Sunday, August 9, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Nights and days off
A quick update on what I have done in my nights and days off! Last Wednesday there about 60+ of us who rented a big house for the night about half an hour from camp. This is something that we did on our own accord and is not set up by camp although they help us out as much as they can if we need any help. We try to book and do things together because it makes it cheaper and better. Needless to say that the night was a great success. The hot tub was packed, the patio party went on well into the early morning / breakfast time and stories flew around camp the next day about some of the naughty things that went on! Obviously not with me!
This week I was a little restricted on what I could do as my boys had their Soccer (football) Wayne county final which is a big achievement to get to so I decided to stay and coach it. Although we lost 2-1 the kids enjoyed it, which at camp is the most important element about any sport or activity. Then in the afternoon I drove with some friends to Woodbury Common premium outlets, Basically the biggest shopping centre I have ever seen with every brand name you could think of! I have never seen so many shops in one area. We spent the whole afternoon their and maybe only covered about a third of the shops! If you love shopping then definitely try and get to one of these because they are about 30% cheaper than the cities! Happy Shopping!
This week I was a little restricted on what I could do as my boys had their Soccer (football) Wayne county final which is a big achievement to get to so I decided to stay and coach it. Although we lost 2-1 the kids enjoyed it, which at camp is the most important element about any sport or activity. Then in the afternoon I drove with some friends to Woodbury Common premium outlets, Basically the biggest shopping centre I have ever seen with every brand name you could think of! I have never seen so many shops in one area. We spent the whole afternoon their and maybe only covered about a third of the shops! If you love shopping then definitely try and get to one of these because they are about 30% cheaper than the cities! Happy Shopping!
Trip week
This week has been totally different to all the others because the majority of camp (juniors, seniors, supers, teens and CIT's) are all away on trips. I'm not sure if this happens at other camps but all the upper age groups go away to various places. This year they went to Toronto, Vancouver, Cooperstown and Boston I believe. Some real good places which I would love to go but unfortunately the freshmen don't sleep away so I had to settle for a water park on Tuesday which was still awesome.
Right now when all the upper camp is away the younger age groups love it because they have the whole camp to themselves and can do whatever they like (within reason). Today and tomorrow we have pudding wrestling and animal hunt which are 2 activities that everyone looks forward to, especially the counselors who get to take part. Pudding wrestling is self explanatory, a big swimming pool full of chocolate pudding and counselors wrestle. Animal hunt is were half the counselors get dressed up as animals (last year I wore a 6ft penguin outfit) and then get chased by the kids and remaining counselors. Every animal has a points value depending on their speed and when caught that group gets those points. Now being an animal is not for the feint hearted! Imagine trying to run away from nearly 150 kids for nearly an hour while trying to dodge counselors who Will do ANYTHING to get you down!
Will let you know how it goes next week. Happy Camping!
Right now when all the upper camp is away the younger age groups love it because they have the whole camp to themselves and can do whatever they like (within reason). Today and tomorrow we have pudding wrestling and animal hunt which are 2 activities that everyone looks forward to, especially the counselors who get to take part. Pudding wrestling is self explanatory, a big swimming pool full of chocolate pudding and counselors wrestle. Animal hunt is were half the counselors get dressed up as animals (last year I wore a 6ft penguin outfit) and then get chased by the kids and remaining counselors. Every animal has a points value depending on their speed and when caught that group gets those points. Now being an animal is not for the feint hearted! Imagine trying to run away from nearly 150 kids for nearly an hour while trying to dodge counselors who Will do ANYTHING to get you down!
Will let you know how it goes next week. Happy Camping!
Visiting Day!!
Well, what a day this was!! The children that come to Tyler Hill spend just under 8 weeks here, which for my boys (8 years old) is along time to spend without seeing their parents. So, half way through the summer they have a day in which all family and friends of the children can come and visit. It is a crazy day! I have never seen so much candy, hugging, amazing cars and excitement leading up to one day, it still surprises me in my 3rd year. The day for a counselor is very different because the parents take care of the children so you we stay by the bunk and answer questions on what items are missing and how their child has been and for this one day the food is AMAZING!
The end of this day is obviously a sad time when they realise they can see there parents again for another 4 weeks so we have a massive water fight over the whole camp, kid of like what you did in your back garden with some friends except this time there are nearly 500 people playing!
So this day is definitely something to look forward to every year, But sad that it marks over half way!
The end of this day is obviously a sad time when they realise they can see there parents again for another 4 weeks so we have a massive water fight over the whole camp, kid of like what you did in your back garden with some friends except this time there are nearly 500 people playing!
So this day is definitely something to look forward to every year, But sad that it marks over half way!
Friday, July 17, 2009
The weeks are rolling by!
Seems like yesterday that I wrote the last one but it was well over a week now! Definitely settled back into the routine. The children at Tyler Hill stay for 8 weeks, which is good because unlike some camps were the kids leave after a week, here you get to build in the relationships that you make in the first weeks. Got a great bunch of kids this year, their enthusiastic and just like your average 8 year old. As speciality staff I don't get to see them as much as I would like but I get to see different kids all day which is nice.
Been a hectic week and a half. On camp we have had movie nights, laser quest, pool parties, a massive fireworks display for 4th July, loads of tournaments and divisional games. I've used my days off to get away from the camp for the day, which is my choice but there are potentially lots of things you can do on camp. This week I went to New York City, went to stand up comedy show with a few other guys on camp and then had a look round the city the next day. Next week we are trying to plan a trip to theme park. There are always events going on, but they are totally optional, it really is done to you -what you want to get involved with.
I'm using the nights that I am on duty to get some good sleep in, which would be my advice to anyone thinking of coming to camp. If you try to stay up every night you just burn out and get stressed out at the same time. Visiting day next week, but that's a whole new story I'll update you on next week!
Been a hectic week and a half. On camp we have had movie nights, laser quest, pool parties, a massive fireworks display for 4th July, loads of tournaments and divisional games. I've used my days off to get away from the camp for the day, which is my choice but there are potentially lots of things you can do on camp. This week I went to New York City, went to stand up comedy show with a few other guys on camp and then had a look round the city the next day. Next week we are trying to plan a trip to theme park. There are always events going on, but they are totally optional, it really is done to you -what you want to get involved with.
I'm using the nights that I am on duty to get some good sleep in, which would be my advice to anyone thinking of coming to camp. If you try to stay up every night you just burn out and get stressed out at the same time. Visiting day next week, but that's a whole new story I'll update you on next week!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
First couple of days
Getting back into the routine of daily activities is great. As Soccer Director I have a slightly different role that I am used to but I'm loving it so far. The children are generally enthusiastic and I'm outside coaching them different things, what could be better.............Well, the weather could be. It seems like it has rained constantly since we have been here and right now we have thunder and lightening! When it is not raining though I'm nicely working on my farmers tan!
So, routine. I'm up at 7.30am everyday. Quick shower before the kids have to get up so I'm ready before they are. With the youngest campers they are generally up early anyway so mornings are not too much of a problem. Load up on food at breakfast, an athletics meeting and 3 coaching periods take me through to lunch. Another 3 periods after lunch and then its dinner. After dinner I'm no longer at my specialty area and join in whatever evening activity has been planned with my bunk. At 9.30pm my kids have to be in bed. Then, I'm either on duty or off. I'm on duty 2 nights a week which leaves me potentially 5 off and Saturday which everyone has to stay on camp. I have to sign back in before 12.30 when I am off, so that's gives me a couple of hours to myself to either head into town (old school town from the wild west movies, no joke!) hit the gym or chill with other counselors on camp who also have the evening off.
I have tomorrow and tonight off which is great as its my birthday tomorrow. I'm trying to book a room at a local motel so we can stay out and I can have a few ribena's at the local water hole, but we'll see whats happens. What is for sure is that although I will miss friends on such a day, it beats going to the same old places, it will be a different type of birthday which I'm looking forward to.
Speak soon.
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