A Postcard From Virginia - My Camp America Experience
Well, hello!
It’s been a while since I’ve blogged, eh?
In fact, it’s been exactly 2 months since I’ve last blogged. WHAAAT?!
A lot has happened since then and this blog post is going to fill you in on some of my adventures. I mean, there’s really too many super fun things that’ve happened to fit into one blog post but, I’ll do my best. Also, I can’t wait to see my friends in Scotland again so I can fill them in on some of the behind-the-scenes hilarity too!
On Saturday 28th May, I flew from Glasgow in Scotland (in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, you guys) to Virginia in the United States of America! Getting to that point was a year long journey. It was a thorough recruitment and vetting process through Camp America but, I really learned a lot about myself in the process - it’s also great that they take the safety of everyone involved so seriously and fully prepare all their applicants for the best summer of their lives! I felt fully supported by the Camp America team throughout the whole J1-Visa application process as well. Sidebar, the new US embassy in London is pure lovely.
Anyhoo, I’ve now been here at Camp Friendship, VA for 2 months and it’s been amazing! Like, really truly crazy amazing.
In my role of Senior Village 1 Supervisor, I supervise a village of up to 50 young people and a team of 6 adult councilors. In my village we have councilors from South Africa, England, Scotland, the Republic of Ireland and America - so it’s a really diverse group of individuals who each come to Camp Friendship from different backgrounds with unique workplace experiences and life perspectives.
In terms of the campers, we’ve had young people from the US, France, Mexico, the UK and China. The fun thing is that SV1 isn't the only village! Here at Camp Friendship we also have Junior Girls, Junior Boys and the Senior Village 2.
So, as you can see, Camp Friendship really is a diverse place and it’s this diversity that’s one of the best things about it. People from all over the world, all coming together—in peace—to have adventures and make memories that’ll last a lifetime.
The on-site facilities and activities offered at Camp Friendship are super impressive. I actually spent my first 2 days getting completely lost because the camp is so much bigger than I expected. The activities offered to campers are: archery (junior and senior), paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, water zumba, yoga, dance, drama, mountain boarding, mountain biking, Dungeons & Dragons, pretty much all the sports [SPORTS!!!] you can think of and tennis - taught by a professional instructor!
Speaking of professionals, I’m now an accredited archery instructor within the US and also hold a Virginia State driving license. OOOOH! So, in addition to supervising a village full of campers and counselors, I’ve been instructing archery classes and teaching yoga, whilst also driving staff to cultural exchange experiences - things like a baseball game, loads of Walmart trips (the place where dreams are truly made) and even a theme park trip too. This Saturday we’re going on a trip to a national park, so expect some truly amazing Instagram photos!
I’ve also been busy in my free time too; with rock climbing, peach picking and dinners out in Charlottesville - which, by the way, is a beautiful little town full of beautiful people.
In amongst all this madness are the other extras for the campers. Things like our crazy evening activities, which include: Powder Fairies, our enormous slip-and-slide, a quiz night with karaoke and Pool Olympics...just to name a few. We also have cook-outs and the infamous Color Wars!!!
Okay ladies, let's get into formation. 💅 Color Wars is an annual event at Camp Friendship, where the whole camp is divided-up into 3 teams. What follows is a series of challenges and events that result in one team being crowned victorious!
So that’s just some of the stuff I’ve been up to with the team here at Camp Friendship.
On a more serious note, there’s been some really tough moments this summer too. Mostly revolving around endurance and perseverance - both physically and emotionally. Working in a summer camp is exhausting! Who knew facilitating fun for hundreds of young people could be so tiring?! Haha!
Also, young people from all types of backgrounds have challenges and struggles that they have to work through. You see, we only get to see them for a week or two and then they go back to the real world and continue to grow and develop with these challenges and struggles being a continual presence in their lives. It’s tough but it’s also amazing to see these young people work through their personal issues here at camp - whether it be social anxieties and self-esteem issues or a turbulent home life. To see them coming out the other side of their week here at camp, with a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of empowerment is truly remarkable.
The role of SV1 supervisor at Camp Friendship really has been my favourite job role to date! It’s been emotionally challenging and physically exhausting in ways that I can’t even begin to describe here but it’s also been a most rewarding experience. I’ve met some of the most wonderful people - both campers and staff! People who fully demonstrate the meaning of perseverance, passion, endurance and excellence. They’re they kind of people you’d be lucky to be in a team with - people who showcase integrity and determination.
From a personal perspective, deciding to do Camp America was the best decision I’ve ever made. It’s grown and developed me in ways I couldn’t have even expected. I can, without a doubt, say:
“I was born and raised in Scotland but I was MADE in America.”
Anyoo, speak to you later. I’ve got one more month of adventures to be had and some traveling in Washington D.C to do.
G-bye.