First blog from the U.S.A!

COUNTRY: USA
PROGRAM: GapBreak
PROJECT: Building, renovation & conservation
WRITTEN BY: Ewan Tracey

After a long and tiresome twenty-one hour journey I arrived in New York City. I stayed at a hostel filled with other people going to summer camp, but unfortunately I found no one else going to Summit Camp. The next morning, however, I hopped on the bus with twenty-five other camp specialists and athletics instructors (AI). Arriving at camp was a bit of a nerve-racking experience as we all walked into a dining room filled with people who had already been at camp for a week. Luckily, everyone was super friendly and inviting so it was easy to get to know everyone.

My first week at the camp was orientation week for the waterfront and adventure staff as well as the specialists and the AI team. It mainly consisted of getting-to-know-you games and getting the instructors’ enthusiasm levels up. My team (AI) was responsible for organising the round-robin night which was essentially an excuse for everyone to dress up in silly costumes (in this case, the round-robin was sci-fi themed). The orientation continued with getting all the athletics areas organised and meeting new people.

After ten days of orientation, the big day had arrived - the kids had come to camp! I spent the first day outside on the basketball courts in the 30+ degree heat. Every hour or so I would go to my bunk to meet the kids who were slowly arriving. I was placed in a lower boys bunk (7 to 9 year-olds). They are full of so much energy, but I only see them in the morning, night, and the occasional free period I get. Most of the day is filled up with different sports that I am assisting with or teaching. The past two days we have had general AI (where all the kids do the same sport) and AI combo (where the kids can choose from 4-5 sports to play).

This week during our general AI sessions we have been playing baseball, so I have learnt plenty of tricks from the softball/baseball specialist who used to play college softball. Meals have been surprisingly good, however, some of the returning staff have told me that the food goes downhill from when the kids arrive. Fingers crossed that doesn't happen!!! Day three of camp has just finished and I am super tired, but super excited for the rest of camp!