So the last session of the summer was Core Camp, this is where the girls come with their troop and their leaders to experience camp and do all the fun things we have to offer. It's a different setting than having girls without parents and leaders but enjoyable all the same. They were only here for 3 days but they managed to pack all the activities in! It was also my last time canoeing on the Connie for a while so that was sad!
When the troops left we went straight into end of camp cleaning, we spend 2 days intensively cleaning camp so it can be locked up ready for its next programmes throughout the Autumn and Winter. Needless to say it's a tiring couple of days but we finish it off by having a Staff banquet on the Thursday evening. It was a really lovely evening seeing everyone together for the last time, I'm definitely going to miss everyone like crazy! It's been a busy and eventful summer but I couldn't think of anywhere I would rather be!
After an emotional farewell on Friday to all my friends, Petrie came to pick me up and we headed to her house. We ate lunch and then headed to Kennywood; the theme park in Pittsburgh that I have never been to! When we arrived all the rides were shut because of thunder and rain so we wandered around and played games for an hour and a half until the rides re opened. We then got to ride a couple more and the same thing happened again...! The weather was not on our side! Fortunately the weather cleared up and we were able to ride the rest of the rides, it was so much fun! I won a toy turtle which I named Alvin, my aim is to get him home so let's see if he fits in my luggage!
Yesterday and today I have been sleeping a lot and just chilling whilst Petrie has been at work. It's been really nice! It's the calm before the storm of travelling home tomorrow. I can't believe how quickly this summer has gone! I've made more amazing friends and can't wait to (hopefully!) come back next summer!
As I fly home tomorrow this is probably my last blog post! Thank you all for keeping up-to-date with my travels!
Love Charlotte x
Sunday 14 August 2016
Monday 8 August 2016
Last week of residential camp!
So this past week I have had the camp Drama Queens, which my mother pointed out seems quite fitting for me....! There were a group of 5 girls who all loved to sing and dance. Part of their programme promise was to create a music video which they decided they would do to the song "Can't Stop that Feeling" by Justin Timberlake, I think I might have listened to the song over 50 times because it's now going to be eternally etched on my brain!
They came up with a routine and filmed and edited it and showed it to the rest of the camp on Friday. Unfortunately this was the same week a lot of staff were getting sick because of a cough and cold going round. So me being me I caught the "plague" and had to spend a day in the nurses station sleeping and I missed all of the end of the week camp traditions like All Camp Skits and Candlelight, both things that I really really love!
After the girls left we got another weekend off so BugBite, McFly and I headed to McFlys house for food and sleep. We decided we wanted to go back to camp to chill and mess around for a bit so after finding a cute cafe for some brunch we headed back to camp and chilled for the rest of the day. We then made the decision that we wanted real people food for dinner so we went to the local market and bought chicken, asparagus and salad and cooked dinner at camp, it tasted SO good!
We then decided at 10pm we wanted to go on a trip to Walmart so we spent ages in there and then headed back to camp and did some late night tie dye, it was a good day!
I'm currently writing this waiting for more staff to arrive ready for the last check in of 2016... I can't believe how quickly this summer has gone!
Happy Reading!
Charlotte x
They came up with a routine and filmed and edited it and showed it to the rest of the camp on Friday. Unfortunately this was the same week a lot of staff were getting sick because of a cough and cold going round. So me being me I caught the "plague" and had to spend a day in the nurses station sleeping and I missed all of the end of the week camp traditions like All Camp Skits and Candlelight, both things that I really really love!
After the girls left we got another weekend off so BugBite, McFly and I headed to McFlys house for food and sleep. We decided we wanted to go back to camp to chill and mess around for a bit so after finding a cute cafe for some brunch we headed back to camp and chilled for the rest of the day. We then made the decision that we wanted real people food for dinner so we went to the local market and bought chicken, asparagus and salad and cooked dinner at camp, it tasted SO good!
We then decided at 10pm we wanted to go on a trip to Walmart so we spent ages in there and then headed back to camp and did some late night tie dye, it was a good day!
I'm currently writing this waiting for more staff to arrive ready for the last check in of 2016... I can't believe how quickly this summer has gone!
Happy Reading!
Charlotte x
Tuesday 2 August 2016
Cooking, Archery and Singing!!
So this past week I've been with another Iron Chefs camp, but I can actually say that it was a really different experience from the first time I did it. We got to make some much cooler things with the kids which was really fun! For cookout dinner we made Pad Thai and we also made our own guacamole and hummus! Needless to say I ate really well for the week and it made a nice change from the camp food!
All the girls were really good fun and they enjoyed it so much they got very emotional when they had to leave. I love being able to have a positive impact on girls, it really makes this job 100% my favourite thing ever!
This weekend was Me and my Guy camp where dads and daughters come to experience camp together which I think is a lovely idea. They participate in all the different camp activities and it's really nice to see them getting to spend time with their family! The weather was pretty horrible on Saturday so many of the activities were cancelled however one of the dads managed to get his hands on one the radios we use to communicate around camp. The dad then radioed to the archery field (which was meant to be me at that time) to shoot archery. I got absolutely soaked teaching archery but I have never seen dads and daughters have so much fun so it was definitely worth it!
We were all then given about 22 hours off so I got invited out to a meal with one of my camp friends Schmem and her mum, we ended up going to a local Italian restaurant which was really yummy! I got to sleep in late and then do some other cool out of camp stuff!
Right now I'm on break from my new camp, Drama Queens so this should be an interesting camp session!
Think that's it for now!
Happy Reading!
Charlotte x
All the girls were really good fun and they enjoyed it so much they got very emotional when they had to leave. I love being able to have a positive impact on girls, it really makes this job 100% my favourite thing ever!
This weekend was Me and my Guy camp where dads and daughters come to experience camp together which I think is a lovely idea. They participate in all the different camp activities and it's really nice to see them getting to spend time with their family! The weather was pretty horrible on Saturday so many of the activities were cancelled however one of the dads managed to get his hands on one the radios we use to communicate around camp. The dad then radioed to the archery field (which was meant to be me at that time) to shoot archery. I got absolutely soaked teaching archery but I have never seen dads and daughters have so much fun so it was definitely worth it!
We were all then given about 22 hours off so I got invited out to a meal with one of my camp friends Schmem and her mum, we ended up going to a local Italian restaurant which was really yummy! I got to sleep in late and then do some other cool out of camp stuff!
Right now I'm on break from my new camp, Drama Queens so this should be an interesting camp session!
Think that's it for now!
Happy Reading!
Charlotte x
Saturday 23 July 2016
Major blog catch up!
Last weekend was Stay Over Weekend - we had 13 girls that stayed to have a chilled weekend at camp and we did some cool things. On Friday evening we had a cookout and ate Mac N Cheese which was really yummy! Then we headed to the pool and spent the evening splashing around and having some fun time!
On the Saturday we headed to Moraine State Park for a the tortoise talk and then headed to the beach for some swimming. It was a really chilled day and I know the girls really enjoyed it!
on Sunday I was given my 24 hour break as I was given the camp "Thrill Seekers 2.0" which involved a lot of trips out of camp so I needed to fit my break in before then. It was great, I got to sleep a lot thn hung out a lot and then in the evening went out for dinner and a trip to Walmart with Skeeter - that was fun!
I returned to my unit in Monday morning and got to meet the girls I would be spending the week with, they were really nice! We did some normal camp activities and then got ready for the trip the next day. We were heading to a parkour gym (we basically jumped off things!) It was definitely a fun and eventful day! We then headed back to camp in the afternoon!
Tuesday was the day we had to get up at 5.30 in order to leave camp at 6.45 and travel to Ohiopyle for Rock Climbing. We all slept on the bus in anticipation for the rock climbing on a natural rock face. It was really fun but definitely hard work! I have never ached so much in my life! After rock climbing all day, we had another trip to West Virginia to stay at a Girl Scout camp called Roy Weller. It was really nice! Also, I have never been to West Virginia so I am now able to cross that off my list!
The night we slept in a lodge which was definitely a luxury! However, we weren't there long as we had to get up at 6.30 in order to leave by 7.45! We then had an hour drive to the Rafting place. When we arrived we did paperwork then headed out on our 4 hour adventure! The water level was slightly too low so we had to go in individual rafts, that was definitely and experience! But we got a lot more confident as the day went on. I did make one giant mistake... I forgot to wear sunscreen so I am burnt from my head to my toes! Anyway, after the rafting we made our way back to camp.
Yesterday the girls checked out and we have the weekend off to get ready for the next group of girls! I have another Iron Chefs camp so that will be interesting to compare it to last time!
All for now, here's for a day of relaxation!
Happy Reading and sorry I haven't had time to write in a while!
Charlotte x
On the Saturday we headed to Moraine State Park for a the tortoise talk and then headed to the beach for some swimming. It was a really chilled day and I know the girls really enjoyed it!
on Sunday I was given my 24 hour break as I was given the camp "Thrill Seekers 2.0" which involved a lot of trips out of camp so I needed to fit my break in before then. It was great, I got to sleep a lot thn hung out a lot and then in the evening went out for dinner and a trip to Walmart with Skeeter - that was fun!
I returned to my unit in Monday morning and got to meet the girls I would be spending the week with, they were really nice! We did some normal camp activities and then got ready for the trip the next day. We were heading to a parkour gym (we basically jumped off things!) It was definitely a fun and eventful day! We then headed back to camp in the afternoon!
Tuesday was the day we had to get up at 5.30 in order to leave camp at 6.45 and travel to Ohiopyle for Rock Climbing. We all slept on the bus in anticipation for the rock climbing on a natural rock face. It was really fun but definitely hard work! I have never ached so much in my life! After rock climbing all day, we had another trip to West Virginia to stay at a Girl Scout camp called Roy Weller. It was really nice! Also, I have never been to West Virginia so I am now able to cross that off my list!
The night we slept in a lodge which was definitely a luxury! However, we weren't there long as we had to get up at 6.30 in order to leave by 7.45! We then had an hour drive to the Rafting place. When we arrived we did paperwork then headed out on our 4 hour adventure! The water level was slightly too low so we had to go in individual rafts, that was definitely and experience! But we got a lot more confident as the day went on. I did make one giant mistake... I forgot to wear sunscreen so I am burnt from my head to my toes! Anyway, after the rafting we made our way back to camp.
Yesterday the girls checked out and we have the weekend off to get ready for the next group of girls! I have another Iron Chefs camp so that will be interesting to compare it to last time!
All for now, here's for a day of relaxation!
Happy Reading and sorry I haven't had time to write in a while!
Charlotte x
Tuesday 5 July 2016
Horses, horses and more horses!
Ok so I know that this is a really late blog post and I really do apologise! I've been so busy that time has run away from me!
So last week was a really busy week, I had 22 girls for "Paddle and Saddle" which is a horse and canoeing camp. I liked all the girls, however 22 is a lot to have to feed and move around! We spent time at the barn, went canoeing and did all the other camp activities including tie dye and pool time. They were only at camp from Sunday to Wednesday as it was a mini session but I was still able to bond and get to know them pretty well!
This week I have had "Blazing Saddles" yep you guessed it, another horse camp! This is level 3 of the 5 level programme Redwing has to offer. This week we've only had 14 girls so it's been more manageable but still just as fun! We've done loads of cool things and they have all developed their horse riding skills so much which is great to watch!
This weekend is stay over weekend, a weekend where girls that are already at camp and girls that are coming in for the next session can stay at the weekend and have some camp fun! Myself and a couple of other counsellors are staying to help and I think the plan is to go to the beach and something involving turtles, terrapins and tortoises!
I think that is all for now, I'm hoping I can post sooner next time!
Happy Reading!
Charlotte x
So last week was a really busy week, I had 22 girls for "Paddle and Saddle" which is a horse and canoeing camp. I liked all the girls, however 22 is a lot to have to feed and move around! We spent time at the barn, went canoeing and did all the other camp activities including tie dye and pool time. They were only at camp from Sunday to Wednesday as it was a mini session but I was still able to bond and get to know them pretty well!
This week I have had "Blazing Saddles" yep you guessed it, another horse camp! This is level 3 of the 5 level programme Redwing has to offer. This week we've only had 14 girls so it's been more manageable but still just as fun! We've done loads of cool things and they have all developed their horse riding skills so much which is great to watch!
This weekend is stay over weekend, a weekend where girls that are already at camp and girls that are coming in for the next session can stay at the weekend and have some camp fun! Myself and a couple of other counsellors are staying to help and I think the plan is to go to the beach and something involving turtles, terrapins and tortoises!
I think that is all for now, I'm hoping I can post sooner next time!
Happy Reading!
Charlotte x
camp(s) and 4th of July!
I'm sorry I'm sorry.... I know I haven't updated my blog in a while but it's been a hectic week!
I had a group of Iron Chef girls coming in on Monday which, clue from the name, involves cooking - which I think the girls and I really enjoyed! They got to make scones, rocky road bars, smoothies and had a "cake off" and a tea party to celebrate all of the fab baking they had done! Not to mention that the cookouts were by the far the best I've had so far this summer... Mostly because we got to cook on an oven rather than over the fire!!!! Everything cooks way too slow on the fire!! It's been great to see the girls grow over the week, we had 3 first time Redwingers this time and they all couldn't wait to apply to come back next summer, meaning I have done my job in spreading the amazingness of my favourite place to others!
Straight after the girls left on Friday a Mom and me camp came in... It was exhausting! I do like these types of camps as you don't have to be in charge of campers 24/7 but it's hard to form the same type of bond with the kids when they're mums are around. Because of this, we are they to facilitate the activities the mum's and girls do which is pretty fun! We also get to do some things that we don't normally do on a weekly basis.
Unfortunately, some of our cooks were away and some of the jobs on the rota were to help in the kitchen.... Guess who got that job.... This guy! So on Saturday evening me and two other counsellors prepped dinner for over 70 people.... I have never chopped so many heads of lettuce in my life! Anyway needless to say the 1 hour slot turned into 3 hours after serving everyone and washing all the dishes up! We were exhausted! We had a small break and then got back out to being with the mum's and kids for a hoedown!
Sunday soon came and all the mum's and daughters packed up and left. We cleaned and had a staff meeting... After that, Scooby and I left pretty swiftly in order to have as much time off as possible! We arrived back at her house where we ran some errands and then had a barbecue with her parents which was really lovely. We then chilled in the garden and had a fire in the evening.
Today is 4th July! Happy Independance Day America! I have done literally nothing all day and it has been great! We took Scooby's dog Nala for a walk and then chilled around the house all day doing fun stuff, it's been really lovely to relax and spend time with one of my closest friends!
Tomorrow a new camp week starts! I have a canoe and riding camp which should be good!
Hope to update soon!
Happy Reading!
Charlotte xx
Sunday 26 June 2016
So much has happened!!
So since the last time I wrote I have done so many things!
The first week of camp is over and I cannot believe it! My unit only had 5 girls (4 of which I had in my unit last summer) and they were awesome, honestly I could not have asked for a better week to start the camp season! I mean I did have a horse camp which I have to say are not my favourite but all the same the week went really well!
So yesterday we finished cleaning after the girls left and we then got to go on break which (I think) is one of the longest times we have off, so my new camp buddy BugBite (her really name is Sammy) invited me to stay at her house. We arrived around 8, came in, got changed and headed out to get some food. We ended up picking another camp friend, Wallaby up to go get food at a really nice restaurant called Bonefish Grill - it was SO nice to get some real food!! I had seared tuna which was amazing!! Then we headed back and slept really well!
So today we decided to go and explore Pittsburgh which was really cool! We headed to the strip district with some cute shops and AMAZING DONUTS!!!!!
Then we headed to South side which is a really nice area where we did some shopping and wandered around for a while. After purchasing a bag we headed to meet a few other international staff members for lunch at a place called the Porch in Schenley Park.
BugBite and I then headed back to her house to get changed and head out to dinner at a place called the Spaghetti Warehouse, just as the name states, we are a lot of pasta!! I also got a balloon hat made for me by a balloon artist!
We then headed to a place with a giant waterfall and got some really cute photos!! Unfortunately I need other people to send them to me so I can't upload them at the moment!
That's it for now, heading back to camp for around noon to start week 2.... I have a cooking camp!
Happy Reading!
Charlotte xx
The first week of camp is over and I cannot believe it! My unit only had 5 girls (4 of which I had in my unit last summer) and they were awesome, honestly I could not have asked for a better week to start the camp season! I mean I did have a horse camp which I have to say are not my favourite but all the same the week went really well!
So yesterday we finished cleaning after the girls left and we then got to go on break which (I think) is one of the longest times we have off, so my new camp buddy BugBite (her really name is Sammy) invited me to stay at her house. We arrived around 8, came in, got changed and headed out to get some food. We ended up picking another camp friend, Wallaby up to go get food at a really nice restaurant called Bonefish Grill - it was SO nice to get some real food!! I had seared tuna which was amazing!! Then we headed back and slept really well!
So today we decided to go and explore Pittsburgh which was really cool! We headed to the strip district with some cute shops and AMAZING DONUTS!!!!!
Then we headed to South side which is a really nice area where we did some shopping and wandered around for a while. After purchasing a bag we headed to meet a few other international staff members for lunch at a place called the Porch in Schenley Park.
BugBite and I then headed back to her house to get changed and head out to dinner at a place called the Spaghetti Warehouse, just as the name states, we are a lot of pasta!! I also got a balloon hat made for me by a balloon artist!
We then headed to a place with a giant waterfall and got some really cute photos!! Unfortunately I need other people to send them to me so I can't upload them at the moment!
That's it for now, heading back to camp for around noon to start week 2.... I have a cooking camp!
Happy Reading!
Charlotte xx
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