Hello all; I haven't had chance to blog since Wednesday so I've got a lot to tell you! Thursday we went to a program called SOOP (Summer of Opportunities Program) which is for young people aged 14-15. It is aimed at giving them essential skills they need to get on in the workplace - such as interview skills, CV making and professional attitude. We all made vision boards that described what we wanted for the future; it was really nice to see that all of the group had high aspirations for themselves and most mentioned giving back to their community once they had become successful. 4 of us went to work with a GD group; this is for young people who for some reason have not been able to finish their High School education. Some were there by Court Order and when we first went in we got quite a wary reception - but it does seem to be amazing where an English accent can get you. Before long all the group were participating; we wrote a list of words to see similarities and differences between our countries - the group was particularly interested in the English money I had brought! On Friday we were back on Summer Camp and it was fieldtrip day - all (over 100 kids) went to a place called "The Clubhouse" where there was Crazy Golf (called Putt Putt here), Go Karting and arcade games for the children to use. They loved it! We did too - I beat one of the Camp Directors on a Car game :) So Friday night we were hosted by Dr. Marie who had previously visited us in Leeds. She lives in Canandaigua, right next to one of the New York Finger Lakes. She and her husband Bob had put on a real spread for us, they must have been cooking all day! After some food we went down to their private jetty on the lake (!) and went out on a speed boat! We made smores over a bonfire (they should definitely be brought to England - melted marshmallow sandwiched with chocolate between 2 sweet crackers). So after a late night last night; we were up bright and early for our Niagara Falls trip. First stop was an American Diner for some breakfast (Pancakes naturally - yes; I will leave America 5 stone heavier, but it has to be done!). We then drove onto Niagara Falls and went on the Maid of the Mist. This is a boat that goes right up to the falls - it was so surreal! We all got absolutely soaked; what we looked like I don't know, completely drenched with these big smiles refusing to leave our faces. The falls are beautiful; I couldn't quite believe I was there. So absolutely sogged; we walked into Hard Rock Cafe for some dinner! (I know, hard life right?) We felt it was only right that we all got ginormous burgers, which is probably why we all fell asleep on the way back to campus. We have now been here a week and it has absolutely flown by; I feel very lucky to be here and to be able to see all these fab things! Gran; I am dead impressed with the new computer skills! Thank you everyone for messaging me; its nice to have snippets of home every night. Lots of Love Jodes xxx