Hey all,

So, once again my mind fails and I can't remember what I have and haven't told people. Just skip past things if you feel yourself dropping to sleep. I had a pretty good NUTS, the kids slept well and the view of the stars from the tennis courts is beautiful. Sleeping on a concrete surface perhaps isn't the best idea ever, but I'm the queen of thinking things through once I've already done them!

Antietam was amazing. It's a pretty long journey from here and the camp failed to warn us we had some pretty severely car sick children, but having dealt with that dilemma we were having a brilliant time. It's amazing how many of the kids have no idea what the civil war was. It happened all around them! We're sandwiched between a mass of important historical sites (think Gettysburg, Antietam). We did a self guided drive tour around, after watching a re-enactment video. The scale of things really shocked me. I wasn't ready for the size and numbers of it all. The tour ended up at the cemetary, and whilst I don't think it hit home for the campers, it did with the three of us. In the one day battle, there were about 23,000 casualties.

On Friday, ACA (the american camp association) came to see us. They come every three years and assess the camp, and you need their aproval to run. The parents look at the ratings as well. It's like ofsted in the camp world. Everyone was really stressed, and manic. We had an insane amount of kids down on the ropes course. About 50 people to only 25 helmets. But we got through it and we got 100%, so everyone is happy. We still have a maryland youth safety act group coming to look soon though, so that will be the next thing!

We went to Jill's last night for time off, so I actually got some proper sleep. We watched TV this morning (what a massive luxury!) and then I went shopping and to the cinema. I had forgotten about the normal things ppeople do outside of camp!

I'm sad to think camp is almost over. I've only just started to properly settle into the swing of things and feel totally confident with the work we do. I want tor un more of my own trips and come up with new ideas! I think I'm going to have to come back. I really love it here. Camp is very welcoming and friendly. It's very much a family feeling. We've got amazing facilities and I don't want to leave. I still can't believe I get to run the activities I do! Still, can't wait for my roadtrip in only 2 weeks! I'm going to go and sort out some dinner now.

Lots of love to you all xxx