Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Its been ages since ive blogged so thought it was about time I made an entry!
My week in Kentucky was fantastic. It was so much fun. I enjoyed my first ever Baseball game and even ended up with one of the baseballs (sadly I cant say that I caught it). With a recommendation from Leanne I tried red velvet cheesecake from the cheesecake factory, it was amazing! For Memorial day we had a BBQ at Ashleys house and I made everyone chocolate crispy pie for pudding which went down well. Cooking 'Toad in the Hole' for 4 Americans was a bit nerve wracking, but having found Bisto Gravy granuals I knew it could only get better.
We also visited David's parents house to meet all of their animal. As you can see their one dog is HUGE! His paw is the size of my hand. They had horses, cats, fish, birds and chickens too so it was a fun filled afternoon.
I also very much enjoyed a trip to a bourbon brewery! Seeing the process was fascinating, but I dont think I will ever be convinced that the taste of bourbon is nice.
So now im in Loch Sheldrake in the Catskill Mountains, NY for another summer working at Stagedoor Manor which is a theatre camp for teenagers aged 10-18. We do three session of three weeks long with about 280 kids each session. Its a fantastic place and great fun.
Before the kids arrived I worked as part of the pre-camp team, cleaning and organising the camp after it had been shut down for the winter. We make the most of pre-camp working 9-5 as now the kids are here my day starts at 8.00am and never finishes before 11.15pm!
A couple of weeks ago I took a visit to a place called 'The Blue Lagoon' in an area called 'Peekamoose'. There are some picture but basically its a large mountain stream/river that runs into a lagoon area. Luckily it was a hot day as water pouring straight out of a mountain is FREEZING and jumping in took our breath away. But a picnic and some cold swimming made for a very refreshing day.
We took a trip to the mall and discovered a vending machine for candy floss! It was rather exciting after being stuck on camp for a while.
Ive got involved with organising events for the staff at camp as well. We had a games evening spent playing silly kids games with balloons, oranges, flour and chocolate! The sports evening was interesting, egg and spoon races, tug of war etc. We even found a terapin trying to join in the fun.
I think one of the highlights would have to be the Nerf War. Everyone got hold of Nerf gun which fire foam bullets. We created two teams with war paint and full on outfits and played a huge game of capture the flag across camp. I dont think ive laughed so much in a long time (or felt so unfit!) I had a tiny gun that would only fire three bullets before I had to re-load so when faced with guys with full on machine guns with electronic motors I felt like I didnt have a chance...but what I discovered is that when boys get hold of a massive gun they seem to think they are indistructible and pay no attention to a small me hiding in the bushes until they pass so that I can run up behind them and shoot them in the back!
We became so competitive a wheelie bin even became part of our team as a moving sheild.
The kids have now arrived so our silly games have dies down. Im working as a group leader and have 5 councillors and thirty 16-18year olds in my care. The kids are great though and im really enjoying myself. Each evening we have a different activity with them. Last night it was the staff show where we all get up and perform for the kids so thirty of us changed the lyrics to Bohemian Rhapsody to be appropriate to the life here at Stagedoor. The kids seemed to enjoy it.
Tonight is the DJ dance (basically a big disco) and im always amazed at just how short the skirts can get. But its normally good fun as we have a bit of a dance with the kids too.
Tomorrow we heard all 280 of them to the movies for the afternoon so thats always interesting...
We also have now gained 3 kittens. A stray cat had given birth to them inside one of the set workshop cupboards so we have been watching them since they were about two weeks old and waiting for the right time to separate them from mum so they can go to good homes. They dont have much chance of survival up here in the woods so we are now caring for them until they can go to a home. They are beautiful and are keeping us amused. This evening they discovered just how fun toilet paper can be when you rip it and roll around in it.
Think thats about all I have to say for now. I will try to get better at updating on here but finding time is always tricky. I am yet to go to bed before 12.30am but hopefully things will calm down soon. Hope everyones well at home. Its always good to hear what people are up to! Either via Facebook or email. Em x Ps- Have added more photos to the album 2nd & 3rd Stops :)
- comments