Jul 16 - 24
The session during this duration is the most challenging one I have so far. Adventure Sports had 11 campers and I had 6 highly energetic campers in my patrol. I loved these bunch of campers dearly. All 6 of them are so unique in their charateristics and personality. They are utterly bubblelicious and full of imagination. On the first day, I taught them a game called Dead Mosquito (something learnt from AIESEC days) and they in turn taught me Dead Bugs.
For a few days, I was supposed to call them the 'Super Heroes' Patrol. They rehearsed a routine as part of end of day flags and they each were a Super Hero character - their ultimate duty was to save the Flag! I had 'Super Stripes' with her stripey beach towel as the cape, 'Super Pudding' - the one with extra super powers if she eats any pudding especially chocolate ones, and etc...
Also, because of their hyperness....they injure themselves quite often. I have been using a lot of stuffs from the First Aid Kit as well as plenty of visits to the Health Lodge. I catch up with Ace and Puppy very often there on these visits. No kidding, tending to injuries takes up almost 15 - 30 mins on a daily basis.
4 days later, they became spa specialists - turning one of their tents into a SPA centre with massage, foot reflexology , hair styling and other pampering services that was offered. Extremely creative. Eva (a Polish staff) had the opportunity to receive the first spa treatment from the group while Gizmo (upon her return from Discover Lake George program) got a birthday surprise from them too.
The Adv. Sports program is absolutely exciting. Both Atlas and myself enjoyed ourselves with the campers as they went through activities such as Canoeing, Kayaking, low ropes course, rock climbing as well as the 5hrs, 8 mins and 4 secs hike to and fro Buck Mt. The view up at the summit is absolutely breathtaking and we had a lovely lunch up there and met 'Lucky' the dog too who was up climbing with his owners.
After this session, 10 of us prepared to travel out of camp for our 3 days break to Philadelphia!
I will return to camp for the Footlights session next -it's a program where we conduct drama, stage and acting courses with the campers. I'm looking forward to it!
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Jul 11
Just before we started our next session, about a group of us headed to Lake George for an overnight stay. There’s Honeyduke, Coke, Jib, Dolphin, Pik, Taz, Gatorade, Atlas, Pooh and of course myself.
After a hearty meal at The Olive Garden and a few laughs over someone’s fascination over a waiter/bus-boy and the attempts of hitting on him. … see what a Girls Scout camp can do to you, we went on to The Aviation Mall to catch a movie later on and while waiting for the show to start, we took several wacky shots. Bewitched starring Nicole Kidman, was our pick.
Next morning, I went off to cash my first pay-check with Taz and Honeyduke. Went to the bank without brushing my teeth or washing my face. Eeeewww – how awful! Can’t help it, was desperate for the money you see because we wanted to dash off to the outlets at Lake George to shop! Also, the huge bunch of people were queuing anyway for the showers in the motel room. Polo Ralph Lauren, Timberland, Coach, Gap – here I come!!!
I hate it when we raced against time just to get back to camp after the 24 hours…
Jul 12 – 14
I worked with Atlas at the next session with the Brownies. We had 7 active campers with incredible amounts of energy. Kind of tough for both of us initially because we haven’t dealt with kids at this age group in our earlier sessions. I just don’t have enough stamina to play duck, duck goose anymore……help….help..
After dinner on Jul 13, the campers were sent running all over camp looking for the person who stole the dessert! This was part of an All-Camp Event: CLUE.
The evening before they left, we had S’mores at the unit house fireplace. S’mores is a favorite and popular snack made from roasted marshmallows sandwiched with Graham crackers and chocolate bars. Atlas taught me how to do it! It would have been great if we had it at the campfire ring instead but we figured it could be harder to control the young ones who had had a hyper event 15 minutes earlier searching for clues to track down the thief.
After that, they were all sent to sleep straight-away, well not after a few “I can’t find my toothbrush, I can’t find my PJs (pajamas) and the zipper to my sleeping bag won’t work”. Phew! !... Knocked out by 11pm.
In the middle of the night, Coke and her older group of girls came around 2am to bring cookies and milk to a few of Dolphin’s campers. The next day, we pretended that it was just a dream….and that no one was up with cookies and milk.
Jul 14
Brownies go home and we begin our 24 hour at 3pm. Got some fresh battery supplies and a new flashlight (torchlight back home). We stopped at a gas station just before reaching camp so that Dolphin can get herself an ice-cream and to my delight I found instant noodles! I didn’t care if it was only a brand and 2 flavors to choose from. 'Sapu 4 peket' and talked the rest in joining me for a late night supper.
We did the cook-out at IMAG with borrowed pots and utensils from Timagami. Dolphin and I saved a cup of it for Coke, even though it meant walking over to Sleepy Hollow to wake her up. We laughed a bit and took some scary shots of Who, Coke, Roxy and Joey jumping out of their beds when we came into their wooden cabins.
After lazing around at IMAG for another half hour, we headed back to our units to sleep. Got to wake up early the next day so that I can call the Canadian Consular Office regarding my visa to Canada.
Just before we started our next session, about a group of us headed to Lake George for an overnight stay. There’s Honeyduke, Coke, Jib, Dolphin, Pik, Taz, Gatorade, Atlas, Pooh and of course myself.
After a hearty meal at The Olive Garden and a few laughs over someone’s fascination over a waiter/bus-boy and the attempts of hitting on him. … see what a Girls Scout camp can do to you, we went on to The Aviation Mall to catch a movie later on and while waiting for the show to start, we took several wacky shots. Bewitched starring Nicole Kidman, was our pick.
Next morning, I went off to cash my first pay-check with Taz and Honeyduke. Went to the bank without brushing my teeth or washing my face. Eeeewww – how awful! Can’t help it, was desperate for the money you see because we wanted to dash off to the outlets at Lake George to shop! Also, the huge bunch of people were queuing anyway for the showers in the motel room. Polo Ralph Lauren, Timberland, Coach, Gap – here I come!!!
I hate it when we raced against time just to get back to camp after the 24 hours…
Jul 12 – 14
I worked with Atlas at the next session with the Brownies. We had 7 active campers with incredible amounts of energy. Kind of tough for both of us initially because we haven’t dealt with kids at this age group in our earlier sessions. I just don’t have enough stamina to play duck, duck goose anymore……help….help..
After dinner on Jul 13, the campers were sent running all over camp looking for the person who stole the dessert! This was part of an All-Camp Event: CLUE.
The evening before they left, we had S’mores at the unit house fireplace. S’mores is a favorite and popular snack made from roasted marshmallows sandwiched with Graham crackers and chocolate bars. Atlas taught me how to do it! It would have been great if we had it at the campfire ring instead but we figured it could be harder to control the young ones who had had a hyper event 15 minutes earlier searching for clues to track down the thief.
After that, they were all sent to sleep straight-away, well not after a few “I can’t find my toothbrush, I can’t find my PJs (pajamas) and the zipper to my sleeping bag won’t work”. Phew! !... Knocked out by 11pm.
In the middle of the night, Coke and her older group of girls came around 2am to bring cookies and milk to a few of Dolphin’s campers. The next day, we pretended that it was just a dream….and that no one was up with cookies and milk.
Jul 14
Brownies go home and we begin our 24 hour at 3pm. Got some fresh battery supplies and a new flashlight (torchlight back home). We stopped at a gas station just before reaching camp so that Dolphin can get herself an ice-cream and to my delight I found instant noodles! I didn’t care if it was only a brand and 2 flavors to choose from. 'Sapu 4 peket' and talked the rest in joining me for a late night supper.
We did the cook-out at IMAG with borrowed pots and utensils from Timagami. Dolphin and I saved a cup of it for Coke, even though it meant walking over to Sleepy Hollow to wake her up. We laughed a bit and took some scary shots of Who, Coke, Roxy and Joey jumping out of their beds when we came into their wooden cabins.
After lazing around at IMAG for another half hour, we headed back to our units to sleep. Got to wake up early the next day so that I can call the Canadian Consular Office regarding my visa to Canada.
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Jul 8 - 10
Troop Camp is a little easy on us because we don't have to worry about the campers a night since the respective troop leaders (the adults/parents) will take care of them. For the Troop Camp weekend, I was also assisting Joey at IMAG. We thought Brownies how to make 'Yarn Bugs', the Juniors made a hand-craft with ice-cream sticks and the Cadettes made a hand bracelet. The sessions at IMAG was extremely hectic as everyone seem to arrive earlier than they were supposed to. The rain somehow sent them there earlier I guess. It was quite a pity that some outdoor activities were not held due to the almost daily rain during the entire weekend.
All I know is I was dreaming of 'Yarn Bugs' after the day was done. All 91 'Yarn Bugs' made by the brownies! Joey and I just laughed.......
In the evening, we held the International Night as well. This time the response was even better than the last round because we had the adults participating as well.
We left for Lake George again for our 24 hour break after the Troops left. Rest, rest and then back to camp for Session III preparation.
Troop Camp is a little easy on us because we don't have to worry about the campers a night since the respective troop leaders (the adults/parents) will take care of them. For the Troop Camp weekend, I was also assisting Joey at IMAG. We thought Brownies how to make 'Yarn Bugs', the Juniors made a hand-craft with ice-cream sticks and the Cadettes made a hand bracelet. The sessions at IMAG was extremely hectic as everyone seem to arrive earlier than they were supposed to. The rain somehow sent them there earlier I guess. It was quite a pity that some outdoor activities were not held due to the almost daily rain during the entire weekend.
All I know is I was dreaming of 'Yarn Bugs' after the day was done. All 91 'Yarn Bugs' made by the brownies! Joey and I just laughed.......
In the evening, we held the International Night as well. This time the response was even better than the last round because we had the adults participating as well.
We left for Lake George again for our 24 hour break after the Troops left. Rest, rest and then back to camp for Session III preparation.
For everyone's awareness of my schedule and the days I am on break where I may check emails or update my blog:
Session III : Jul 12 – 17
24 hour break: Jul 17 - 18
Session IV: Jul 19 – 24
3 day break: Jul 24 – 27
Session V: Jul 28 – Aug 2
24 hour break: Aug 2 – 3
Session VI: Aug 4 – 9
Post Camp: Aug 9 - 12
We started Session II on Jul 2.
Jul 2 – 7
Throughout this session, I have been assigned to help out Joey at the arts & crafts center – The IMAG – which is short for the Imagination Station. In 1995, IMAG was dedicated to Fran Plummer by the Hudson Valley Girl Scouts Council in memory of her dedication and service to Camp Little Notch. From what I have gathered from counselors who were previously campers, Fran held a competition to name the arts & crafts centre and the winning name came to be ‘The Imagination Station’ – pretty much describes this place which I have the privilege of working in for the week.
A corner of IMAG also houses some historical artifacts gathered from the furnace located within the camp which used to weld metal items during the civil war era. The hike to the furnace or as it is popularly known as "The Furnace Trail" is one of the activities incorporated in some programs. I have not gone on the Furnace Trail yet but I am sure I will do so in one of the coming programs.
The first few days of working in IMAG has been great. I learnt to do a few crafts (beading, clay modeling, paper-mache, tiling/mosaic, ‘Shibori’ - Japanese tie-dye technique, wallet/photo frame pouch, candle-making) from Joey and was also given the opportunity to teach the campers as well. It is also fascinating to see the varied expressions of creativity from each and every individual camper.
Because I was helping at IMAG, I was also relieved from taking care of campers. However, I do still need to assist my unit team members at night before bedtime to check on the campers. Our unit, Innisfree houses the Art Emporium program (one of the biggest group in this session) with 15 campers. We have a total of 5 counselors attached to this unit – Turtle, Honeyduke, Rocky, Pooh and myself.
Like how we have events at every evening throughout the sessions, we had the International Night one evening and the 4th of July Carnival for the other evening.
During the International Night, Coke, Pooh and myself the Malaysians talked to the campers about life in Malaysia. I made 'Batu Seremban' or five-stones at the IMAG and demonstrated the game to the campers. The game fascinated them and I am glad. Also, I showed them how to wrap kacang putih! We also demonstrated the use of the sarong - from bathing in the rivers with it, to wrapping a baby with it and using it as a cradle with an attached spring.
The button badges from Tourism Malaysia were an instant hit! All given out!
Since Session II coincided with Independence Day on 4th of July, we held a carnival at the carpark field in the evening. Poker chips were thrown all over the grounds and campers with the most collection in hand gets to throw a pie at the waterfront staffs. However, they may get 'robbed' along the way by counselors dressed up in wacky outfits. In exchange for some of the chips, they may be required to perform a task like singing/dancing or giving away more chips to the 'robbers'.
At the carnival, we had a few game stations. The face painting station which I was taking care of with another counselor was a little messy but fun nonetheless. Infact, it was Joey who started the day by painting red, blue and white on her hair. Just before lunch, Roxy joined us at IMAG and somehow the 3 of us painted our faces with the colors of the American flag.
Joey is Australian, Roxy is Canadian and I am Malaysian - there were praises from campers and counselors alike of how we reflected the patriotic mood. I had campers taking pictures of me and telling me that I show more patriotism than they did on that day. Yeah, international staffs rock!
Forgive my bad management of the pictures....there were some still sitting in another friend's laptop so I don't have a lot updated yet...pls bear with the few for the moment.
After Session II, we had Troop Camp over the weekend of Jul 8 -10. Troop Camp is where adults accompany the campers to stay in camp. The group is huge, almost double of what we usually have at a session.
Session III : Jul 12 – 17
24 hour break: Jul 17 - 18
Session IV: Jul 19 – 24
3 day break: Jul 24 – 27
Session V: Jul 28 – Aug 2
24 hour break: Aug 2 – 3
Session VI: Aug 4 – 9
Post Camp: Aug 9 - 12
We started Session II on Jul 2.
Jul 2 – 7
Throughout this session, I have been assigned to help out Joey at the arts & crafts center – The IMAG – which is short for the Imagination Station. In 1995, IMAG was dedicated to Fran Plummer by the Hudson Valley Girl Scouts Council in memory of her dedication and service to Camp Little Notch. From what I have gathered from counselors who were previously campers, Fran held a competition to name the arts & crafts centre and the winning name came to be ‘The Imagination Station’ – pretty much describes this place which I have the privilege of working in for the week.
A corner of IMAG also houses some historical artifacts gathered from the furnace located within the camp which used to weld metal items during the civil war era. The hike to the furnace or as it is popularly known as "The Furnace Trail" is one of the activities incorporated in some programs. I have not gone on the Furnace Trail yet but I am sure I will do so in one of the coming programs.
The first few days of working in IMAG has been great. I learnt to do a few crafts (beading, clay modeling, paper-mache, tiling/mosaic, ‘Shibori’ - Japanese tie-dye technique, wallet/photo frame pouch, candle-making) from Joey and was also given the opportunity to teach the campers as well. It is also fascinating to see the varied expressions of creativity from each and every individual camper.
Because I was helping at IMAG, I was also relieved from taking care of campers. However, I do still need to assist my unit team members at night before bedtime to check on the campers. Our unit, Innisfree houses the Art Emporium program (one of the biggest group in this session) with 15 campers. We have a total of 5 counselors attached to this unit – Turtle, Honeyduke, Rocky, Pooh and myself.
Like how we have events at every evening throughout the sessions, we had the International Night one evening and the 4th of July Carnival for the other evening.
During the International Night, Coke, Pooh and myself the Malaysians talked to the campers about life in Malaysia. I made 'Batu Seremban' or five-stones at the IMAG and demonstrated the game to the campers. The game fascinated them and I am glad. Also, I showed them how to wrap kacang putih! We also demonstrated the use of the sarong - from bathing in the rivers with it, to wrapping a baby with it and using it as a cradle with an attached spring.
The button badges from Tourism Malaysia were an instant hit! All given out!
Since Session II coincided with Independence Day on 4th of July, we held a carnival at the carpark field in the evening. Poker chips were thrown all over the grounds and campers with the most collection in hand gets to throw a pie at the waterfront staffs. However, they may get 'robbed' along the way by counselors dressed up in wacky outfits. In exchange for some of the chips, they may be required to perform a task like singing/dancing or giving away more chips to the 'robbers'.
At the carnival, we had a few game stations. The face painting station which I was taking care of with another counselor was a little messy but fun nonetheless. Infact, it was Joey who started the day by painting red, blue and white on her hair. Just before lunch, Roxy joined us at IMAG and somehow the 3 of us painted our faces with the colors of the American flag.
Joey is Australian, Roxy is Canadian and I am Malaysian - there were praises from campers and counselors alike of how we reflected the patriotic mood. I had campers taking pictures of me and telling me that I show more patriotism than they did on that day. Yeah, international staffs rock!
Forgive my bad management of the pictures....there were some still sitting in another friend's laptop so I don't have a lot updated yet...pls bear with the few for the moment.
After Session II, we had Troop Camp over the weekend of Jul 8 -10. Troop Camp is where adults accompany the campers to stay in camp. The group is huge, almost double of what we usually have at a session.
Friday, July 01, 2005
June 26 – 30
June 26 is the start of our first session. The campers arrived in the afternoon and prior to that, we all gathered to take our staff picture. This is also the first day all of us are wearing our official uniform – a cute sightJ. Our staff shirt, navy blue shorts as well our tie. A few song practices and the sight of the first camper…..
We had a few campers that arrived by car, and upon their arrival the counselors led them to play games to keep them occupied. I must say a few of the counselors did a wonderful job coaxing a number of homesick and crying campers. Our spirits were high and our teamwork helped each other. The high morale certainly helped me, I haven’t done this for a long time…. And I mean a long time….. Relating to children, entertaining and keeping them occupied the best that you can.
Soon enough, the rest of the campers arrived in the 2 yellow school buses together with their yellow luggage van (which I thought is amazing to have fitted all campers’ luggage. It does look like some campers came packed for a month?????). For those of you who would go oohhhs and aahhhs over young cute children, you will be weakened at the heart when you actually see the campers lugging their sleeping bags and their respective gear around.
Both Turtle and myself will be taking care of the Super Sitters program, a program that introduces basic babysitting skills. We will each have 5 campers in a patrol.
The campers had a campfire in the evening after dinner and the rest of us counselors went for a planning meeting during this time to finalize our respective program schedules.
After the campfire we tucked the campers into bed after reading the camp prayer together at our first Quiet Meeting.
Turtle and I stayed up to tend to a camper who had a stomach upset and was crying in her bed after the rest have slept. It is kind of unusual for me to be so alert throughout the night. Back home, I sleep like a pig – if we had a thunderstorm, I would not have sensed it at all. I felt the sense of responsibility is growing on me as I adjusted into this ‘still unfamiliar’ role. Also, I don’t do mornings! At CLN, it’s wakey wakey for the kids by 6.30am which means I have to get up earlier at least by 5.45am. Over here the day gets bright by 5am and night doesn’t get dark until probably around 9.30am.
June 27 - 28
The girls in my patrol are amazingly super. The first thing they were asking me already was of course was where my home country was. I gave them a few clues but by dinner they had already figured out by my description of the national flag that hangs at the Dining Hall. I can sense they were a little curious of me, telling me that the longest they’ve ever been on a journey is 13 hours and couldn’t believe that I travel 21 hours to be with them this summer. This is all good, part of the camp’s effort to enrich the campers’ experiences through our cultural exchange.
The program for the campers on their 2nd evening was the Campers’ Council’s voted choice of event: The counselors fashion show – the campers have to dress their counselors for the fashion show according to a theme.
For the first time, the campers in my patrol showed so much excitement and laughter. I was re-named ‘yin yang cheech’, I am ‘a Rock Star’ with hand-painted tattoos (using marker pens) on my arm and every part of my body that they could draw on. I was given immediate on-site training of how to look cool and how I should do my ‘celebrity’ wave at the runway later. It was all fun and giggly.
At ‘backstage’, the rest of the counselors met up and we all looked absolutely fabulous! I thought Taz, as ‘Wind’ the Red Indian Chief was an absolutely great dress-up. A few warm-ups and the next thing we know, we were all strutting the runway already.
If you’ve never participated in a beauty pageant, you have definitely missed out on the thrill factor – that was what we all experienced! I totally collapsed when they announced ‘yin yang cheech’ as the 3rd place winner. Joey, Atlas, Flipper won the first place (god knows what they were – if my pictures can help, go figure. The ‘shipwrecked’ lifeguards were 2nd place.
The program for the following evening’s event was the Wet & Wild Party. Name says it all. Imagine the soaking wet t-shirt and the cold wind blowing on you from the Adirondack Mountains...
June 29
I had a floating lunch with my patrol today. The girls had wanted to go boating and kayaking but unfortunately it was made known to them that it is not feasible to include these activities since they are in the babysitters’ program. I thought I was planning a cool surprise to them by arranging the floating lunch, somehow they figured it out – thanks to my dumb-dumbness. I wrote the word ‘waterfront’ boldly on one of the lunch packs while preparing them for the waterfront crew who will be boating with us.
I am glad we did the floating lunch. They liked the idea of boating in the middle of the lake and having their lunch – so did I!. Later in the afternoon, they practiced their skit for the Final Night Campfire and Scouts Own.
Unfortunately, halfway through the practice a heavy downpour came and then a series of events changed the initial scheduled plans for the Final Night. Due to the thunderstorms, a power outage happened. To avoid the possibility of rising waters, we started moving all campers out of their tents with their luggages and gathered all of them at the Dining Hall for the Final Night Campfire.
June 30
Campers go home – some of them went home happy, while some went home with tears in their eye. I blew kisses to the campers in both Turtle’s unit and mine as their bus left the camp grounds. It is a happy sight to see all of them grinning away from the back of the bus.
We had our 24 hr break starting at 3pm. By night we headed to Lake George to stay the night in a motel. Pooh, Coke, Pik and Jib make great travel mates. We had a wonderful dinner (Coke and I shared ribs) at this friendly Grill called ‘Fire & Ice’. We were supposed do a couple more emails (but it didn’t happen due to the lack of time) before heading back to camp.
June 26 is the start of our first session. The campers arrived in the afternoon and prior to that, we all gathered to take our staff picture. This is also the first day all of us are wearing our official uniform – a cute sightJ. Our staff shirt, navy blue shorts as well our tie. A few song practices and the sight of the first camper…..
We had a few campers that arrived by car, and upon their arrival the counselors led them to play games to keep them occupied. I must say a few of the counselors did a wonderful job coaxing a number of homesick and crying campers. Our spirits were high and our teamwork helped each other. The high morale certainly helped me, I haven’t done this for a long time…. And I mean a long time….. Relating to children, entertaining and keeping them occupied the best that you can.
Soon enough, the rest of the campers arrived in the 2 yellow school buses together with their yellow luggage van (which I thought is amazing to have fitted all campers’ luggage. It does look like some campers came packed for a month?????). For those of you who would go oohhhs and aahhhs over young cute children, you will be weakened at the heart when you actually see the campers lugging their sleeping bags and their respective gear around.
Both Turtle and myself will be taking care of the Super Sitters program, a program that introduces basic babysitting skills. We will each have 5 campers in a patrol.
The campers had a campfire in the evening after dinner and the rest of us counselors went for a planning meeting during this time to finalize our respective program schedules.
After the campfire we tucked the campers into bed after reading the camp prayer together at our first Quiet Meeting.
Turtle and I stayed up to tend to a camper who had a stomach upset and was crying in her bed after the rest have slept. It is kind of unusual for me to be so alert throughout the night. Back home, I sleep like a pig – if we had a thunderstorm, I would not have sensed it at all. I felt the sense of responsibility is growing on me as I adjusted into this ‘still unfamiliar’ role. Also, I don’t do mornings! At CLN, it’s wakey wakey for the kids by 6.30am which means I have to get up earlier at least by 5.45am. Over here the day gets bright by 5am and night doesn’t get dark until probably around 9.30am.
June 27 - 28
The girls in my patrol are amazingly super. The first thing they were asking me already was of course was where my home country was. I gave them a few clues but by dinner they had already figured out by my description of the national flag that hangs at the Dining Hall. I can sense they were a little curious of me, telling me that the longest they’ve ever been on a journey is 13 hours and couldn’t believe that I travel 21 hours to be with them this summer. This is all good, part of the camp’s effort to enrich the campers’ experiences through our cultural exchange.
The program for the campers on their 2nd evening was the Campers’ Council’s voted choice of event: The counselors fashion show – the campers have to dress their counselors for the fashion show according to a theme.
For the first time, the campers in my patrol showed so much excitement and laughter. I was re-named ‘yin yang cheech’, I am ‘a Rock Star’ with hand-painted tattoos (using marker pens) on my arm and every part of my body that they could draw on. I was given immediate on-site training of how to look cool and how I should do my ‘celebrity’ wave at the runway later. It was all fun and giggly.
At ‘backstage’, the rest of the counselors met up and we all looked absolutely fabulous! I thought Taz, as ‘Wind’ the Red Indian Chief was an absolutely great dress-up. A few warm-ups and the next thing we know, we were all strutting the runway already.
If you’ve never participated in a beauty pageant, you have definitely missed out on the thrill factor – that was what we all experienced! I totally collapsed when they announced ‘yin yang cheech’ as the 3rd place winner. Joey, Atlas, Flipper won the first place (god knows what they were – if my pictures can help, go figure. The ‘shipwrecked’ lifeguards were 2nd place.
The program for the following evening’s event was the Wet & Wild Party. Name says it all. Imagine the soaking wet t-shirt and the cold wind blowing on you from the Adirondack Mountains...
June 29
I had a floating lunch with my patrol today. The girls had wanted to go boating and kayaking but unfortunately it was made known to them that it is not feasible to include these activities since they are in the babysitters’ program. I thought I was planning a cool surprise to them by arranging the floating lunch, somehow they figured it out – thanks to my dumb-dumbness. I wrote the word ‘waterfront’ boldly on one of the lunch packs while preparing them for the waterfront crew who will be boating with us.
I am glad we did the floating lunch. They liked the idea of boating in the middle of the lake and having their lunch – so did I!. Later in the afternoon, they practiced their skit for the Final Night Campfire and Scouts Own.
Unfortunately, halfway through the practice a heavy downpour came and then a series of events changed the initial scheduled plans for the Final Night. Due to the thunderstorms, a power outage happened. To avoid the possibility of rising waters, we started moving all campers out of their tents with their luggages and gathered all of them at the Dining Hall for the Final Night Campfire.
June 30
Campers go home – some of them went home happy, while some went home with tears in their eye. I blew kisses to the campers in both Turtle’s unit and mine as their bus left the camp grounds. It is a happy sight to see all of them grinning away from the back of the bus.
We had our 24 hr break starting at 3pm. By night we headed to Lake George to stay the night in a motel. Pooh, Coke, Pik and Jib make great travel mates. We had a wonderful dinner (Coke and I shared ribs) at this friendly Grill called ‘Fire & Ice’. We were supposed do a couple more emails (but it didn’t happen due to the lack of time) before heading back to camp.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
15 June
We were picked by Max and Pepper (our head cook at camp) from the ICCP office after noon on 15 June. I took a cab from Central Park Hostel with Deidre (Irish mate met at the hostel) but she stopped at somewhere along 56th St. We exchanged our contact details and deidre offered her apartment to stay when I return to NY after camp. I might just take up that offer.
The evenings throughout the pre-camp training were so cold, but it has gotten better now with more sunshine coming. Cross my fingers.
16 - 17 June
Camp Little Notch is absolutely beautiful! Pre-Camp training started officially on 18 June. Prior to that, a few of us - namely the international staffs as well as a couple of staffs from out of New York arrived earlier at camp and we lent our help to the Camp Service Team (CST) pre-camp training.
These chores included latrine washing, kitchen cleaning, gathering of firewood for cookouts and etc. Other than that, I went to apply for my Social Security number as well. One of the spare time in the afternoons after lunch, the few of us international camp staffs drew our respective country flags. We just admired it so much once it was done and when it was hung up against the wall of the Dining Hall.
The summer camps in the US are categorized either as day camps or resident camps and CLN is the latter. To some, CLN may just be too much of an isolated place to be in. Because of the surrounding landscapes, there is no phone signal reception in the area. Internet access is also not feasible. There are only a few main areas of camp that are serviced by electricity. I found out that there is a Boy Scout Camp near CLN which is a day camp. The other campstaffs who were once campers or previously C-I-Ts (Counselors In Training, something like an internship program before someone becomes a full counselor) had such funny stories to share about the Boy Scout Camp. It is a place where you don't want to see male counselors in knee-high socks and scarfs...... hahaha, I also liked that part where their walkies once crossed channels with that of the ones we have at CLN. The Boy Scouts were enquiring for 'Hot Chicks' from CLN and unfortunately or rather hilariously, they were given a great deal of shelling by Star (our Camp Director)....And the urban legend ended as that.
18 - 21 June
Now, more about precamp training:
I have only good things to say about the entire program that was prepared by Star and her team. Apart from equipping each and everyone of us with the theoretical knowledge we need to lead the children in our program, we are also trained in the physical aspects as well. From Archery, Boating, Learning of Nature and Conservation, Compass Reading as well as going through a Swim Test (I skipped this of course, but I definitely had a fun time swimming at the Lake. It is my first experience swimming in a Lake in America!).
We also dealt with issues of major importance for all the campers that come into Camp Little Notch: Health and Universal Precautions, Transportation Logistics, Kitchen and Cookout Requisitions, Basice Water Safetly Precautions & Evacuation Procedures.
I did so many cookouts to date that they out number that of what I did when I was still a girl guide in school. The recipes are simply amazing! Almost like American Chillies fare back home.
There was a lot of creativity explored as well, I've never had so much of ideas up my head in such a short period of time. This definitely has something to do with all the other great camp staffs around. With one another, we share so much enthusiasm and ideas around. We also look out for each other as well. Made so many new friends here, ANJ, TAZ, WHO, TALES, ATLAS, HONEYDUKE and many more. TAZ is sitting next to me and she insists that I write her name in. Most of them are between the ages of 19 - 24. I'm almost the oldest counselor at camp.
One of the greatest thing was getting certified in First Aid & CPR! I love the sessions! I am now a certified professional rescuer...hahahahahahah! Amazing!
22 June
I am writing now from the a local community college which is approximately 30 mins drive out of CLN, Fort Ann. Today, all campstaffs have a 12hr break from noon till late evening so different groups are going off in different directions for sight-seeing as well as mail checking.
We had a 2 hour session in the morning just before our break started and again they are awesome sessions. About Child Abuse (How to recognise for signs of abuse) as well as a discussion of Socially Sensitive Issues among campers.
After this, I am heading off to the local mall and thereafter join the Staffs Dinner that will be held at Carl R's - Tex Mex Fare.
We were picked by Max and Pepper (our head cook at camp) from the ICCP office after noon on 15 June. I took a cab from Central Park Hostel with Deidre (Irish mate met at the hostel) but she stopped at somewhere along 56th St. We exchanged our contact details and deidre offered her apartment to stay when I return to NY after camp. I might just take up that offer.
The evenings throughout the pre-camp training were so cold, but it has gotten better now with more sunshine coming. Cross my fingers.
16 - 17 June
Camp Little Notch is absolutely beautiful! Pre-Camp training started officially on 18 June. Prior to that, a few of us - namely the international staffs as well as a couple of staffs from out of New York arrived earlier at camp and we lent our help to the Camp Service Team (CST) pre-camp training.
These chores included latrine washing, kitchen cleaning, gathering of firewood for cookouts and etc. Other than that, I went to apply for my Social Security number as well. One of the spare time in the afternoons after lunch, the few of us international camp staffs drew our respective country flags. We just admired it so much once it was done and when it was hung up against the wall of the Dining Hall.
The summer camps in the US are categorized either as day camps or resident camps and CLN is the latter. To some, CLN may just be too much of an isolated place to be in. Because of the surrounding landscapes, there is no phone signal reception in the area. Internet access is also not feasible. There are only a few main areas of camp that are serviced by electricity. I found out that there is a Boy Scout Camp near CLN which is a day camp. The other campstaffs who were once campers or previously C-I-Ts (Counselors In Training, something like an internship program before someone becomes a full counselor) had such funny stories to share about the Boy Scout Camp. It is a place where you don't want to see male counselors in knee-high socks and scarfs...... hahaha, I also liked that part where their walkies once crossed channels with that of the ones we have at CLN. The Boy Scouts were enquiring for 'Hot Chicks' from CLN and unfortunately or rather hilariously, they were given a great deal of shelling by Star (our Camp Director)....And the urban legend ended as that.
18 - 21 June
Now, more about precamp training:
I have only good things to say about the entire program that was prepared by Star and her team. Apart from equipping each and everyone of us with the theoretical knowledge we need to lead the children in our program, we are also trained in the physical aspects as well. From Archery, Boating, Learning of Nature and Conservation, Compass Reading as well as going through a Swim Test (I skipped this of course, but I definitely had a fun time swimming at the Lake. It is my first experience swimming in a Lake in America!).
We also dealt with issues of major importance for all the campers that come into Camp Little Notch: Health and Universal Precautions, Transportation Logistics, Kitchen and Cookout Requisitions, Basice Water Safetly Precautions & Evacuation Procedures.
I did so many cookouts to date that they out number that of what I did when I was still a girl guide in school. The recipes are simply amazing! Almost like American Chillies fare back home.
There was a lot of creativity explored as well, I've never had so much of ideas up my head in such a short period of time. This definitely has something to do with all the other great camp staffs around. With one another, we share so much enthusiasm and ideas around. We also look out for each other as well. Made so many new friends here, ANJ, TAZ, WHO, TALES, ATLAS, HONEYDUKE and many more. TAZ is sitting next to me and she insists that I write her name in. Most of them are between the ages of 19 - 24. I'm almost the oldest counselor at camp.
One of the greatest thing was getting certified in First Aid & CPR! I love the sessions! I am now a certified professional rescuer...hahahahahahah! Amazing!
22 June
I am writing now from the a local community college which is approximately 30 mins drive out of CLN, Fort Ann. Today, all campstaffs have a 12hr break from noon till late evening so different groups are going off in different directions for sight-seeing as well as mail checking.
We had a 2 hour session in the morning just before our break started and again they are awesome sessions. About Child Abuse (How to recognise for signs of abuse) as well as a discussion of Socially Sensitive Issues among campers.
After this, I am heading off to the local mall and thereafter join the Staffs Dinner that will be held at Carl R's - Tex Mex Fare.
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
13 June (6:30pm - NY time) - Touchdown in Newark Airport
At 10pm - Found myself stranded at Manhattan Youth Castle not realising they closed for the summer. The guy at the door was cool, gave me a hostels handbook and directed me to Wanderers Inn East. From Eest 103rd St to 94street. Distance of something like from Taman Mayang to Kampung Chempaka! Gosh, I swear I need some getting used to those 'couple of blocks' term.
At 11pm - Checked into Wanderers Inn East, by the time I showered and all was about 45 mins later. Just dozed off after assuring mum I had landed.
14 June (11am) - Checked out of WIE cos they don't have a place for me that nite except for a USD75 private room. Found a mate in Krystal (ironically, a name reminding me of work) and we headed to West 103rd St via subway and later by bus. Its been hell long since I did all this traipsing around towns for youth hostels and I am beginning to feel that I'm reliving my student days again..... At times, I wanted to just call a cab!
At 2pm, checked in at Central park Youth hostel and found a mate in Deidra (Irish). We headed out to town and checked out quite a lot of places (NBC studios, CNN, Broadway, Trump Tower, Empire State gosh I can't remember already...)
Both of us were on budget so the idea of forking out USD 14 to go up Empire was somehow not the thing we were interested.
We ended the evening with Opera at the Great Lawn in Central park. My first experience of Opera! The Metropolitan Opera!
Headed back to hostel by 11pm - Knocked out totally!
At 10pm - Found myself stranded at Manhattan Youth Castle not realising they closed for the summer. The guy at the door was cool, gave me a hostels handbook and directed me to Wanderers Inn East. From Eest 103rd St to 94street. Distance of something like from Taman Mayang to Kampung Chempaka! Gosh, I swear I need some getting used to those 'couple of blocks' term.
At 11pm - Checked into Wanderers Inn East, by the time I showered and all was about 45 mins later. Just dozed off after assuring mum I had landed.
14 June (11am) - Checked out of WIE cos they don't have a place for me that nite except for a USD75 private room. Found a mate in Krystal (ironically, a name reminding me of work) and we headed to West 103rd St via subway and later by bus. Its been hell long since I did all this traipsing around towns for youth hostels and I am beginning to feel that I'm reliving my student days again..... At times, I wanted to just call a cab!
At 2pm, checked in at Central park Youth hostel and found a mate in Deidra (Irish). We headed out to town and checked out quite a lot of places (NBC studios, CNN, Broadway, Trump Tower, Empire State gosh I can't remember already...)
Both of us were on budget so the idea of forking out USD 14 to go up Empire was somehow not the thing we were interested.
We ended the evening with Opera at the Great Lawn in Central park. My first experience of Opera! The Metropolitan Opera!
Headed back to hostel by 11pm - Knocked out totally!
Sunday, June 12, 2005
In about 10 hours time, I'm supposed to be taking off and yet I have not finished my packing. What I did complete though is this:
a) Set my auto-reply at my work email
b) Bought my disposable 'un_ _ _ wear'
c) Packed my sleeping bag + my blue pareo (I hug this with me everytime I travel afar... it's been with me to Germany + Swiss!)
d) Got myself my raingear (baju hujan) - last time I needed this was at Mt Kinabalu. Am quite curious about the rain that happens in another country other than Malaysia. I don't seem to quite recall experiencing rain in another foreign country..... although I think I am a little 'amnesiastic'
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/susan_chee/album
22 hours!! My **** will burn.
Well it's enough time for me to decide if it's Manhattan Inn Hostel or the American Dream Hostel that I should head to upon arrival. It's gotta be Manhattan since I am meeting Coke and a few others at Manhattan.
a) Set my auto-reply at my work email
b) Bought my disposable 'un_ _ _ wear'
c) Packed my sleeping bag + my blue pareo (I hug this with me everytime I travel afar... it's been with me to Germany + Swiss!)
d) Got myself my raingear (baju hujan) - last time I needed this was at Mt Kinabalu. Am quite curious about the rain that happens in another country other than Malaysia. I don't seem to quite recall experiencing rain in another foreign country..... although I think I am a little 'amnesiastic'
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/susan_chee/album
22 hours!! My **** will burn.
Well it's enough time for me to decide if it's Manhattan Inn Hostel or the American Dream Hostel that I should head to upon arrival. It's gotta be Manhattan since I am meeting Coke and a few others at Manhattan.
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Hi all,
This is a humble attempt of a travelogue which I am starting today to keep all of you folks out there posted of my whereabouts during my away period from June 13 - Sept 15, 2005.
I have a lot of people excited over my plans at this summer camp where I will be rendering my services as a camp counselor. Well, the excitement is finally seeping into me now. Somehow things like to happen to me on the very last minute.
For instance, my flight is still not confirmed (is it June 11 or June 13?). This is killing.....MAS has packed flights on both dates, ...... shall I sit on the pilot's lap then?
I have either 2 days or 4 days to departure date - whichever..... ** shitting rocks now **
This is a humble attempt of a travelogue which I am starting today to keep all of you folks out there posted of my whereabouts during my away period from June 13 - Sept 15, 2005.
I have a lot of people excited over my plans at this summer camp where I will be rendering my services as a camp counselor. Well, the excitement is finally seeping into me now. Somehow things like to happen to me on the very last minute.
For instance, my flight is still not confirmed (is it June 11 or June 13?). This is killing.....MAS has packed flights on both dates, ...... shall I sit on the pilot's lap then?
I have either 2 days or 4 days to departure date - whichever..... ** shitting rocks now **
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