Road Trip

Today marks the start of something of spontaneity, insanity and (most importantly) adventure. 

Being thrown together with people you’d never think of travelling with and heading out for a 6 day road trip is a large learning experience. 

In a few hours we’ll be on our way to Baltimore, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Chicago before heading back for Virginia.

Adrenaline packed week 4...

Week 4 but technically Session 5 of the camp season and what better than Ad Rush. I hit the mid summer wall the weekend before and spent the majority of Sunday to Wednesday permanently feeling ill. I made the best of it though. Ad rush is an action based program that runs every week of camp and I wasn't about to let feeling ill stop me from having fun.

Another Bridge, Another Unit, same trickling River...

Natters, Element, Tangle, Gizmo, Aerosmith and I were sharing the unit with Mac and the CITS in Shawnee and the week was pretty Busy. Little time for girl planning. We had Caving on Tuesday which was great as always. It was an all day trip to Glade but we ended up doing it backwards in the sense we did long side first then short side after because as we entered the cave we could hear another group singing in the tea room.

I love caving. It's like when you go to a neighbourhood you drive by the entrance to all the time, but don't truly realise the enormity of the little roads and narrow paths and alleys until you slow down an explore. I've only ever done Long side in the total of the 3 times I've been. It's still as enjoyable as the first time. Despite feeling incredibly sick we had laughs, and I helped lead people back out like I had my first time. No cut knee this time just damp, muddy and sore. We ate lunch outside before going back in for short side, where we sat as the kids played in the playground, laughing and joking.

Thursday was awesome too. We went white water Rafting and it was awesome! We floated down the river all day in rafts, riding the rapids the river had created because of all the heavy rain. Luckily we had a lovely day for it. We got to play in the rapids and float down out of the rafts as well as take a few swings into the river on a tree rope swing. It was awesome. Derrick gave us a history lesson as we floated the last stretch of the day . It was great.

Friday night was a welcomed escape. Mama Galaxy whisked her lovely daughter and her friends; Mo, Mac and I back to Maryland for a weekend away. We all slept like logs and woke late the next day. Mo and I rising, followed by Mac. We had to wake Galaxy. We spent the day thrifting, venturing into Trader Joe's
(LOVE LOVE LOVE) as well as having Calzone which was amazing. We also decided to get something pierced. It's a summer thing? So I got my nose pierced. We spent the evening curled up on the sofa watching films eating Trader Joe's yummys.

Couldn't have asked for a better weekend...

Glamorous Gals of Week 3...

Week 3... Gone Glamping. 11 Campers,  the same staff, with the exception of the swap around of Meep for Aerosmith, and we were ready and raring to go! We were all ready and raring to go to make the most of the last week we'd all be living together.

Gone Glamping Staff

We did the usual antics, arts and crafts where, as always we realised the campers are far more creative and artistic than we are, we made friendship bracelets, we went to pool everyday. One of our evening pool sessions saw Splash joining in and me getting soaked. While we were up at the showers that familiar sound of Thunder and rain rang out through the trees so we ended up joining in with a Dance party that was going on. 

The rain carried on for quite a while before we could take the kids back up to the unit. We also had FOB everyday and Challenge course, Lawn initiatives and Tower. Lawn initiatives I find is always a great way to finalise those names you're not quite sure of and Boone are normally great fun. What would Glamping be without their own dance party in the hall either? Accompanied with pudding snacks as well as another unit and of course...One Direction songs.

Wednesday is always cookout and this week Pizza Bagels, mac and cheese and Garlic bread were on the menu. Carbs overload! Billie created a great looking fire (she's one ace fire starter). And once they'd eaten and we'd told them the kitchen had forgotten to give us dessert we announced a kitchen raid was to be planned. After applying fire ashes as war paint it was peanut better jelly time. Kitchen raids are pretty cool, all the kids can get involved, Admin are on patrol and the counselors 'steal' what they can to give everyone dessert. We ended up hiding under tables sprinting through kitchens and hiding back in the unit ready for dough boys.

Thursday was Princess Ninja 'Prinja' day. We all had to dress up as a princess, a ninja or both. That was fun to do. Sinewa is often the subject of 'Snowman on the Bridge' Walkie Calls and it didnt stop for any Ninja or Princess alike. So Acorn and Jurassic appeared net in hand on the golf kart ready to catch Houdini. Lets just say Houdini had more stealth than these ninjas.

That night it rained heavily. So heavily that it was a waiting game as to whether or not we would be evacuated. I was in my Pyjamas, most of the sinew staff were in the Unit house with the exception of a few in Buddhas unit. I was running back and forth checking on the kids, gradually getting more and more soaked. I'd initially set off earlier to take the trash to the compacter when I realised the whole of Sinewa road was flooded. We ended up shuttled both Sinewa and Shawnee staff and campers from the units to the dining hall. This included shoving bedding in bags and me being wetter than the ground. 

We all slept in the dining hall that night. Hanging glow sticks from the rafters and singing slow camp songs at past midnight to soothe the kids. The counselors then slept in the middle of the dining hall on a parachute. A glamorous experience. 

Climbing through week 2...

Going from 24 campers to 9 was quieting to say the least. I'd now moved over to Sinewa for the next two weeks and I joined Billie, Sawce, Belle and Aerosmith in out platform tent beside the river. The week was pretty awesome to say the least.

Being Climbers we had an extended amount to time and the Climbing wall (win) and the kids loved it. We also ended up having our own water fight that was infiltrated by Wild about Water who were hosting a sing a long car wash. So sponges and water logged balls were thrown, water was tipped over counselors heads and war paint was applied by said campers.

Due to poor weather we unfortunately didn't get to climb Eagle Rock, However we did learn to tie knots with  Lasso as well as climb Frontier Rock. Because we were such a small group it was easy to get along and joke, the kids spent the whole week trying to work out our real names, we had them convinced at one point I was engaged to Benedict Cumberbatch; there was also banter- the British accent vs the American accent where myself and a camper swapped accents for meal times. Mine was awful to say the least.

Becuase we were a half unit, Buddha took up the other half with her group and it was her birthday that week. So she threw herself a party with her campers complete with hats and party games as well as a makeshift cake (chocolate pudding, Graham crackers and marshmallow). This was while we were making ice cream in a bag/friendship bracelets so we all ended up moving around and sharing.

We also made an obstacle course for the kids where you are blindfolded and you feel your away around the course or a buddy guides you verbally. This was quite fun. We would use pool noodles to tease them or 'scare' them. They found it enjoyable. Suddenly though a young bear came out of the woods. It wasn't really doing anything, Billie took the girls inside as Lasso, Brit and I jumped around making noise. Luckily there was a dance party going on in the Dining hall so noise was already being made. The bear didn't really seem to care about any of us. Red ran from behind us down the green as Luna, Dancer and Galaxy moved towards the staff house. Splash and Luce ran from Macy over the the bear who was now disappearing behind the old Archery range. We then ended up staying up in the dining hall for a little longer. I think we got away with it without too many seeing the bear itself.

The Thursday of that week welcomed Superhero day as well as the 4th of July. There was a whole host of superhero who descended on camp that Thursday, including the whole cast of Batman, Iron man, Captain America and The Powerpuff girls of Sinewa. We had a mini party on the green before dinner, giving the kid their mail and all receiving glasses and lies in the patriotic spirit. On the Friday all camp was a 4th of July festival where Mo, Ruggers and Myself ended up giving hair wraps as well as watching Admin get dunked in the pool, counselors get cream pies to the face as well as face painting and watermelon spitting.

That Friday night we were hanging out in the other staff tent in Sinewa when at Atlas moth got stuck in the rafters. We spent a good 45 minutes trying to move it out of the tent. Galaxy ended up getting it down as we watched and placed it under her box. She then managed to get it outside and we watched as it fluttered around the lamp post. We spent most of that evening laughing and joking  with each other, before retiring back to our tent for sleep. Sleep is scarce at camp, even when you seem to have the chance to go to bed early. Good Company tends to do that...

That Saturday was the weekend between our first two week programme. So we hosted a party. Mac, Mo Galaxy and I were all stood up by the laundry room as I washed everything I owned while stood in my pyjamas when splash grabbed us to help set up BBQ bits, put soda in coolers and decorate the singing benches and surrounding area with Stars and Strips. Boone Squad also ended up setting up an awesome slip and slide before grabbing food and all going down to a pool party as life guarded by Splash. Later that afternoon groups dispersed to town before new adventures with incoming the next day.

Lets go Exploring...It's Week 1!

Week one. Lets go. Waited 9 months for this and it was finally here. As I sat down on the picnic bench waiting for those car campers, waving in the buses and chatting with the ULs, it finally hit me we were back. There were kids on camp. The staff that week in Sherando with a full unit of explorers were: Me, Eskimo, Fizz, Bear, Rabbit, Tangle and Gizmo. We were joined half way through the week by Frosty.

The first night of camp we experienced the interesting and creative route that counselors go down to ensure that the Tooth Fairy comes to visit at camp too. Tangle and Gizmo sat and rather creatively came up with the letter design and words. Mo attempted to draw the tooth fairy rather successfully might I say. And the note was left along with a small gift for our camper to find in the morning.

First week of camp. First week of canoeing. I was good. We all went in shifts. One group in the morning, one in the afternoon. Doing water activities while the other were away. We went to Elkorne this year due to rangers wanting to conserve Todd. It was a lot prettier, not as lovely as Switzer but still lovely.We played water games and raced around while learning strokes and chatting with the kids. They seemed to have fun!

That week Thursday it was Disney day. Mo used my (now her) dinosaur onsie, and I dressed as stitch! We had a talent show that day that Splash and Red came and judged. Mo and I sang a song about camp that we had written during Archery. The girls all participated which was lovely. We had spinning light shows, singing and the cup song, with everyone winning a 'most likely' award. That night included the infamous staff boding where we maid scrambled brownies...that was actually meant to be dough boys, so we effectively had scrambled dough boys. It was an interesting experience to say the least...

Preeeeecamp Madness

It's the best feeling ever driving back through Bridgewater, feeling like you're coming home. Past that pirate ship, the rescue squad, Harveys. May have decided that on the first drive I was going to try come back next year. When we all first rolled up on camp we were greeted by a sign with instructions saying we had to do something to enter  camp. Splash and Red were sat off, in the background, watching us from the golf cart. This involved us singing the hippo song as a collective. Which we were all slightly rusty with. That day we moved into our Cabins, me and Mo were together with Skittles and Natters (who I named). They were arriving the next day. That evening we spent milling around camp, catching up with each other, meeting the new specialists and sitting on Shawnee bridge, swaying our feet over the high river.

Kayak through Camp? Yes that did happen...

Precamp went really well. Everyone is great. Everyone seemed to be getting on really well. We learnt a lot about camp. The basics of a typical day, safety, programmes, roles etc. Of course Sparky visited and told her infamous story. We all were first aid trained and I made Unit Leader. We all did lawn initiatives and bonding games, and everyone was up for it. It was great. It also included many chats, laughs, games, running around, beating people in races wearing crocs, making friendship bracelets, doing hair wraps as well as the odd dance part or two. I definitely managed to put a hair wrap in Reds hair. No photo evidence, but it was definitely an achievement! We also did round robins in the program areas which included doing challenge course and climbing tower. We also hiked out to pioneer.

We also went to reddish knob! It's lovely up there. We all rode in the vans or cars. I went with Mermaid and we all chatted and all bonded a little more. Managed to talk to a lot of people up there too. We all enjoyed ourselves. It was nice to see the views again, but like the last time I was up there, we were chased away by a thunderstorm. So we spent the whole drive back watching the lightning flash down as the music blared out.

Smiles and a view...

We also went to a baseball game at JMU. That was pretty fun. The players all danced to the birdie song for us and Google and Pixie won some money from a raffle. Because there were so many varying accents being chaperoned around the game by Americans, the University were informed we were a cultural exchange program, which they loved.

Take me out to the ball game...

We also ended up doing a scavenger hunt which was masked as a fired drill where we all stood around the flag poles in the pouring rain, on the flooded green. We were split into groups and were given instructions before we were off. Our tasks included posing for archery outside target, having all the vegetarians stand outside little grill, be pirates by the pirate ship in Bridgewater, having our mascot (lady liberty) in every picture, thrifting for the dress-up box and getting a topping for ice cream. Mac decided that while the toppings were being found she would dance outside Target in that lovely dress. It was possibly one of the funniest things I've seen her do...

Race against time...in the rain

The weird thing about precamp, apart from not experiencing it last year, was not having the kids there. Not hearing their little voices and chants and laughs. I found myself excited for them to come. For camp to begin in full swing, and June 23rd was when it would finally start...

Last day of precamp...

We're Back!

So after and 8 hour flight yesterday, Sophie and I touched down into Washington. We had clear skies, and when we didn't we skimmed along the clouds. They great thing about window seats is that you avoid awkward "can I just get out" situations and you get a brilliant view.

We spent the flight chatting, humming along to Les Miserables and I finally got to watch Skyfall. We talked about what we were looking forward to this summer. I'd say my top three are the new programmes, seeing all the staff and being back in the little bubble that is camp.

After we'd arrived and Fluffy presented us with cute little signs, we headed out of the airport!

First stop, Walmart! This Walmart was HUGE. I mean, 'get lost for days' huge. Anyway after a few purchases we made our way to IHOP! A pancake diner, so I naturally ordered onion rings. Like most things in the US, compared to back home, they were giant. Bracelet sized giant! (as shown by Fluffy).

Anywho. Today we'll be off the camp. And the summer can begin!

It's the final countdown

So in 24 hours i'll be boarding my plane. I'm sort of wondering where on earth the time has gone. I'm finally packed. Well. There's a few last minute things that will be thrown in. I.e phone, iPod, tablet; once they're all charged they'll disappear into the bag along with everything else.

Can't believe camp has come round this quickly. Its a little insane. Hopefully this year i'll actually update this weekly. I mean i have my journal but it would be good if I updated this too.

We'll see.

I am Sherlocked?

So today I saw the 3rd series of Sherlock being filmed. It was pretty great i might say!

It started with me heading up at 5am from the coach station using National Express to London. I don't know if it was the little girl in me getting excited at the prospect of possibly seeing said filming, or the fact i'd had a satisfying amount of sleep. Either way i spent the journey watching the sun slowly appear listening to Alt-J. After arriving in London, I headed over to hand out forms for participants, all eager to get to camp and get their visas.

At about 2, when i could leave, I ran to Green Park tube station and raced to Euston Square. After getting out of the underground I rushed over to North Gower street to be greeted by at least 100 fans of Sherlock and the sight of Mark Gatiss and Martin Freeman chatting. I blended in with the crowd and grabbed my camera; filled with anticipation. I started talking to an Italian fan about where she had traveled from, general chit-chat and of course, a love for Holmes.

Gatiss and Freeman chatting on the set of Sherlock

   About 10 minutes later we were moved across to the corner of the street and Freeman disappeared. The set was organised for the first shoot on N. Gower and we all lay in wait for action to be called. This took a little while, but i think we were all so excited at seeing the process happen nobody seemed to mind the standing.

Lights...Camera...

 Arwel Wyn Jones, the production designer for Sherlock was taking pictures of the 'Fandom' gathering again. Set hands and runners rushed about and Mark Gatiss stood chatting to others by Speedys.

Not so random Arwyn

Not long after this there was a hum in the crowd and all attention was drawn to the mouth of N. Gower. Benedict Cumberbatch had arrived and the 'Cumberbitches' were showing. A few waves were thrown to the gathering and smiles exchanged. It wouldn't be long now, and shooting would start. It was really interesting to watch this part of production. Yes of course it was amazing seeing these actors in their natural environment, but it's also fascinating to watch it raw in front of your eyes then to see it later transpire to film.

Cumberbatch arrives on set

After a little longer, Cumberbatch and Freeman disappeared inside and filming began. I was apprehensive to begin with that seeing filming would spoil details of the new series, but in all honesty you cant hear anything. Also, the scene they were shooting was Sherlock and John exiting 221B with Sherlock hailing a taxi. 

Taxi!

This was shot a couple of times before the actors stood around chatting and messing around. It was nice to see them interact with one another. I dont know maybe its my love for observing that made me happy to watch. Maybe it was just because it was actors who I respect. I dunno. It was enjoyable either way.

Smiles on Set

Detail change?

 Anyway. After a little while longer, a couple more takes were shot and the actors and crew gathered for what looked like the promotional shots and personal photos. Cumberbatch disappeared soon after.

Smile!

 Freeman also headed off set and down to the hotel that resides on N. Gower street. A while later he resurfaced with new costume. A canon Watson moustache which interests me. The small details that Moffat, Gatiss and other writers for the show add are a large part of the draw to the show for me.

A canon looking Doctor Watson

The scene was shot several times from different vantage points and with slight changes to expressions, timing and length. Again, Freeman hung around set for a while chatting before a few more takes were shot. Gatiss had been hanging out watching filming opposite where we had been stood and was exchanging goodbyes as the scene wrapped.  There was a cheer and we all clapped before both men left.

Gatiss and Freeman exhange a goodbye

 As the last few bits of the set were being packed up we walked over to Speedys to see if we could grab a picture infront of the infamous address. Fortunately we did, it was a great end to a great day. I'm even in my Camp Leaders shirt.

It's been the most ridiculous day...

I Haven't updated this for so long, but i will continue to do so today. Things were a little different for a couple weeks after week one. With a very unfortunate reason.

29th/30th of June 

Frontier the Next Morning: Errant Mattress

So the girls went home today. I think they were thankful they could go home to air conditioning and ice cold drinks after such a hot day. The past few days have been really hot but today was ridiculous, jeez how British do i sound right now. Anyway, after we were dismissed everyone, went for showers and most were going of camp for food, or in my case Ice cream, Titch and Ying Yang had asked me to go for Harvey's ice cream, and i was really looking forward to it. So I headed back to Frontier to grab my purse, a jacket and torch, chatting to Mac and Luna as i did, when the wind picked up. Naturally, we all sighed a massive sigh of relief, a much needed cool breeze and carried on sorting out stuff. But the wind carried on. Me and Mac exchanged a couple of worried looks to one another, a few "wow its windy"s were vocalised as it got worse.  The wind had picked up so much in the space of a minute that we were now effectively stood in a wind tunnel, Luna was fussing with the back tent flaps trying to untie them, key tip here kids, tie them with a BOW not a KNOT. Mac and I were desperately shoving everyones stuff under their bed. We ran to the unit house as trees bent and snapped in the wind, the rain fell the size of golf balls and the thunder shattered so loudly over head it felt like it was on our level. This had all happened in such a short space of time it was crazy, surreal.

The Dining Hall

There were lights down the Sinewa road and it turned out it was Nemo and Lucky. They turned into Frontier to see if there was anyone around, but a tree had fallen and the car was stuck so there were now running towards the three of us stood on the porch. We shone our lights to help them see their way and ran into the Unit house, shutting the door. The trees continued falling and we could hear the thunder, see the lightning flash and hear the trees crash and crackle to the ground. It seemed to die down a bit and we made the decision rightly or wrongly to make our way down to the staff house. We ran, and didn't look back. Carrying the bag i'd packed to go to Harveys with we ran down toward the dining hall, the main severe weather shelter, tripping over branches and tree that had fallen, still hearing them fall as we ran. Its an odd experience, running and the only thing on your mind is Get safe, consequence not crossing. Mac lead us and I flanked making sure we were all together still. It's one of those situations where you realise you do anything for strangers who are just as frightened as you are.

Time to Move our Stuff

As we got nearer the dining hall we saw the staff house lights on, and a Van parked by the staff house. Splash was driving, and assuming she saw our torches,  headed towards us. We ran across the green and jumped in the van, then piled into the packed staff house. We were one short however, Sparrow had gone off camp for a hike and it hadn't been confirmed if she'd returned or not. It turned out she was sat in her sleeping bag, in Sinewa unit house eating chocolate and reading a book with the mice. That night we moved to the dining hall and at about 10:30 ish it had calmed completely. Most slept, some of us didn't. Mac and myself were sat in the porch for a while, watching Splash and Red circle Sherando assessing the damage. We'd gone over earlier to see if we would grab bedding and clothes to keep us all warm but we were greeted by obstructing trees and creaking cabins. It was, at it turned out, a tornado that barely touched down at camp.

The All-American House

The next morning there was a resounding echo around camp, thank god the units weren't full of girls. We all gradually went to our units, to gather our stuff and tidy what we could. Sherando had 3 damaged cabins with a lot of debris. One cabin, the one we'd staying in our first night, no longer had a front. The others had trees through the roofs. Frontier had some damage, fallen branches, flung mattresses. One of our Girl power tents had collapsed. It was crazy. Later on we moved all our stuff down to the dining hall and Splash called us for a meeting. Turned out another storm was on it's way and we weren't to stay on camp that night. Mac put the day in a pretty well rounded perspective; "It's been the most ridiculous day".

Basement Camp

We were all split up and evacuated and ended up going back to counselors houses.  To begin with we went to Easters. There was about 10 of us down in her basement chowing down on pizza slices the size of your face and red cups full of orange juice. We chatted and gradually came to realise what had actually happened, called home to say we'd been evacuated, camp was damaged, but it had to be kept quiet as not to worry the girls who were coming for the rest of the summer, or for it to get out there before they'd had the official word. Later on that evening Daisy, Surf, Zazu and myself ended up being driven to Bridgewater to be picked up and stay with Frost and her Family. Frosts house is what you'd picture as an american house; white fence, tyre swing, dog running around the yard. We set up camp in the basement for the night as a storm brewed. It really had been a ridiculous day.