Not long now…

Sunrise at Boating Beach

It all started 6 long years ago…  Bored with my post-University office job, I decided it was time for a change, and what better way to do this than follow my long-time dream of an American Summer Camp.  After investigating the options, I chose IEP’s Summer Camp USA program (highest salary, lower costs, better service and reputation, etc…).

I first applied to the program in November 2004, and told my boss I was leaving the following April for the USA. Not an easy thing to do considering I didn’t have anything to go to…  After an agonising few months, I got the call that made my day – I was going to YMCA Camp Lawrence as a general counsellor.  The first thing I did was get online and find their website.  Boy was I surprised to find I was going to the best camp in the world – despite what anyone else says, mine is truly the best!  After all – my camp is on an island on Lake Winnipesaukee… I couldn’t think of a better way to spend the NZ winter…

I have now spent three summers at Camp Lawrence since my first trip in 2005, and can think of nowhere I would rather be…

Now, as I pack up my Auckland flat, and deal with my flatmate who is fast becoming an emotional mess, I realise how much that one decision made 6 years ago has changed my life.  I swore I would never live in Auckland…

Two months ago, I began packing my bags for camp, and while this may sounds a little excessive, it meant I was able to start putting aside all the things I like to take with me which you can’t get in the USA such as perky nanas.  I now have one bag, slightly over the 23kg bag limit, and am now working on packing up the life I leave behind each June.

As it starts to get colder, I am ready to depart for North America.  This year I am travelling on 7^th June – Queens Birthday, which will allow me some time at camp before all the staff and then campers arrive.

I invite you to join me at camp this year through this blog, and encourage others at camps across the USA to post comments about your own experiences as well.