9/10 Camp

I experienced my first Camp Clayton camp this weekend. It was their camp for grade 9 and 10 students and it ran over the course of 4 days, but was about 3 days in actual length. It was a bit overwhelming at first not really knowing any of the volunteer staff or how camps here run. However, as soon as the kids began to arrive it became clear to me that even though it is different than CROW, it is really quite the same. The goals are the same and essentially we are doing the same thing. The campers acted the same as they do in that age group in Canada. And it seems that camps in Australia also tend to attract the same sort of volunteer staff as they do in Canada. It didn't take long at all for me to feel comfortable. I also found that some of the volunteer staff I have met remind me very specifically of people I know who volunteer at CROW. Its a bit funny.

I will say, however, that there were sometimes that I felt quite out of place. That was mainly due to the fact that here in Tassie, and in Australia in general, they have different names for almost everything. They also have quite a bit of slang. So sometimes a camper or staff member would ask me something, or try to tell me something, and I would just stare blankly at them. Then ask them to repeat themselves. Then ask them what that means. Then explain how we would say it in Canada. Then finally get to the point of whatever was going on in the first place. But it is alright. They are all good about it and seem to enjoy educating me on Australian culture and pronunciation. I have also been doing my fair share of answering questions and educating people on Canadian culture. I' m not sure what I was expecting to be asked about, but the most common thing I am asked is what the difference is between an elk and a moose. I have probably been asked that one at least half a dozen times so far. 

 I am very much looking forward to the next camp. It is for grades 7 and 8. Alex and Tamara are program directing and I will be speaking. Which is a bit intimidating, but I am still excited. If you felt so inclined, I would greatly appreciate your prayers as I prepare for that. The theme for the week is sort of Canada. Basically it is a camp where Alex and Tamara are trying out a bunch of the things they saw at CROW that they thought were awesome and would work here at Camp Clayton. I think that it is going to be fantastic.

And since blogs are much more interesting with photos, here are a couple. This is my room and the view from one of my windows.

The ocean is just behind those trees.