CatchUp

So much information has been shared with us over the past 5 days that I've been sleeping like a log and the days have all gone by so quickly! Tomorrow the campers will be here and camp will be officially underway. I now know all the names of my 10 campers, (many of which will be coming to camp for the first time!) and also any extra information we may need about our 7/8 year olds. Such as allergies, sleeping patterns and any activities their parents want them to try out.

Rewinding further to our many staff lectures on camp philosophy, other policies/procedures and some really fun guest speakers with all sorts of tips, tricks and advice to make it the 'best summer ever'. We also got to know the owners and directors with various talks. Followed by a load of team building within your units (age group / cabins.) All the senior staff of camps in the area (some of which visited to speak) are some how connected by camper/counselor relationships many moons ago. Or even colleges at other camps too. If you really accept the place and the people it seems you can create strong connections and build networks.

By the way, the food here has been amazing so far. Always a bunch of fruit or veg, tasty meals followed by dessert too! Everyone was also introduced to the inter-staff competitions including hockey - so excited! Go Mouseketeers! Also just now we were taught some fun camp songs that we get to chant whilst standing on the benches after lunch! This is about seeing who is the loudest, and can has the best chants for their unit.

Needless to say its going to be so fun this summer, but I haven't even scratched the surface of all the stuff I've recently learnt. I can hopefully keep posting like this from the staff computers.. That is if I don't fall asleep by 10 everyday from sheer exhaustion and cant find the time. We'll see! Until next time..!

Pre Camp!

So I'm at camp, and this place is unbelievable. So many fun activities and a tonne of super nice, friendly people! The kids arrive Thursday afternoon and tonight is the staff celebration meal! Which is why I'm able to update via cafe wifi. I will eventually find the computer room and start doing it on the regular and flesh out my posts. For now I'm safe and happy and so excited to start camp offically!!

Love to all my family and hope to catch up soon! xx

My Week In Ottawa

The past few days have been amazing. Getting back in touch with a dear friend and his family, and getting to know the nations capital has been great fun! Ottawa is a lovely clean city which was nice to walk around and only a couple of bus rides from Nicks digs in the suburbs. Quite lovely suburbs where you can find the classic wide roads, neat houses and friendly young neighbours.

It was a funny visit. The bloke that greeted me at the station was far from the fresh faced, short haired kid I had known all those years ago. Fracaphone Nick had obviously picked up some styling tips from Montreal from the years he lived there.

But it was instantly just like old times, and everyone in the family was keen to be filled in on the news from back home. It was lovely to be accepted as family. That being said, I definitely worked for my rent! They had moved in 6 months ago so were still busy with making the household their own. So the day after I arrived I was outside all day, getting my hands dirty with the lads of the house reshaping the garden! The pictures above were our well earned reward. I'll have to get some pictures.

The next day I was absolutely shattered so we had a relaxed day and went to some of the outlets nearby where I stocked up on essentials for camp. The usual: toiletries, spare trainers and bug spray! I'm so afraid of being bitten to death after Mitsey warned me on my very first train ride in Toronto. But I feel prepared now. And then followed by a Father's Day treat - Chinese. Get in.

By now it was Monday - about time we got the bus into downtown Ottawa. Where nick had hardly been himself! So the exploration was good for him too. Luckily for us ribsfest was still on in the city centre so I had so kicksss BBQ ribs and then we went to Nando's. A throwback for Nick as they're less common  across the pond. The afternoon was spent wandering round the natural history museum but we were soon spent (that gardening work I tell you..) so we went and got the bus sharpish.

Tuesday was another day in the suburbs chilling at home and long boarding to the park to chuck a ball around. The evening was especially enjoyable - went to see wonder woman (me, nick and his sister Ellie) which was amazing. However I have some disturnpbing news about the popcorn.. they serve it savoury with some butter. But not only that, there is a machine with which you can add MORE butter. Blech. 

Wednesday! Familly trip into town where we saw 100s of people doing yoga on Parliament hill! Where was my invite? Turns out it's a weekly free session and it looks so fun. I'll have to come back eh? Instead we headed straight to byward market. A bustling area with tonnes of markets, food joints and stands celebrating the 150th anniversary of Canada being a thing. So naturally I'm decked out in Canadian wear ready for July 1st which promises to be fun. The capital certainly seemed in the spirtit! At byward market we had brunch at my dinner.. that's right! Zak's Dinner exists and has damn food. But no medium mens t shirts.. damn. Another reason to return! We also savoured the delights of the famous Beaver Tail pastries, dangerously tastes. I mean, look at that face.

Which brings us to today, travel day. But also a day of firsts - my first Tim Hortons donut and "double double" (drip coffee with double cream and double sugar.. Its hardly a coffee but fun to try!) One VIA train journey later and a short walk and I should end up in the CCUSA booked hostel on church street, Toronto called HI-Toronto hostel which apparently hosts a pub crawl every Thursday evening so we'll see if I make it in time for that! 

Tomorrow will be a good day touristing Toronto with some of my camp colleagues after they do all their bank and business nonsense- ahaha I've already done all that! 

Until next time, love to my family xxx

Ps. Not sure if I'll be able to update when I get to camp but we'll see. THE ADVENTURE IS BEGINNING.. HYPE

The Week Before Camp

Travel Day

10am Manchester-12:30 Toronto YYZ, UP Express (sky train) - Union Train Station (torn apart by renovations) - Fallowfield, Ottawa 19:45. Where I will meet up with my long lost mate Nick! 6 years since I've seen the bloke who was my best friend through school. I'm a bit nervous but I'm sure with our easy going attitudes it'll be good fun.

I will be living under his roof till the 22nd June when I'll travel back to Toronto for my staff orientation and bus to camp on the 24th! From the brief, window framed glimpse of Toronto it looks like quite a nice city, that I will be sure to return to.

It's been a straightforward trip, I utilised the friendly information staff and friendly Canadian people around me to get from A to B. Like Mitsey (my best interpretation of the spoken name!) a personal trainer and who recently met her 6th grandchild in Copenhagen! We had a great friendly chat and gave me loads of tips for surviving camp life in Parry Sound (Bug. Spray.) and also my train journeys. Random acts of kindness and friendliness really makes you smile.

I'll be sure to update with my touristy exploits over the next couple days in the nations capital!
Until next time..!