This weeks post I am going to give you an insight into 3 months that changed my life. Why now? Why bother? Well I am addicted to the Timehop app and it recently reminded me (I didn't need too much reminding) it has been a year since I spent 3 months stateside. It really was the best experience and I wouldn't change a single moment.
(In New York living my American dream)
It all started in September 2013 when out of boredom I started researching into summers in America because I couldn't bare a summer sat at home doing nothing. So after hours of searching I decided I wanted to try the summer camp experience. There are many companies out there that help you with this experience so you can shop around. I went through a company called Camp Leaders. For me, personally, they were so helpful and tried their absolute hardest to get you hired and on your way to America and I loved that. One of the things they do to be super helpful and get you to America is that they organise job fairs for people to get hired by camps.
(Left: The camps bus, Right: My smore making wasn't too bad)
It was at one of these job fairs that I got hired by the best camp in the world (I'm serious, there is no better camp) Tamarack Camps. While I was queueing I got to talk to some previous international staff who were sussing you out to see if you were right for the job. When you got hired they got you in a circle and shouted welcome home. After that it was a long wait until I could finally get on my way 'home'. Like anyone would be, I was terrified to go. Travelling half way across the world on my own it was scary. I met two others going to my camp at Heathrow and we had our last bacon sarnie (Jewish camp problems) and got on the plane to Detroit. After a long flight we landed and after meeting more people from camp we were on our way. We left the airport on a Forrest Gump style bus. I was sold. American life would be easy and it only got better.
(a view of the lake from the flag poles)
Tamarack Camps is a large Jewish camp in Ortonville, Michigan with campers ranging from 5-16. The campers I worked with were special need adults (18+) in the Avodah programme. They never failed to keep a smile on my face and keep us all laughing for hours and hours. Being around your campers pretty much all day everyday was tiring and got to much, but camp knew this and gave us lots of opportunities to burn off steam or chill. Whether it was organising days off for the international staff, fun activities for us all to try like roller disco, or letting you have a period off if you were really struggling. I got the opportunity to go on a camping trip in Mio where we canoed and swam in the massive lake there. It was incredible. Everyday was different but so much fun. Towards the end of camp you forgot you were working as everyday was just so great. However you slowly came to terms with the fact you were leaving and soon travelling. I had made a little (or not so little) family with all the people there from fellow brits to Americans and Israeli's. I was devastated to leave them but I knew that I had 3 weeks of travelling that would be just as fun as camp and I would see some of them again soon.
(Left: the Chicago theatre, Right: Me on the SkyDeck, I was terrified)
In my 3 weeks of travelling I visited Chicago, Indianapolis, Washington D.C, and New York. Every town and city brought its own memories and adventures. Chicago there was a big group of us staying in hostels and we all met up again, which settled all our post camp blues. I also got to conquer my fear of being by glass at height (its odd, I know) on the Sky Deck. I was so nervous but after crawling onto the edge I sat there for a few minutes and managed to stand. I was so proud. I also ate at my first Man V Food featured restaurant, Giordano's, true Chicago style deep dish pizza. True heaven. Indianapolis had the best hotel of my travels by far. A massive bed, free cupcakes, and a bath. Something I had been craving for a long time. However, there wasn't too much to do in Indianapolis, we shopped, biked, and worked on our tans but that is all we could do really.
(Left: New Yorks number 1 tourist attraction, the Naked Cowboy, Right: the Statue of Liberty from the Staten Island Ferry.)
I had a quick pitstop in New York for a week but only after a 20 hour Greyhound bus journey. Loads of people were warning me about Greyhound busses but they worked for me and I didn't have a bad experience on any of the ones I went on and would recommend them to anyone. While in New York I did all the usual touristy stuff. Times square every night, shopping, and the Empire State Building. It also brought some drama as the girl I was travelling with twisted her knee. Finding an emergency room in Brooklyn that would take her was so tricky. After all that drama I was glad to be escaping the hustle of New York to meet some of the boys from camp in D.C. I loved Washington, seeing the monuments all lit up at night was magical. It was so calm and I felt so safe (maybe because I was with 3 boys). We spent hours and hours walking and exploring the city and checking out the museums, I learnt lots about planes... fun? maybe. However I got to see a space shuttle, that was very cool. After that it was back to NYC to discover more of the city. We had all been before so wanted to see different things. This lead us to going on to Intrepid's Hangar Deck. It was more planes but also more space shuttles that made me very happy.
(Left: Monuments at night in D.C, Right: The White House, Hello Mr. President.)
It was super sad to be leaving America when September came around. I made so many memories I will hold dear to forever. If you are deciding whether to do Camp Leaders or a Camp America programme I would highly recommended it. Every camp is different, my camp was quite laid back and chilled, they also organised a lot for us at and away from camp. This isn't the same everywhere but from what I have heard, they are just as fun. Its not all like Beaver Fall's so don't go out just expecting to shack up with an American, its way more than that. Also if you cant see yourself in the camp way of life, I would highly recommend travelling America. It is stressful at times but it is so different everywhere you go. I definitely will head back someday, to camp to visit or to travel more. Michigan will always have a place in my heart and I will never forget those Ortonville sunsets.
(Left: the start of an Ortonville sunset, Right: The sun setting from the Empire State Building)
Stay tuned to things I am up to by checking out my Twitter and Instagram, see you Monday.Love Katie x
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