Q and A with a circus coach

About the camp: Long Lake Arts Camp goes beyond the traditional idea of a summer arts camp with a unique and nurturing program that caters to boys and girls aged 10 to 16 who want to immerse themselves in a performing arts / acting camp and a fine arts / visual arts camp. Campers can choose from a range of artistic activities including drama, musical theatre, fine arts, dance, music, film making, music and circus.

About the counsellor: Emily worked as a circus coach and is already missing camp life.
NB: Some of these answers have been edited to take out countless excited exclamation points. Emily really loves camp! Really!! We've kept some exclamation points to retain authenticity.

What's your favourite thing about camp?
"My favourite thing about camp so far is all the friends I've made! It reminded me how much fun it is to work with kids! And how making new friends around the world is awesome!!"

Camp's finished. How are you feeling?
"I'm so sad that camp is finished; I don't miss the dining hall food but I miss all the people!! Thank goodness for the internet, I can keep in touch with everyone."

What happened at the end of camp?
"Our camp organised an end-of-camp party for all the counsellors - we had a last night party in the fine arts building (due to the fact that it was raining!!) It was lots of fun with very loud music."

Any culture shocks?
"Whenever the kids or other staff members at the circus lot couldn't understand something I said, or if they looked at me blankly then they'd joke and say I was talking Australian at them! This was especially so when I enquired about the Sunday afternoon flying rehearsal by saying "So no Sunday arvo fly session?" My department head looked at me so blankly and upon explanation proceeded to say that there is no 'V' in afternoon so how can it be shortened to arvo?!"

How did you spend your days off?
"Ventures to lake placid, movie days with other people, lots of kayaking, went tubing, etc etc."

Did you have any bad experiences at camp?
"No, I had an absolute ball!! The camp directors are pretty good at keeping on top of things."

Have you formed some good friendships?
"Yes! As I'm considered non-bunk staff, I live in a bunk with 10 other technical and circus staffers; as a result we have all become very close! This will be nice when any of us want to travel around the world! When we get back to our homes we are going to send each other a "City in Box", which contains random things from our cities. Should be lots of fun!"

And about the kids: be honest, did you have your favourites?!
"All my kids are really awesome! I didn't really have a favourite camper; I guess my least favourite kid is just a younger boy who likes to have everything his way, but when you get down to it he can actually be quite a nice kid. I have pretty small classes so I get to know the kids pretty well!"

Tell us about a memorable camp experience
"Peanut pal night! It was so much fun!! We had a buddy who we had to secretly be nice to for 3 or so days then it ended with a dance where we had to dress up as our peanut pal! The camper who had me did a fantastic job of dressing up as me!! Even down to the sunnies on the head!"