The IEP office is always a-buzz with camp chat and stories of another summer in America, and never more so with Summer Camp USA now underway for 2011! So what's all the laughing and camp fun about?! Check out what our Summer Camp USA Coordinator Dylan thinks about camp! And don't forget, you can talk to Dylan by emailing him at dylan.stewart@iep.org.au or calling our IEP office on (03) 9329 3866!

When did you go to Summer Camp?
I went to camp in the glorious summer of 2006. With studying and other worldly travel taking place since, unfortunately I haven’t physically been back to camp (yet). In my memory though, it’s like I’m at camp every day!

What’s your favourite thing about camp?
The chance to experience life in a different country, experiencing a different culture and helping kids have the time of their life! I don’t think I’ve ever laughed as much as I did over those couple of months. The weather’s pretty darn good too.

Camp’s finished. How are you feeling?
Like I’ve just run three consecutive marathons. I’m coming down off an adrenalin rush that’s lasted over the entire summer. Camp lifestyle is exhausting, but that’s only because you’ll put in 110% every minute of every day. 

What did you do after camp?
I took the opportunity to travel further through the USA & beyond. I visited family in Canada, before coming back to catch up with my camp friends in New York City & Boston to reminisce and of course, laugh again. I then travelled throughout South America, but nothing in my trip compared to the experiences I had @ camp.

What was a usual day at camp like?
Usual? Yeah right! There’s literally no such thing as a usual day at camp. There are always early mornings (well, 7am isn’t too ridiculous I guess) and unbridled chaos at every meal time. You’ll teach skills and prepare lesson plans for the kids, you’ll get frustrated when they muck around, but when the sun goes down and the kids are in bed, you’ll look back on the day with only fond memories – and look forward to tomorrow.

What was your favourite activity at camp?
Well I was the play director & piano guy, so I’ve got to say drama! But I also loved getting involved and playing some golf in my down time, shooting some arrows at the archery targets and learning how to play baseball (even though I was terrible at it!)

Any culture shocks?
The camp I worked at was quite an affluent one, so some of the kids – and their parents – had slightly different lifestyles and expectations from camp. The other major thing was the presence of cheese on everything! Needless to say, I certainly found myself hovering around the salad bar more than normal, as well as going for daily runs throughout the green, green surroundings.

How did you spend your days off?
Usually all the activity counsellors and about half of the bunk counsellors had two days (one night) off together. We’d quite often book a whole bunch of rooms at a hotel, and just hang out in a different setting. I explored cities like Albany and Syracuse, NY, as well as chilling in the pool or by the lake at camp.

Did you have any bad experiences at camp?
I missed my girlfriend, family & friends dearly. However I was able to call them pretty much whenever I wanted, and email was always available. Of course, I made so many new friends that ever since camp it’s those friends I now keep in touch with!

Have you formed some good friendships?
Whether it’s hanging out with Aussie pals in my home town of Melbourne, or catching up with American and British friends who are in town, the friendships I made are long-lasting and amazing! I also lived in the UK recently, and spent weekends travelling into the countryside to hang out with more mates – a great (and cheap) way to travel.

And about the kids… be honest, did you have your favourites?!
There is so much energy in every kid, that it’s hard not to like every single one. Some of their energy might be occasionally misplaced, but at the end of the day they love camp, they love having fun, and that’s what it’s all about.

Tell us about a memorable camp experience…
A 10-year old boy who wasn’t the most popular kid at camp volunteered to be in the camp play. He did a solo dance to Michael Jacskon’s Thriller and absolutely nailed it. The entire camp was blown away, and from that day that young man had no shortage of female suitors – an unforgettable feel-good moment.

Summer Camp – Get involved!