Camp has ended! :( and :)

Hey everyone!

Camp has now ended and some exciting stuff has happened. On the last night of camp we have a banquet followed by an awards evening type thing. There was a new award introduced this year especially for me apparently. They said that this was the only award where they have made an award specifically for a person rather than find a person for the award so I was so so so happy. My name will be up in the playhall on the boards of fame for many ghany years to come. It's called the "Beth Anne Thomas Award for an Outstanding Counselor" or something and Beth Anne (BA) was actually there at the ceremony not knowing that she was having an award named after her. I have a silver cup now that says what it is and stuff and it feels really good to be recognised. I think there are pics and stuff going to be going into the Camp Newsletter that gets sent to all counselors and alumni too. Crazyness. It was weird when they were annoucing it because they describe the person and what they have done and it all pertained (however you spell it!) to me and then I was like thinking surely not ... but then people kept turning around to look at me and I was like wtf. And then they said. This award goes to a counselor from Wales ... Rachael Price. And I was just like in awe. I had all my welsh stuff on too because the theme for the night was Ghany around the world. So it felt good! Wish I had washed my hair prior though as there are gonna be pics of it everywhere! I am really sad to have left my friends though and kinda wish I didnt have a self induced illness this morning as it meant saying bye was less important than preventing myself from vomming which was legit annoying.

At the moment I am in DC. After getting to DC I was a bit stressed about the metro and all sorts of stuff but I pulled myself together and just dealt with it. There were a few shady looking characters at the station but I just dealt with it as I said and looked experienced and tough and luckily no problems. Took a while for me to sort out how to get to the hostel after getting out of the metro center though.

Now I am REALLY excited to go see Nanse and then Carina and to finish off Carla. I am SO SO SO SO excited it's going to be awesome! Just need to sort things out with peeps then I am all ready to go. SO excited! Also excited to see dc though. gotta go 40 secs til i run out of internet time! aaaaaaaaaah!

Rach

Love you all!!!!!! XOXO!

Just a late addition for you.

Mixed feelings about the end of camp.

Hey everyone!!!!

Well, only 2 more nights sleep on the beautiful banks of the Greenbrier river before I have to sadly depart. Or is it sadly? Towards the end of camp tensions have been running high. We have had a major storm and currently 8 kids have had to go home apparently with the common cold. It's a bit crazy!

First things first, the storm. Well this was truly spectacular. I have a couple of pics of the aftermath but haven't managed to get them on the internet yet. So in the evening of "Christmas in July" all the kids were in the playhall watching a movie (film! ... whatever!) and so luckily they were safe, but the thunder and lightning and win and rain were soooo bad that the best part of a tree snapped off and landed on a nearby tent. Luckily that tent wasn't occupied with campers but two counselors were 3ft away from where the tree fell trying to braile or tack (basically close off) the tent at the corners. But I didn't see this. At the time I was just so mesmorised by how bad the winds were. So I run down from the counselors lodge which was where I was at the sudden onset of the storm. And I run past a fallen tree and have to take a double take. Then I see the head of camp Annie and I was like "Is there anything I can do?" and she was like ... "Just tack EVERYTHING in sight" so here I was running around tacking astuff and the storm gets worse and I hear Annie again from the bunkhouse "Run! Get inside NOW!" So I did and stayed in there til the storm died down. Then went out and it was like a military operation in Junior camp trying to get dry bedding and matresses to wet tents whilst some kept the girls from freaking out in the playhall. I just ran around like a mad woman in the ran which was fun. Then Sophie's campers were only young and were frightened of the storm and were freaking out later on when they had got back to the tent so I went to play games with them. So I thought something that needed them to concentrate on the game was best. So I was like " Hi everyone! We are going to play a game now ... It's called the association game ..." so we played that then eventually played the " I went to the store and bought an Apple, a basket, a ...." I can't remember the rest! That was fun and it got them all quiet.

Going to DC on Sunday which I am excited about and from there begin all my travels. woooh! Before that though we have end of term stuff to do. The "Around the World" banquet theme tomorrow night is going to be truly amazing. I am so excited for it!

I got my eval back today from the head of senior camp. And ... 5 means outstanding, 4 means excellent, 3 means good, 2 means ok etc. I got 5's for every single aspect of it and I was so so happy. I told them I didn't deserve it but they argued and I wasn't really up for fighting. So I am hoping next year if I ask to be head of a unit I can do that. That would be cool. Also the camp director writes stuff on this staff noticeboard if people have done good and the other day it said something like "Spotted: Rachael Price giving 100% of herself to Ghany and always volunteering first to do stuff .." or something along those lines and everyone was commenting on it. It was kinda embarrassing though.

I have enjoyed my time at Ghany and it's going to be sad to leave. But at the same time. In a good 9 weeks or whatever I haven't been able to lie in past 8.30am and I cannot wait for Monday morning at the hostel lol. I am gonna miss some of the kids though.

Gonna have to run now need to get back to camp. Oh .. and by the way. I am conquering my fear of the rowboat wooh! :)

Lots of love will try and keep you all updated....

Rach xoxo

Looking green before the crab soccer comp!

Me all ready to represent green unit 3 in the annual crab soccer competition! "We're rough! We're mean! We're Unit 3 the green machine!" Of course ... we won! We me looking so gorgeous how could we not? Carla? Notice the mountain dew bottoms? I though I would add a bit of welsh touch to it too with the shorts over the top :)

Term One comes to a close.

I am happy happy happy happy happy still. Was a touch homesick a few days ago but like not really. Just missing peeps.

Today some of my campers left and it was sad to see them go and a couple made me promise to go back next year. Then a mum came up to me asked me how I was doing and said I had lost loads of weight so I was really chuffed :)

Gotta go ... going to see Harry Potter now.

Still LOVING camp!

Next update: I am STILL loving it here. So so so so so much. It's started to hit home that at some point this has to end but I am trying not to think about it. I absolutely LOVE it here it's amazing. One of the kids (10 years old) said to me the other day. "Rachael do you like camp?" and I was like "Of course!!!" and she was like "Good, are you going to come back next year?" and I was like "I hope so it depends if I can" and she said "Good I hope you do come back and I hope you teach Landsports again because you're really nice" and I was just like "Awwww" and then I had to run off to get my swim stuff on to get in the river for the canoe meet. But things like this really make me happy. I hope I can come back next year it's like the best place ever!

Gonna keep it brief!

Seee ya! And send me postcards! lol.

Term Camp has started and is going well!

Hey followers! (All 4 of you!)

There are some shockingly embarrassing pics for you guys to see. I am on them just find me! :)

Camp is going AMAZING. It started a few days ago and my campers are wonderful. They have taken to calling me Rachelle and I am 100% up for that name! I have 5 wonderful 15 year olds to look after/watch over. They are all amazing. I got a giftcard of $10 the other day for doing a good job at camp and today I got a shout out in the meeting. Apparently I am "Awesome" haha. Not really but the head of senior camp said to me this morning "the campers love you". I have been busting my moves a bit more over the past few days and yeah. It's been awesome.

I have the most wonderful tent mate ever! She is amazing! Ellen is SO cool I absolutely love her to bits! She is amazing and I am glad I will be sharing a tent with her for the rest of the summer. UNIT 2 FOREVER! Crab soccer as you can see up in one of the pics is amazing. I absolutely ADORE that game but I am a bit sore from it still haha. What can you expect?

To all of you who want to find more embarassing pics of me they will be cropping up on the website more often than I can actually get onto the internet so ... www.campalleghany.com is the place to go. Navigate through to find the pics the best way to do it is to find the parents section then find photos. then go to 2009 and then term 1. Happy stalking!

Love you all!

Rach

Almost 1 week into camp!

Hey everyone!

In terms of the journey over it was good. Only one major problem that turned minor. When we got to baggage claim after being in the immigration cue for like an hour and a half my bag wasn't there and never arrived. So I almost had to file a claim for my entire belongings for 3 months until I realised a similar looking bag there. In the end a guy called Shaun had taken it and I ended up walking through his bag with customs at the request of the baggage claim guy and switching. It was a scary experience but I held it together with the aid of my newly made amazing friends who continued to help me out along every step of the way! Thanks guys!

New York was fun! We were only there for a bit and didnt get to experience the full bustling experience but none the less it was enjoyable even if we were all tired. We went to a resteraunt that was actually called " The Resteraunt" so that was interesting and the BLT sandwich I had there was to die for.

The train journey to camp was amazing even if it turned out to be in the region of 11-12 hours. The conductors in there differing styles were extremely entertaining along with the "I was dancing in the disco ... bumpaty bumper ... when all of a sudden ... I said "Where is my jumper"" song.

Camp is amazing in EVERY aspect. The people are great, the food is great, the kids are great. I absolutely LOVE it here. I can't wait for proper camp to begin even though training is just as fun!
I am so glad I am here, all the nerves and all the paperwork were totally worth it! :) This morning I taught kids lacrosse (whilst playing it for the first time myself aswell) and yesterday we taught them how to throw and catch a frisbee so it's been REALLY rewarding even just so far. I LOVE staying in a tent it's amazing and unlike in the UK there is no need to close the tent flaps. We just sleep with them open all the time it's one heck of an experience I absolutely love it.

In terms of food I ate a "biscuit" for the first time this morning and feel fully able to clarify the American version of a "biscuit" when I get back to the UK. After countless conversations with Carla as to what a biscuit actually is I feel relieved to now possess the knowledge haha.

I would love to write all day but I am in the library and have limited time as we need to do other stuff soon.

London!

Ok, so the first major hurdle is over. I am in London and in the hostel wooooh! Although it's pretty early I am going to bed soon. I got upgraded from a 12 bed dorm to a 4 bed dorm because they didnt have 5p to give me. So I was pretty pleased about that. Even more so when I got to my room and it was just me. Maybe some others have checked in so far but it seems likely I will be on my own tonight wooooh! Meeting everyone at the check in desks tomorrow and seriously cannot wait. Slightly worried about the baggage and it's weight and all that shizz but as soon as that's sorted I will be nice and happy. Hopefully I will be alright on the flight. I should be. :) Yeah, I am knackered so I am gonna go to bed soon. Thought I would copy and paste in the following so people can see the other ways to keep in touch etc. Love you all! Rach xoxoxoxox

My Online Travel Journal (linked to my phone)
This should say where I am, the temp, the time, whether my phone is on and how much credit I have on my phone. I will also post photos hopefully of where I am and hopefully send in short journal entries.
Steps to Access it:
1. Log onto: http://www.visitmytraveljournal.com
2. Type in my mobile No: 17813504937
3. Type in my name: Rachael
4. Type in my visitor password: RachPrice

My Facebook
Self Explanatory! Inbox preferably as it’s easier for me to see what I have yet to reply to etc! ;)

My Email
Although I will probably check facebook more often – strongbowrach@gmail.com

My US Phone No.
Probably best to check online whether my phone is switched on or not and how much credit I have. (See online travel journal above for details on how)
Steps to Reach it:
1. Dial 0808 234 7418
2. Listen to the voice prompts then enter my No. (17813504937)

By Mail (until 8th August)
Rachael Price
Camp Alleghany
P.O. Box 86
Lewisburg,
WV 24901-0086
USA.

Don’t post anything that has to be signed for as it’s a PO Box so nobody is there to sign for anything!
Normal Schedule
7:30am (12.30pm) Reveille, get kids up.
8:10 (1.10pm) Breakfast (wear long-sleeves!)
8:45 (1.45pm) Clean up tent for Inspection
9:15 (2.15pm) Assembly in the Playhall—sit with your campers, sing songs, make any announcements you need to make regarding your department/activity
10:00 (3pm) Teaching Sport – Lesson 1
11:00 (4pm) Teaching Sport – Lesson 2
12:00pm (5pm) Hanging out with my 4 kids making sure they are clean etc and are enjoying camp.
1:00 (6pm) Lunch
1:45-3:00 (6.45- 8pm) Rest Hour
3:10 (8.10pm) Teaching Sport – Lesson 3
4:10 (9.10pm) Teaching Sport – Lesson 4
5:00 (10pm) Free Time
6:15 (11.15pm) Dinner
7:30 (12.30am) Evening Activity e.g. Crab Football etc.
8:45 (1.45am) Milk and Cookies
9:40 (2.40am) Kids have to be in bed.

The Sunday schedule is a bit different though...

Summer Calendar
15 Jun – Go down to London.
16 Jun – Depart at 2pm from LHR, Arrive NYC, stay in Hi Hostel New York.
17 Jun – Arrive at camp and get to work!
17 – 20 Jun – Staff Training.
21 – 27 June– Mini Camp.
28 Jun – 18 Jul – Term 1.
19 Jul – 8 Aug– Term 2.
9 –12 Aug – Train to Washington DC, staying over for 3 nights in HiHostel Washington DC.
12 – 13 Aug – Train down to Tampa, Florida.
13 – 17 Aug – Staying with Nanse in Clearwater.
17 Aug – Train to West Palm Beach, Florida.
17 – 20 Aug – Staying with Carina in WPB, FL.
21 Aug – Day out in Orlando (Maybe Disneyland), staying in a hotel.
22 Aug – Fly to Minneapolis, MN.
22 Aug – 4 Sept – Stay with Carla in MN.
4 Sept – Fly to NYC.
4 -7 Sept – NYC staying in Hi Hostel, NYC hopefully.
7 Sept – Fly back home and possibly arrive late.
8 Sept – Possibly arrive on this day.

Not Long at all now. Aaaaaaaaah!

Hey everyone!

So it's not long to go at all now and yet I still haven't packed. I am hopefully getting my holdall thingy tonight and then can get going. wooooh! I said goodbye to the one and only Julie Powell yesterday which was quite upsetting coz I love her lots and lots (but not in a gay way!) lol. This time next week I can invisage myself waking up in a tent and getting ready for an action packed day of training. I am excited but also really quite nervous so we will have to see how things go. I am writing lists at the moment which is obviously what you are supposed to do rather than real packing at this stage :| I am sure it will all be fine .... ;) I think I am going to put a note on my facebook entitled "How to contact me whilst I am gone" so this could be useful for some out there maybe ... I won't drone on too long. It's so so so close though! Aaaaaah!

Rach

Mid-way through my majorly busy weekend ...

Hey everyone!

So I am mid-way through my majorly busy weekend, I have an essay due in in around 5 hours and in around 6 hours I am getting a train to London. Yesterday I had the orientation for my programme in Birmingham which was amazing! The BUNAC director is SO funny and it was such a laugh to listen to him talk and reel in all the good advice all the different people there had to offer. So saturday I came back to Bangor, then a few hours later got a train to Birmingham, then ... believe it or not folks I successfully used a map to navigate my way to the hostel. Was a bit apprehensive if I am honest at first, ended up going for a breather to subway in apparently one of Birmingham's roughest areas. But the subway was nice and it gave me a chance to pull myself together and get back to the hostel. Then ended up playing wii mario kart with some australians and some americans which was cool. Then yeah, I had the orientation the next day and hey presto last night very late I arrived back in Bangor having done 1,000 words of my essay on the train. Woooh! Now I just have the other 1,500 to reel off pretty fast lol. But ah well. Then later I am going down to London and staying over at the Generator hostel before I have my interview at 8am at the US Embassy. Considering I have to be up at around 6 to ensure I am at the BUNAC office by 7. It's going to be a long day. Especially seen as I will only be getting back in Bangor at like midnight or later. But I am already starting to feel a bit of a travelling buzz. Especially after orientation the other day. It's filled my with confidence to go out there and really make a difference to the kids lives that I will be working with.

Right I guess I really better had get down to my essay now...

~Rach

The Kick Off

Hey everyone!

First and foremost welcome to my blogspot! I thought given this summer is going to be an ultimately life-changing one for me I would like to document it and let people in on my goings on not just whilst in the states but also on my emotions in the lead up.

At the moment I am currently stressing out quite a bit, in a couple of weeks I have orientation in Birmingham and my visa interview in London which require some planning still with regards to youth hostels and train tickets. Shame about the two essays and the dissertation proposal that I need to get to grips with aswell! I never said embarking on a trip this big would be easy. I consider it a necessary challenge thus to enable me to be more capable at time management and organisational skills in the future. Aswell as being able to acknowledge that some things just aren't worth stressing too much over! A skill I really do need to be able to develop sooner rather than later.

I can't wait to get to camp though! Camping in ridge tents for 10 weeks is like a dream come true for me as sad as it sounds. It's going to be a hectic time but a time to clear my thoughts and rethink who I am as an individual, obviously whilst teaching lovely American kids why our version of "Football" is much more logical than theirs. I really hope it's going to be not only good experience but a good time to establish who I am as a person together with some of the values I try so hard to uphold.

In the past few days I have also been thinking of some travel options. So far the plan after I finish camp on the 8th August is to ride a train to Washington DC, stay there a few days, then ride a train to Florida where I will be meeting two amazing friends of mine and then flying to Minnesota to meet one of my closest yet geographically most distant friends before flying to New York and then flying home. It's going to cost a lot but it's going to be awesome. I watched the film "Jumper" today and I really started to get a feel for the travelling bug, it's just a matter of how much I will be able to fund. I aim to go stateside every other year for as long as I care to think about, but obviously I would love to go to other places too! With regards to this trip I am not too fussed about hitting every single state; it's an implausibility, but I'll be back!!!

Hope I didn't rabit too much. Post 16th June I expect things will get alot more exciting. I hope so anyway!!!!

~ Rach

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That's for a friend of mine. She knows who she is!