Wednesday, 25 July 2012

You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream....


 In the craft shop yesterday some of the counsellors were writing a bucket list of things they want to achieve in life. This got me thinking about a list I wrote two years ago; 30 things to do before I am 30. As I draw nearer my 27th Birthday I thought it's about time I get this list out again and see what I have achieved and what I still need to do.

 30 things to do before I am 30

1.Sing at an open mike night
  1. Go to a festival
  2. Design and keep an English Garden
  3. Climb the three peaks in the UK
  4. Read great Expectations
  5. Go to a drive in movie
  6. Take part in a triathlon
  7. Learn to like tea so I can justify having a teapot
  8. Be able to throw a pot on a pottery wheel
  9. Go on a road trip across France
  10. Be greeted at an airport like on the start of Love Actually
  11. Learn to play guitar
  12. Ride in a hot air balloon
  13. Hike in the Grand Canyon
  14. Sleep under the stars on top of a mountain
  15. Cycle from Land's End to John o' Groats
  16. Go Paragliding
  17. Backpack around Asia
  18. Go Skinny Dipping
  19. Knit a blanket for me
  20. Go to India
  21. Go and visit my extended family in Canada
  22. Sell my art work
  23. Go on a romantic picnic
  24. Visit the Pyramids
  25. Go on a week long sailing trip
  26. Hike the The Pindos Traverse, Greece
  27. Laugh everyday

Monday, 23 July 2012

Candle Light


It only takes a spark to get a fire going, that's how it is with Huckins love once you've experienced it.




At the end of every session camp has candle light. Candle light is a traditional none denominational ceremony were campers and staff all get together and reflect on their time at camp.  It is held at nightfall with all the camper arriving in their pyjamas.  The ceremony begins with the everyone sat in the dark with just the glow from the moon, Jody (the camp director) leads the ceremony reflecting on time that session.  During the ceremony a single candle is lit. From that single candle the staff and campers candles are lit, slowly the dark of the woods becomes bright with the glow of candles. 


At the end of the ceremony the campers slowly walk back to their cabins with their counsellors. The program staff are left behind and we stand in a circle and think of a time from that session that has meant something to us and share with everyone else.
I love candle light, it is truly one of the magical moments of camp.
Katie .x.x

Wednesday, 18 July 2012

I loooove Monopoly

Monopoly is my all time favourite game.So many memories are attatched to this game. From a four day Monopoly marathon when I was 12 in Cornwall to Langdfale Road kids monopoly games. I can now attatch another memory to the game, for board game day today me and 20 other members of staff dressed up as monopoly. It is amazing what a bit of cardboard, paint and the hot glue gun can achieve :) 

The most amazing fancy dress costumes ever!
 
 
 

 
 

Monday, 16 July 2012

Sunday Sundaes

Number three on what makes Huckins so great is Sunday Sundaes.
A Sunday Sundae
 A Sunday Sundaes are not complicated it is what it is. At Sunday dinner we get to save our spoon and have ice-cream, chocolate sauce, cherries and sprinkles what could be more fabulous.  


So on your next Sunday don't forget to make your own Sunday Sundae. 


Huckins love.


Katie. x.x

Thursday, 5 July 2012

Dress up Lunches

 
Contrast lunch
Dress up lunches! One of the many things on my list of what makes Huckins so amazing and special.

In normal life you might go to the odd fancy dress party now and again. At Huckins however Lunch time is no ordinary lunch time it's the perfect chance to dress up! Pink Lunch, Character from a book, Red Lunch, Zombie Lunch are just some of the chances we have had the last week and a half to dress up.

From the announcement at flag in the morning, to the 45 minutes after morning activities in which campers and staff have to get ready. Huckins girls will truly go all out to make sure they are not the only one not wearing pint that day. It amazes me every time the amazing costumes that are created from very little. 

Contrast Lunch


Programe Staff 2012- Contrast Lunch
Red Lunch
Canada Lunch

Red Lunch
 Zombie Lunch




So if your lunch time is a little dull and boring today why not make it Nellie and dress up.

Katie.x.

Sunday, 24 June 2012

Salutations from Huckins

Me and my room mates outside our cabin

Hey everybody, after a six year break I am writing this blog post at Camp Huckins on Lake Ossipee in Freedom New Hampshire.  In-case you missed it I left New Zealand over three and a half weeks ago and headed to the USA and Camp Huckins.  I was last at the camp in 2005 when I was 19 years old and for the last six years I have been meaning to come back but life kept getting in the way. This year however I had the perfect opportunity to return.

After a very long trip to get to the States I touched down in New York on Saturday June 9th.  feeling slightly jet lagged I made it through customs and into New York with not too much hassle, only getting a little confused at the the way in which the streets are named.    A night in New York followed by two bus rides via Boston I finally made it to Conway ready to be picked up by Mark another international staff member who began his Huckins experience in 2005 and is now a full time member of staff 7 years later.

After two weeks of getting ready for the campers to arrive. We are now finally up and running, having welcomed the 1st session campers on Saturday 23rd.

So what is Huckins you may be wondering?
Camp Nellie Huckins is an all girls camp in Freedom New Hampshire. It is lots of green and white cabins surrounded by pine trees beside a lake. It is a place that has that will capture the heart and inspiration of anybody who enters. (hence why I am back seven years later) It is a place that allows girls to be girls for two weeks every summer. 
 
Meeting New People
Over the next 10 weeks I will add entries on here that will explain Camp Huckins to you all. But to sum it up for now camp for me is sharing a room for ten weeks,  eating family style, standing on benches to sing, flag raising, making amazing friends, chapel talks, dress-up meals, cabin activities, the waterfront, awards, craftshop, the island, loons, vespers, talent shows, program days, camp-fires, Hucksters ceremonies and Candlelight. 
Dress Up Lunches
Awards
During staff week I was in a meeting and suddenly the cheers theme tune came to mind which I thought summed up Huckins perfectly. 
Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got.
Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.

Wouldn't you like to get away? 

Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
and they're always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see,
our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows
Your name.

You wanna go where people know,
people are all the same,
You wanna go where everybody knows your name.


Keep coming back to find out more at life at Camp Huckins. 

Thanks for reading, 
Katie .x.x

Sunday, 10 June 2012

Cabin fever


Hey everyone, currently on my 8th hour of a 15hr flight. This is the longest flight I have ever done, and I think I am starting to get cabin fever. Eeeek. When you get excited to hear Jackson five and Madonna and don’t care that people see you dancing in your seat I think it is safe to I am slowly going insane.
I'm on my way to New York having broken up the rest of the journey slightly over the last couple of days. I began in Auckland on Wednesday flying to Melbourne. This flight was not too bad only 6hrs. Then on Saturday I flew from Melbourne to Shanghai (11hrs) having a 15 hour lay over in Shanghai. Which was slightly surreal. I was staying at a hotel at the airport but was not in the least bit tired so ventured into the city to look for food. Definitely an experience in it self.

And then today I began the last part of my journey flying from Shanghai to New York, and that's currently where you find me writing this. I have managed to sleep for about 2hours of my time so far but now wide awake. I have watched a movie on my laptop, tried to read a book and been beaten by my phone at solitaire a lot. Only another 7 hours of boredom to go. :) For the last two hours I have been flitting between two thoughts/ The first being food; Pringle’s, French fries, four cheese pizza and bagels loaded with cream cheese. Oh my goodness, heaven. Its a good job its all American food that I'm craving as I will certainly be on the hunt this evening for all of the above. My second thought is I am claustrophobic what the hell am I doing in this plane for 15hrs this is hell. ARGH. (it's a shame sailing is so expensive and takes so long that would be so much better than this)

On the bright side though we seem to be chasing sunsets and sun rises around the world at the moment so the view outside my window is pretty incredible. 

 
Well I guess it's back to the flight I go. If I ever mention to anyone in the future that I am planning on embarking on a 15hr flight, please, please stop me from booking. Or at least make sure I go with an airline that provides entertainment at my seat and has Pringle's on board. Awkward

See you all in New York.

Katie. x.x

Sunday, 3 June 2012

Island life is the the place for me!


Hey everyone.
My South Island road trip has now ended and I am now on my last week in New Zealand :(  (for this trip anyway). I am currently staying on an Island close to Auckland called Waiheke. I arrived on Thursday afternoon in Auckland as I had my embassy appointment for my USA visa Friday morning , which all went swimmingly (although for some reason I did get very worked up about it thinking the US would not let me in). On Saturday I decided to leave Auckland , as I am not the biggest fan of huge cities and head somewhere new. A friend of mine had recommended Waiheke Island, which is a 40 min ferry trip away so I figured what have I got to loose. I walked down to the waterfront with my 21kg pack (which it turns out is very uncomfortable to carry, eeeek) and hopped on the next ferry.

I arrived in Waiheke Island with stunning sunshine, after a quick bus ride to my accommodation (the best hostel I have been to yet. ) I headed out to see the sights. My main plan for my time on Waiheke to rest, take things slow and just enjoy. As one of my quirky quotes says- 'good and quickly seldom meet' This was certainly achieved on my first afternoon here. I walked, slept on the beach, painted and enjoyed yummy home cooked food and company all at a nice relaxed slow down pace; heaven! 
Waiheke Island Life, the perfect place to relax and chill out.
Enjoying stunning views
 
My second day has pretty much been the same. With me walking around the island and truly taking advantage of a little down time and letting my body recover from a few months of busy time. Waiheke and it's relaxed Island life certainly lends itself to this. I walked to palm beach and then over to rocky cove. Stopping by a shop along the way where I bought these three lovely ceramic hearts. 
Two weeks of travelling and the curly hair is back!
After an hour of drawing at Rocky Cove the weather started to turn and I decided to head to the main hub of Waiheke, Oneroa and find a cup of tea. This alas was not found as instead I was side tracked by the smell of fish and chips (I am English after all). 
Yum.
A small walk back to my hostel and I was greeted by my hostel hosting a BBQ with amazing food and sangria, a perfect end to a fun day of Island life.

Katie. x.x.