VERMONT - BRANBURY BEACH

Today was trip day.

There were van loads of kids with about three different staff members going to all sorts of trips. I went with Karen and Duncan on a short hike at Brandon Gap.

I think it was about 25 minutes up an then another down which, by camp "tripping and hiking" standards is considered short but is 50 minutes of my life I'll never get back.

Actually that was a bit harsh. I mean I love the view at the top (photo one) but the hiking part of it is not my idea of an all out great time.

So I was knackered by the time I got to the top (photo two) but it was a beautiful view and I always find the hike down much easier.

We then went to Branbury Beach to go swimming (or in Karen and my case - lying around in the sun and talking or reading). I learnt my lesson last time at Branbury and I made sure I lathered on the sunscreen. No sooner had I done that than these huge dark clouds filled the sky over the lake. The kids are allowed to swim if it's raining but once there is thunder then they have to get out. The wind blew up (funnily enough the only time it seems to get windy at camp is when there is going to be storm), the thunder rolled in and the rain came down. We waited it out (with the help of an ice cream) and wouldn't you know it, just as it started to clear and we could go back out again, we had to leave.

Still it was a good day (a change from the normal schedule is always great) and better still when I got back to camp it was the start of my day off. Karen, Meg, Tracy, Jenni and I went to Gary's house for a girly night.

I made chicken stir fry (admittedly out of a packet - well not the chicken) and we all just hung out, had a few drinks and a few laughs. Meg was in fine form which always makes for a fun time - she is a mad Kiwi.

VERMONT - PITTSFORD

Today was backwards day.

Basically we do everything in the reverse of what we normally do it (within reason). The kids love it but it's a really confusing day. We even swap staff around in the activities. I ended up in photography. The second photo is Holly and Tracy at the waterfront (they are usually farm and arts & crafts). The first photo is of the tables with the tops and plates and cutlery all around the wrong way.

We wore our clothes backwards (again within reason), had breakfast at dinner time and dinner at breakfast time. The days schedule was all back the front and we did things like boo where we would normally cheer. Which is really opposite not backwards but it all adds to the day.

So the first thing we did when we woke up was made the kids brush their teeth and then read them a story.

Then we finished off the end of the day with a bowl of cereal.

VERMONT - PITTSFORD

So a bunch of the kids left today.

We now only have three left in cabin one.

The same as we started out with in week one of camp.

We're not complaining!
In the afternoon the kids and a lot of the staff left on trips. I stayed at camp to work on the Chirrup and Amy worked on the slide show photos she is putting together for all of the different sessions.

Also Grant left today - back home to Scotland. He was sad to leave but also excited to get home to see his niece (who was born while he was at camp) for the first time.

Here's the next Chirrup.

VERMONT - PITTSFORD

We had staff softball again this Saturday.

We lost again. Much to Gary's delight.

I am still yet to understand why Farney plays in bare feet. Especially considering the horse poo on the field.

But I got a homerun - yay!

In the afternoon there was an all camp (or mostly all - I was working on the Chirrup) game of Judgement Day. It's really like the Mission Impossible game only based on Terminator.

Actually I don't think I explained the rules of M.I, - probably because I didn't play that either so really don't have much of a clue.

Although it's something along the lines of two teams and capturing each others flags while trying to find clues that lead to some treasure.

At least that's what I think.

Maybe.

Anyhoo it was also trunk packing for the kids that were leaving (I Chirruped my way through that too but had checked with the others that it was okay).

As it was the last night we had a cabin party. We took our kids up to the pasture for a fire and to eat a bunch of goodies. We were not having much luck getting the fire started and re-built it a few times (as well as going through half a box of matches). Then it just evolved into a huge great fire. The poor kids could barely cook their marshmallows because we wouldn't let them get too close.

VERMONT - PITTSFORD

Today we are having a banquet for the kids that are leaving tomorrow.

Session 3 is meant to be three weeks but some leave after two. So we have session 3A and session 3B. For some of the kids it's because it may be their first time at camp, so three weeks is a bit long.

Or their school starts back earlier than others.

Or their parents want to go on a family holiday before they go back to school.

So this session it was a Superhero theme run by the Apprenti. We all have a job to do and this time I was on pots and pans. I also helped with the program and carved the meat (scary I know).

The carving part not the program - actually it's not the first I've helped out with the carving.

Wonders will never cease.

So after dinner we had awards for the session 3A kids. I hate this time of night beause the mozzies are out in full force biting the crap out of me.

I mean I'm sure I taste okay but for crying out loud can they not let up for a little while????

VERMONT - PITTSFORD

Okay. So not much happened today.

There was a contra dance at B.C. (like we did in our orientation week just before camp started) but I didn't actually go.

I worked on the Chirrup.

So anyway here's a photo of two of the boys in my cabin - one of them is from England.

VERMONT - ADDISON

Today we had an all camp trip to the Addison County Fair.

And we all went in the big yellow school bus which was a hoot.

It was like a small countrified version of the Royal Melbourne Show and was a fun day out. I went of the ferris wheel with Tim who talked about vomiting the whole time (mostly because he just wasn't feeling well not because a ferris wheel would actually make you feel sick). I'm not into fair rides that make you want to vomit or feel out of control so the ferris wheel is about my limit. I thought the photo with the little Shetland ponies might bring back some memories for everyone who remembers a run in I had with one on Moorooduc Highway when I first got my license way back when.