Hey guys! Something I loved reading about/watching vlogs about before heading to camp was getting to camp! Don't ask me why - maybe it put my mind at rest. I thought I'd give you an insight into my journey to camp if, like me, you're scouring the internet for extra info.
On the 19th June 2017, I arrived
at Edinburgh airport having had about 4 hours sleep, with a bag on my back that
was almost the size of me. I was excited, but absolutely terrified. I wasn’t a
big fan of flying, I was doing this alone and I had no idea what to expect.
Saying goodbye to my family before heading
into security by myself was really difficult, but I knew I had to do this
otherwise I never would!
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| Trying to pretend I wasn't half asleep... |
After wandering around duty free on my own
for a little while, I decided I would just camp out at my departure gate and
wait until the flight was called. I was aware that someone else from my camp
was flying from Edinburgh also but I didn’t know where they were. I received a
message from this person and then we met up! This person was Sean (who would
later turn out to be my co-counselor!)– we chatted before boarding the flight
and agreed to meet at the other side as we were sat in different seats on the
plane. I’m so glad we met as we could discuss our excitement as well as any
concerns and fears that we had.
I was so pleasantly surprised by the flight
– I managed to get some sleep, ate some really good food and then watched a few
films, everything was so relaxed. I was particularly nervous about border
control at the other side but I needn’t have worried. I just presented my
passport, the paperwork needed and was asked one or two questions before I went
to collect my bag. Everyone I encountered was super lovely and I instantly felt
more relaxed.
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| Gotta get that classic plane window shot... |
Following bag collection, we walked into
the terminal to be met my lovely American camp America staff! We were taken to
meet a lot of other people who had also flown in that day before boarding a bus
to the CA hotel. When we arrived at the hotel we attended a brief orientation,
got given our travel to camp instructions and were then allocated rooms. None
of the girls in my room were going to my camp but it was still really fun to
all share our excitement together. There is a Target right across from the
hotel so naturally we all headed there, then ordered take out food for dinner!
We managed to squeeze in a swim as well! Later that evening, 3 more people who
were coming to my camp arrived at the hotel. I’d already met one of the girls
at Orientation back in Newcastle so we arranged to meet. The five of us who
were heading to Trailblazers hung out for a bit before getting some much needed
rest in – the time zone change was causing a little bit of jet lag to kick in!
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| Target trips! |
The next morning, we enjoyed an amazing breakfast in the hotel, another trip to target and waited for our camp to pick us up. Some people left to get buses or trains to camp; we were fortunate enough that our camp came to pick us up. I remember sitting in the hotel lobby with everyone who was going to my camp – tired, apprehensive but ultimately excited. When we got picked up, we put all our luggage in the vans trailer then piled into the van. Less than two hours later, we were at camp.
Pulling into camp was the most surreal
experience. I’d seen photos and videos of camp but nothing prepared me for
heading up the driveway and being dropped off on camp property. Staff that were
already there had gathered to greet us. Lots of cheering, screaming and hugging
ensued. The majority of us had been communicating online prior to arriving so
it was incredible yet bizarre seeing everyone in person. As this was such a new
experience everything did feel strange, but I was feeling unusually at home for
being somewhere so new. I was ready for my summer to begin!
I’ll discuss my first few days and staff
orientation in later posts! As usual, any questions feel free to comment or
reach out on social media.
Until next time,
Lucy
Twitter @lvcym
Instagram @lvcy.m
