I just want to start off with a quick update- as of Friday, I earned enough money to pay my initial deposit for Semester at Sea! This means I am officially enrolled and have a cabin spaced held for me on the ship. Now I will be able to move forward with the process and begin applying for financial aid, loans, and scholarships. In a couple months I will be able to register for classes and begin planning really planning my trip! A big shout-out and thank you to everyone who has already donated to my GoFundMe. I can’t even express how much it means to me. Kim, Harold and Toni, Aunt Sue, Debby and Neil, and Oliver for donating, and anyone who has shared my link and shown their support, I am so grateful. I wouldn’t be able to do this without you all. ❤
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I wanted to quickly talk about one of my summer jobs. During the week, I help out in the art room at the Woodstock Day School- Summer Adventure camp. Two days a week I am assisting with ceramics, helping the kids with different projects using clay and glazes. The other three days I am in the general art room, doing everything from collages to beading to henna tattoos. Spending several summers there has left me with a generous amount of crafts and memories, all made with the help of the children I work with.
The best part about my position is that I not only get to spend all day doing art (which I love), but I have the opportunity to get to know all of the campers and counselors, which I would not get to do if I stayed with the same group all day. I work with everyone from preschool to fifth grade or higher, and it’s amazing to come back each year and see how they’ve grown. Some of the campers who are now in the 9+ group, I met when they were still in kindergarten. I’ve gotten to know so many wonderful people of all ages, and though work can be tiring, ultimately there are few better ways I can think of to spend the summer.
WDS Summer Adventure has been growing over the last few years, this summer having the largest enrollment yet. One big draw is the pool, where campers have a chance to swim once or twice a day, under the watchful eye of several caring and committed lifeguards. The rest of the time, they are participating in other activities, including sports, hip-hop/dancing, yoga, singing, gardening, and what makes our camp unique- African drum and dance. At the end of each session there is an all camp gathering where families are welcome to come watch the groups perform songs, dances, and drumming they have learned over the weeks!
The director of the camp, Pam, is an amazing boss and an even more amazing person, and her husband Mimo can brighten my day just by giving me one of his genuinely thankful smiles. Year after year, they bring so much energy, life, and culture to the camp and the people in it. When life gets hard, it’s easy to just think about yourself. But Pam, Mimo, Debbie, and everyone else involved in making Summer Adventure what it is, put all of their hearts into making the camp some place kids can feel safe, happy, unique, and want to keep returning to. It is a truly wonderful place to be.
This summer is coming to a close, but if you are interested for next year, check out this link for more information!
I’m going to leave you with a funny story about one of the campers. Last week we gave the kids blank books that they could draw in and fill with memories of camp. The three and four years-olds (referred to this year as “dolphins and whales”) in the preschool group are unable to write, so when they were finished scribbling drawing in their booklets, we sat down and asked what was happening on each page.
Her counselor wrote down word for word what this particular toddler said, and needless to say we were slightly terrified (but so amused) by the story this little girl came up with.
As always, thank you!
meant for me.
Elaina Nicole Eccleston 