WEEK 3...Oh YEHHHHH!!!!!!!

The week that was:

Best Theme, Campfire cooking & Counselor/camper look-a-likes

So…this is the third week of camp, which is awesome, but sad since we are now at the half way point of the disability sessions at camp. This week we had the oldest campers…and truly they were the oldest as some fellow counselors thought that they were new counselors assigned to my unit ( So??? Who are the new counselors) they were asking, and when they realized who they were, they went white either because of embarrassment or shock…to this day I still can’t be sure.

Also this week since we have the oldest campers, the campers also get a 2 hour morning block class instead of 2 separate activities, and luckily I have the chance to re-teach my campfire cooking class, now known as “Campfire Cooking from Down Under”, which is awesome, and also a chance to spread a bit of the “Aussie” culture in the lights of Damper and Bush tucker. So I gave my spill and had 11 people sign up to my class. It was set at one of the hottest spots on camp, Tipi Village, which is one of the campsites we use for campouts, but more of that later. It was a great class to teach, everyone enjoyed the food apart from 1 or 2 saying that damper tasted like cardboard (because they didn’t put anything on it), but it was all a laugh and all in good fun.

This week, units 3 and 4(our units) won Best theme YEHHHHHHHH. Theme is when you pick a certain subject, category, anything that creates fun and innovative ways to portray it. Its fun for the kids or for this week the oldest campers, as we chose the Theme pop (whilst everyone else this week picked a letter). Everyday we did something different; we did popsicles, popcorn, pop music and created a chant to ‘I Like to Move It’ saying “ I like to pop it pop it, we like to pop it pop it… oh yes we like to pop it. WE Like to…POP IT” it was so much fun, and we did so much work for it and it was so satisfying when we won, especially since the kids got into it as well. Like at the Camp Talent show, each brother and sister unit had to put up a skit to support their theme, ours being pop, we did a drama sequence involving different areas of ‘POP’, so we started out with the king of pop, then popsicles, lollipops and then on of my favorite campers nicknamed ‘Barney’ was settled in a box eagerly waiting as someone outside was playing musical until he got the cue to say in a high pitched nasally voice …”Pop goes the weasel”

Also this week, since we had the oldest campers, a percentage of them were graduating from TLC. It’s a moving, sad, happy time where we celebrate the fun times they had whilst being a camper at TLC, and as Quin (Team Leader of my sister unit) and I announced their names, and ‘The Call’ was playing whilst at the same time bubbles were flying through the air, I was full of all sorts of emotions that were indescribable and couldn’t understand if you weren’t there, as I’m sure my sister team leader was to.

Week 1...Its here!

My goodness, what a week of fun and realisations. It is truly great to be back home at TLC. This week was amazing for the 'Comanche' boys of Unit 3. It was fun, full of excitement and great experiences. We were given the Middle Youngest age group which meant Children the ages of 9, 10 and 11, which meant fun times, but also a lot of work and energy levels, and i think my staff handled this week very well with the variety of care needed for the children this week as we had a few children with hearing impairments, cerebral palsy, Asthma and vision Impairments.
But there were also humorous times, like my Camper Tyler who was blind, but he was also known as the inquisitive one as he always like to ask questions ranging from the Pros and Con's of being an Aussie to the most absurd things like if he could drive a Golf cart, but with everyone who ask questions, always tells the best stories. Like about a time he saved 15 people on a small standard four wheeler from driving off a cliff. so despite his disability, he's still a kid with a great imagination which is what here at TLC we try and promote. Overall this week went really well, and I'm so proud of my staff for all their hard work and they jumped straight in and got into every aspect of camp.

Hey everyone. i apologise for not posting over the last few weeks, but over the next couple of days i will post everything that has had to do with my life in TLC

Happy reading ;)

Yes! Camp and Training week

So, on Thursday the 27th of May I returned to the great place which is called Texas Lions Camp (TLC). After getting through the lines of customs and other airport fanatics at LAX and another 2 hour flight to San Antonio, I was picked up by my Director Jamie along with two eager new comers about to realize that they are about to arrive at a place where life changing experiences will occur, which is the magic of TLC. After a 45 minute drive and grabbing a bite to eat with added on tax, we turned left and passed through the gates to TLC, just then it hit me, I returned home.

So, a bit of a background into TLC before I continue, Texas lion’s camp is situated in the county of Kerrville and is in its 61st year of operation and it provides the camp experience for children with disabilities at no cost. The main goal of TLC is to provide an atmosphere where they learn the "Can do" attitude have fun, make friends and generally have a great time at camp.

So, as soon as we drove in, and got settled I ran straight to Real (bunkhouse where the leadership and Program office staff sleep) where I got to reunite with all my old friends from last year even though I walked in on them watching High school Musical. After this we went to the staff lounge and stayed up reminiscing on last year in the staff lounge.

Throughout Training week, even though at the beginning the returnee's clung together, we met new people, made new friends and learnt new skills (even the returnees). But, I guess I should mention just before I came to camp I was emailed my staff agreement..,biggest surprise ever as I was told I got Team Leader, I was ecstatic as I was just given unexpected responsibility, and in my opinion the best job on camp. So during Training week I was given great staff compiled of Internationals (including myself), Newcomers, returnees and Ex-Campers, which I feel is a great combination.

At the end of Training week, after learning all the needed skills including sign language, leading the blind, mobility, various lifts and getting certified in first aid and CPR, we were able to have a break over the weekend before the campers arrive, So we all went down to Flat Rock, which is a dam by the river about a minute from camp. It was fun, we hung out, exchanged stories and bonded, we had interesting visits by Lizard man and in the end I was burnt which resulted in an awesome tan!

After this Long, exciting week, the next day, summer truly begins...

Ready and Waiting

G’Day guys, welcome to my Blog of Texas Lions Camp. Over this summer I will be blogging about camp and all it entails. Today is Friday the 21st and I will be flying out on Thursday the 27th. Exciting. Call this post premature, but over the summer you will realise why I am so excited! And blogging so early, as I am ready and waiting to head to TLC!