Still at Camp!

Hi Everyone!

It's been a while since my last post, but I have been extremely busy at the summer youth camp! I have been here for a month now and will be leaving in two days. In the past month, I have worked two camp sessions. The sessions take a lot out of us volunteers because we work very long, busy days.

Here is a normal day at camp for the volunteers: wake up for breakfast (bread and butter with coffee) at 8am, prepare for morning announcements at 8:45, English classes from 9-10:30, go to beach from 11-12:30. Lunch (tajine with bread) at 1:30. Free time (hanging out with kids, reading with them, making friendship bracelets, playing music, sports) 2-3:30. 3:30-5 American Club time (I taught arts and crafts both sessions), 5:00 snack (mint tea and crackers or piece of bread), 5:45-7 Moroccan activities (usually sports), 8:00 Dinner (the worst meal, consisting of soup (sometimes made out of flour and water) and usually weiners in tomato sauce. Or pasta. And usually served with a mini-cup of yogurt). 9-11 Evening activity (Moroccan or American led) 11:00 BEDTIME!

Last night was probably the best evening activity I've seen at either of the camps. We put together an American Halloween Night. Everyone wore costumes, we made a haunted house, and had activities like bob for apples, face painting, and trick-or-treating. The kids had a blast! I worked in the haunted house and scared kids. I hid behind a sheet that looked like a wall and grabbed people and screamed at them. The best part of the night was when the grounds keeper, an old man who lives at the camp and sees to its upkeep, was prowling around the exit to the haunted house and when he poked his head in to look around I grabbed him through the sheet and screamed at him. He stumbled backward with his mouth open, and quickly walked away. Then later on, the Moroccan camp coordinator walked through the exit and I scared him as well. This didn't go over as well. He glared at me and then another Moroccan counselor said, "Hshuma 3lik" which means shame on you. C'mon, it's Halloween!

Today and tomorrow are the last days of camp. We will have a final spectacular tomorrow night and then Thursday morning the kids will all leave. I will be leaving as well. My friend Chase and I plan on doing some traveling together on our way back home. We haven't decided where to go yet, but it will definitely be a beach town.

When I get back to my site, I'll be busy unpacking, cleaning, and getting ready for Megan! My sister Megan will be visiting me for two weeks in August! Yippie! If any of you back home would like to send something along with her to give to me, now is your chance! I posted a wish list a few months ago and recently I gave my parents an updated list.

Please check out my online photos! I have posted some from camp! Sorry I have not been very good about my blog posts or sending emails. Once I get back to my site, after Megan's trip is over, I plan on being much better about sending real snail mail. This first year has been so busy, and I really wish I had sent out more real mail. This second year I will do better!

Keep me updated on everything on the homefront! Happy Birthday, Owen! Hope everyone is having a great summer! See you soon, Megan!