Ello everyone!!
Well, I am officially into my second week as a Camp Adventure Intern. I have had such a blast so far and I cannot wait to see what else England has in store for me.
WORK:
Today, I got to travel with a group of 40 kids to the Woburn Safari Park – How sweet to say this is my job! Anyway, military agencies don’t mess around when it comes to field trips, because we hopped into a huge charter bus for a field trip 1 hour away – pretty sweet, eh? On the way there, I was reading a book called “From Good to Great”. It is a pretty popular book in the business world, but I was falling asleep as the bus bumped along the road. I tried really hard to stay awake because I didn’t want to look like I am lazy and such. So, we got to the park and there were two HUGE lion stones; I knew I was in for a treat. J We stayed in the bus as we looked at most of the animals. We saw wolves, Black Bear, Elephants, Giraffes, Lions, Tigers, Monkeys galore, Gazelle, a Long Horn Cow, Kangaroos, and Ostrich. The animals were quite awake and did some cool things for us. The Elephants put on “Sun Screen” using dirt and their massive trunk! They were Asian Elephants and it was nice to see them up close eating grass. Next we got to see a wolf find and eat a fish. It was funny to hear the kid’s questions. They are so obsessed with pregnancies. I was asked again today if I was married. Haha. I was told by on kid that you have to be 20 to marry and I can’t marry at 19 because his mom married at 20. We did not get an up close look at the tiger, but I was fascinated! The lions were pretty cool. A pride of lions is what they call a group of lions and that is how one gets “Pride Rock” in Disney’s The Lion King! Speaking of, I think they have that showing in London, as well as Wicked!!! And the Phantom of the Opera. I WANT TO SEE THEM ALL. Okay, anyway, back to my story. The black bears were kind of cool. They just wondered around. Now, the monkeys, they were sooo cute! They had baby monkeys and one would carry the baby under the mom. It was so cute how small they were. There was also an older sibling trying to pull a baby away from the mother and the mother kept slapping it. They are very protective! This was about the same time that a monkey felt the need to come and jump up on the Coach and ride the rest of the way through the park. J I wanted to take pictures of all of this, but I didn’t find out I was going until today when I got to the youth center. The giraffes were eating when we saw them. They just had a baby giraffe and apparently a lot of the other ones were pregnant. After our own little safari with guided tour, we went to a nice spot to have some lunch. Then, we headed to this huge play ground full of fun things to do! We let the kids run around there for quite a while and after, we headed to another, indoor play place. They had a bunch of fun and most all the kids were at a huge point of happiness. On the bus ride home, it was funny –after the School Age Coordinator told me I should use our hour drive back as some sleep catching up – to wake up and find the bus as quite as if there was no one even on…the kids had all fallen asleep!!!! It was one of the cutest things I had ever seen. J I, of course, took advantage of this hour and fell back asleep. Getting back to the Youth Center, I got to partake in the end of “closing”. When I walked in, one of our counselors said “say hi to Mr. Jamison”. That was fun to see all the kids in a nice circle ready to have fun.
TRAVEL:
Well, last weekend, I got to visit few different places. It feels like I have been all over England, but I haven’t. We went to a place called Bury St. Edmunds on Friday and got to see an old abbey. It was rather neat. We ate at a sweet pub called the Queen’s Head. I found out it is REALLY expensive here so I have been a little conservative with money when it comes to food. I want to save as much of my money for “object or things”. The conversion is 1.00 = 1.68 dollars. It apparently was 1 to 2 last year meaning that the amount of stuff I could buy in the states would be twice as much as I could buy here. Oh well. The Bury St. Edmunds Cathedral is a very old building that has a lot of history. The Cathedral is just a small part of what existed back in the day when the Abbey was as big as any church that would have existed in England. The signing of the Magna Carta took place at this particular Abbey which excited me a WHOLE BUNCH. I’m such a nerd. It was cool to stand around the remains, all in pillars that used to hold a huge church and to think that such an important document that changes history was done around my location. CRAZY. The Abbey garden was also very relaxing and quite pretty. I want to put a pretty garden in my backyard when I have the house I’m going to build. It was soooooooooo beautiful.
On Saturday, we got up early and travelled to Cambridge. BEAUTIFUL college town. We got to go punting on the river, very popular, and take some amazing photographs. We also go to see some VERY old colleges including the college one of the Princes’ attended and Stephen Hawkins…who is still the Honorary physics chair there. It is call Trinity College. We got to see
part of King’s college. This has a huge Cathedral that I actually got some video footage of. It was bad timing on our part because most of the colleges were close do to final examinations. They have like a whole month dedicated to them? Idon’t get it. Haha. We are going back, however, because we want to get into Trinity College – the fancy one – and go to the Library where they have some really cool historical things including Winnie the pooh first sketches and one of the first fully English translated bibles. I’m not sure what else? We went to the Museum in Cambridge. Saw some cool stuff there – just like you would see at any museum, but it was free J. We ate at a small vendor at the market. I love the market. It makes you feel like you are actually in a community. Like I said, we are going back to Cambridge so I will get to see more. It’s basically a beautiful college town that is full of life and old, cool buildings.
On our way back, we stopped in the town of ELY. There was a Cathedral here that was actually the sight of part of the film of the Other Boelyn Girl and The Golden Age. I got some really good video of this one. It just so happens we rented the movie of the Other Boelyn Girl and got to see the scenes that included the cathedral – TOTALLY COOL. These cathedrals are SOOO massive. It makes you want to kneel instantaneously and start praying because there must be some spiritual being out there!! It’s really a cool feeling.
Well, that is basically the gist of it all. We went to the village right by the base we stay at and had to go to a Chinese place because all the pubs have weird hours on Sunday nights. We just signed up to “GO APE” which is a rope training ground in the woods that takes three hours to complete. It will be a lot of fun!!! You get to swing from trees!! The weekend we might go to Norwich, but I am waiting for my Britrail that just came in. We for sure are going to BATHS….like the “Roman Baths”. I’m VERY EXCITED FOR THIS!!! Oh, England has sooo much to do!! You don’t even know!!!
P.S. - All the American style plugs on my floor have mysteriously stopped working! There was a huge storm with hail and stuff and it even collapsed one of the CDC buildings.
Talk to everyone soon! I will try and get some photos loading on here. In the meantime, enjoy the words of Jamison Arends.
-Jamison
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Recap...Click, Click, Click - and That Is Why Jamison Went to England!
Hello America!
Here is a recap of the last few days – basically my first week.
WORK:
This summer I will be working as a youth counselor on behalf of Camp Adventure Youth Services through the University of Northern Iowa partnered with the U.S. Department of Defense from June 7th – August 22nd. My camp, in particular, is held at a very well-equipped youth center at Lakenheath Royal Air Force Base in the Southeastern part of England. I will be providing services to roughly 140 children ranging ages 5-12.
First, I had an interesting first day because I woke up at 9AM. 9AM is when we were supposed to leave. For some reason, my digital clock is extremely slow and was off by two hours. I woke up to an alarm clock saying 7AM. NOT COOL!!! Good thing is I had all of my stuff out and I got to the van shortly after I was awoken. Next thing, we enter the base gate place and need our passports to get access until we receive our permanent base cards. WELL – JAMISON DECIDED TO TAKE HIS OUT POUCH AND PUT IT IN HIS BAG. Much to my luck, they also accept photo I.D.’s so I just used my driver’s license. We entered and received our permanent base entry cards. Thank Goodness!
There are two very amazing things about the place I work: one; I am working with an amazing staff!! I cannot believe how well we all get along and relate to each other. I know, I know, it is only the first few days, but I feel like everyone in our staff is truly here for the right reasons and is legit about wanting to create an amazing experience for the kids = LOTS OF STAFF ENERGY! They are also very willing to open up and share their views on things. This is one way I have really gotten to know everyone. Also, our Director has shown she is a hard worker even in times of high stress. This will be excellent when the year gets more difficult. Two; I have grown so much already. It seems like forever since I have been around so many kids, but I really find it interesting that kids are truly kids. The kids at this base are very similar to the kids I have worked with back home. They are so curious and enjoy when you pay attention to what they are working on. I have also learned I am very good and breaking ice when it comes to groups. I do not know why, but I really try and show my true self right up front. I think this helps others be themselves. It just makes things easier!!
The building we are working at is truly AMAZING. Every room is equipped for the school like it is the largest elementary in the state of Iowa. Every room has activity after activity and is overwhelming for a new staff member. The Air Force is all about the “free choice” for a child because they believe it will encourage self-motivation. The kids decide what they do and when they do it! It is interesting that the lesson plans that are created are only used if the kids take advantage of what is available.
I am really learning a ton about kids, behaviors, management, and the list goes on! Today, when we were in ratio (this just means that I was overseeing so many kids within a room. The DoD has a limit of 1 staff: 15 kids. Camp Adventure limits their ration to 1:12 so I should be able to account for no more than 12 at a time.) I began to have conversations with the kids about the projects they were working on and I released my name at one time. The kids then began to play a game with me. It was really cute. As I would begin helping a child with their tinker toy machine, I would hear “Mr. Jamison” and it would be a group of kids hiding behind a couch hoping I would walk towards them. As I did, they began running away laughing! I thought it was great that they would laugh with such a simple use of my time – walking around. It did get a little old so I decided not to take so much time to respond to the calls of “Mr. Jamison – giggle”. After the kids were done calling my name, they decided to find fun in the fan. As they spoke/sang into the fan, I watched on and was perplexed by how easy kids can be entertained! But, to be honest, I remember talking into the fan and enjoying the sound of my altered voice.
Another child and I came up with an interesting mechanism. This was built out of tinker toys and we had a good conversation. After the machine was built, he went on saying we had built it together and that he was going to name it Jamisay. How cool is that? To have a kid enjoying your company so much and be so proud of their work that they would name a tinker toy contraption after you? – yeah, pretty exciting.
Another individual decided they did not want to pick from all the choices, so they decided to follow me around. It was so funny.
Camp A has begun the hard work of Themes! This includes making posters and preparing to turn the hallway into a much different environment than the youth are used to on a daily basis. Summer Camp, for them, does not actually start until Monday. This summer camp also has a lot of field trips which will allow CAMP A counselors to partake! This is all very exciting and I cannot believe I have already received the experience I have.
I am lucky, because this week Department of Defense inspectors have shown up to do their 16th month evaluation. They are intimidating too!! They basically walk into a room and watch you. Crazy, huh?
Kids Rock!
LIVING:
Aside from coming into my dorm-like room and finding things left in it from the past resident, I have to say the only thing I do not like is the walk to receive internet. However, all of this could be a tent without anything very easily reached. I get two rooms to myself – which is sweet – and have lots of furniture that can easily be moved around. I and one other guy are located on one side of the building and the females have a hall of rooms to themselves. We are on a base that is located pretty close to the main base where we all work. It has two big “golf ball” like structures that one girl said she was told are used to monitor the weather, but they cannot go into any more detail. I think we all know, there is some pretty TOP SECRET stuff located in those towers. The main base, Lakenheath, is much more of a town with houses and actual people. The only time I really see people at this base is at the entry gate and during the day when I leave. It has its pros and cons of being empty. It is very relaxing and does have a fitness room that is well-equipped. I will probably begin working out on Monday or this weekend. We have fridges and microwaves in our rooms too!! And a kitchen without a stove, but the girl’s side does have a stove.
TRAVEL:
So far, we have just seen the bases. HOWEVER, this Friday we will be taking some kind of tour and on Saturday we are going to Cambridge. I will blog about that after we get back. On Sunday, we are GOING APE? I guess you get to go do a type of obstacle course in the woods? It sounds very exciting and will be kind of peaceful. I am having a hard time without a Britrail pass!! This pass allows you to travel on the trains for so many full days. I did not order one because I did not have much time to order one. I will be ordering one, hopefully tomorrow. At times, when I think of the train, I think of Harry Potter. Which reminds me!! Harry Potter’s premiere in England is going to be sweet and WE might get to go to it!!! HOW COOL WOULD THIS BE??? Not many American’s can say they were in England when Harry Potter’s sixth movie was shown on the big screen?? We were originally going to go to London this weekend, but we decided against it until I get a Britrail because it is too expensive without one. There has also been talk about going to Scotland for the highland games?? THIS IS ALL SOOO EXCITING!!! I’ve heard Scotland is AMAZING and very pretty. I hope I hear a bagpipe!! I’ve heard one, yes, but how cool to hear on in SCOTLAND??? This covers about two weekends of travel so I cannot even imagine what we will do for the other weekends!!!
SIGHT:
We arrived at this site rather late because we waited in the Airport for A LOT of hours. We even had a nice conversation with the Brit police. He was doing random checks for terrorists and asking for why we were there. Which reminds me about something else…It was interesting going through customs. The lady that was reviewing us and asking us questions did not know what early childhood education was. We had to say teaching. After that she read our Academic Field Experience letter and let us through. We also could not tell them we were here for an internship or we would be deported. We had to say Academic Field Experience so they understood we were here without pay because they want to make sure those who come in have a work visa and can be taxed so the government can make some money. Now, back to this section – I do not know too much about the bases yet, but as I find out more information, I will share. I do know they are building new houses so they can get everyone on base and that you have to have kids to live on base in Lakenheath and that there is a subway and pizza hut. Also, they have a commissary which is the grocery store for a military base and a Bx? Which is like a walmart for the base.
CLOSING:
I hope this gets everyone caught up with a few things! I will be getting a cell phone, hopefully tomorrow. Once again, I am throwing grammar out the window and whatever I type is getting put down. If there are any questions, just let me know and I will try to elaborate more and tell stories via blog! This is going to be an amazing growing experience and in the next 9 weeks, I will have grown and matured tremendously.
Thanks for reading!!
- Jamison
Here is a recap of the last few days – basically my first week.
WORK:
This summer I will be working as a youth counselor on behalf of Camp Adventure Youth Services through the University of Northern Iowa partnered with the U.S. Department of Defense from June 7th – August 22nd. My camp, in particular, is held at a very well-equipped youth center at Lakenheath Royal Air Force Base in the Southeastern part of England. I will be providing services to roughly 140 children ranging ages 5-12.
First, I had an interesting first day because I woke up at 9AM. 9AM is when we were supposed to leave. For some reason, my digital clock is extremely slow and was off by two hours. I woke up to an alarm clock saying 7AM. NOT COOL!!! Good thing is I had all of my stuff out and I got to the van shortly after I was awoken. Next thing, we enter the base gate place and need our passports to get access until we receive our permanent base cards. WELL – JAMISON DECIDED TO TAKE HIS OUT POUCH AND PUT IT IN HIS BAG. Much to my luck, they also accept photo I.D.’s so I just used my driver’s license. We entered and received our permanent base entry cards. Thank Goodness!
There are two very amazing things about the place I work: one; I am working with an amazing staff!! I cannot believe how well we all get along and relate to each other. I know, I know, it is only the first few days, but I feel like everyone in our staff is truly here for the right reasons and is legit about wanting to create an amazing experience for the kids = LOTS OF STAFF ENERGY! They are also very willing to open up and share their views on things. This is one way I have really gotten to know everyone. Also, our Director has shown she is a hard worker even in times of high stress. This will be excellent when the year gets more difficult. Two; I have grown so much already. It seems like forever since I have been around so many kids, but I really find it interesting that kids are truly kids. The kids at this base are very similar to the kids I have worked with back home. They are so curious and enjoy when you pay attention to what they are working on. I have also learned I am very good and breaking ice when it comes to groups. I do not know why, but I really try and show my true self right up front. I think this helps others be themselves. It just makes things easier!!
The building we are working at is truly AMAZING. Every room is equipped for the school like it is the largest elementary in the state of Iowa. Every room has activity after activity and is overwhelming for a new staff member. The Air Force is all about the “free choice” for a child because they believe it will encourage self-motivation. The kids decide what they do and when they do it! It is interesting that the lesson plans that are created are only used if the kids take advantage of what is available.
I am really learning a ton about kids, behaviors, management, and the list goes on! Today, when we were in ratio (this just means that I was overseeing so many kids within a room. The DoD has a limit of 1 staff: 15 kids. Camp Adventure limits their ration to 1:12 so I should be able to account for no more than 12 at a time.) I began to have conversations with the kids about the projects they were working on and I released my name at one time. The kids then began to play a game with me. It was really cute. As I would begin helping a child with their tinker toy machine, I would hear “Mr. Jamison” and it would be a group of kids hiding behind a couch hoping I would walk towards them. As I did, they began running away laughing! I thought it was great that they would laugh with such a simple use of my time – walking around. It did get a little old so I decided not to take so much time to respond to the calls of “Mr. Jamison – giggle”. After the kids were done calling my name, they decided to find fun in the fan. As they spoke/sang into the fan, I watched on and was perplexed by how easy kids can be entertained! But, to be honest, I remember talking into the fan and enjoying the sound of my altered voice.
Another child and I came up with an interesting mechanism. This was built out of tinker toys and we had a good conversation. After the machine was built, he went on saying we had built it together and that he was going to name it Jamisay. How cool is that? To have a kid enjoying your company so much and be so proud of their work that they would name a tinker toy contraption after you? – yeah, pretty exciting.
Another individual decided they did not want to pick from all the choices, so they decided to follow me around. It was so funny.
Camp A has begun the hard work of Themes! This includes making posters and preparing to turn the hallway into a much different environment than the youth are used to on a daily basis. Summer Camp, for them, does not actually start until Monday. This summer camp also has a lot of field trips which will allow CAMP A counselors to partake! This is all very exciting and I cannot believe I have already received the experience I have.
I am lucky, because this week Department of Defense inspectors have shown up to do their 16th month evaluation. They are intimidating too!! They basically walk into a room and watch you. Crazy, huh?
Kids Rock!
LIVING:
Aside from coming into my dorm-like room and finding things left in it from the past resident, I have to say the only thing I do not like is the walk to receive internet. However, all of this could be a tent without anything very easily reached. I get two rooms to myself – which is sweet – and have lots of furniture that can easily be moved around. I and one other guy are located on one side of the building and the females have a hall of rooms to themselves. We are on a base that is located pretty close to the main base where we all work. It has two big “golf ball” like structures that one girl said she was told are used to monitor the weather, but they cannot go into any more detail. I think we all know, there is some pretty TOP SECRET stuff located in those towers. The main base, Lakenheath, is much more of a town with houses and actual people. The only time I really see people at this base is at the entry gate and during the day when I leave. It has its pros and cons of being empty. It is very relaxing and does have a fitness room that is well-equipped. I will probably begin working out on Monday or this weekend. We have fridges and microwaves in our rooms too!! And a kitchen without a stove, but the girl’s side does have a stove.
TRAVEL:
So far, we have just seen the bases. HOWEVER, this Friday we will be taking some kind of tour and on Saturday we are going to Cambridge. I will blog about that after we get back. On Sunday, we are GOING APE? I guess you get to go do a type of obstacle course in the woods? It sounds very exciting and will be kind of peaceful. I am having a hard time without a Britrail pass!! This pass allows you to travel on the trains for so many full days. I did not order one because I did not have much time to order one. I will be ordering one, hopefully tomorrow. At times, when I think of the train, I think of Harry Potter. Which reminds me!! Harry Potter’s premiere in England is going to be sweet and WE might get to go to it!!! HOW COOL WOULD THIS BE??? Not many American’s can say they were in England when Harry Potter’s sixth movie was shown on the big screen?? We were originally going to go to London this weekend, but we decided against it until I get a Britrail because it is too expensive without one. There has also been talk about going to Scotland for the highland games?? THIS IS ALL SOOO EXCITING!!! I’ve heard Scotland is AMAZING and very pretty. I hope I hear a bagpipe!! I’ve heard one, yes, but how cool to hear on in SCOTLAND??? This covers about two weekends of travel so I cannot even imagine what we will do for the other weekends!!!
SIGHT:
We arrived at this site rather late because we waited in the Airport for A LOT of hours. We even had a nice conversation with the Brit police. He was doing random checks for terrorists and asking for why we were there. Which reminds me about something else…It was interesting going through customs. The lady that was reviewing us and asking us questions did not know what early childhood education was. We had to say teaching. After that she read our Academic Field Experience letter and let us through. We also could not tell them we were here for an internship or we would be deported. We had to say Academic Field Experience so they understood we were here without pay because they want to make sure those who come in have a work visa and can be taxed so the government can make some money. Now, back to this section – I do not know too much about the bases yet, but as I find out more information, I will share. I do know they are building new houses so they can get everyone on base and that you have to have kids to live on base in Lakenheath and that there is a subway and pizza hut. Also, they have a commissary which is the grocery store for a military base and a Bx? Which is like a walmart for the base.
CLOSING:
I hope this gets everyone caught up with a few things! I will be getting a cell phone, hopefully tomorrow. Once again, I am throwing grammar out the window and whatever I type is getting put down. If there are any questions, just let me know and I will try to elaborate more and tell stories via blog! This is going to be an amazing growing experience and in the next 9 weeks, I will have grown and matured tremendously.
Thanks for reading!!
- Jamison
Monday, June 8, 2009
I Have Arrived In The Land Of The English!!
Hello!!
Just thought I would let everyone know that I have arrived at Lakenheath's Air Force Base and am REALLY tired! I am headed to bed in an attempt to get on a schedule that allows me to function properly!
Goodnight to all of those currently experiencing 4:49PM...It's 10:49PM here! I will try and create a more informative post in the next few days
Later Gators,
- Jamison
Just thought I would let everyone know that I have arrived at Lakenheath's Air Force Base and am REALLY tired! I am headed to bed in an attempt to get on a schedule that allows me to function properly!
Goodnight to all of those currently experiencing 4:49PM...It's 10:49PM here! I will try and create a more informative post in the next few days
Later Gators,
- Jamison
Friday, June 5, 2009
The Beginning of an Adventure...
Hello Everyone!!!
This will be my first blog post roughly two days prior to my departure for England. Although I will not have too much to write in this particular blog, I wanted to let everyone know I will probably throw grammar and special creative writing out the window while creating such blogs. I might get creative at times, but I do not want to spend too much time proof reading my blogs - and you all know I would if I allowed it!
For those of you that do not know, I was actually planning on being sent out on behalf of Camp Adventure in July. At about 72 hours before my current departure, I received a phone call telling me that the contracts with the English Immersion camp fell through. Camp Adventure administrative staff said they had an opening in England at a Royal Air Force Base. I had roughly two hours to decide to leave in June instead of July - my biggest concern was logistics and wrapping everything up at home before leaving. I decided I might as well take this opportunity, I'm all about those, and have the adventure of a LIFE TIME!!
For the last two days I have been trying to get everyone, including myself, mentally and physically prepared for me leaving for approximately 3 months. This has been a huge growing opportunity and I look forward to many, many more. I feel as though I will have gained a huge set of skils and learned a lot about myself and when I return one day before classes start at Iowa State University, I will be a much different indivdual.
CHEERIO!!! - haha, that is the best I can do to try and prepare you for what I am about to experience. (Thank you Jennifer Garret for attempting to part with me in my new cultural language.)
- Jamison Arends
This will be my first blog post roughly two days prior to my departure for England. Although I will not have too much to write in this particular blog, I wanted to let everyone know I will probably throw grammar and special creative writing out the window while creating such blogs. I might get creative at times, but I do not want to spend too much time proof reading my blogs - and you all know I would if I allowed it!
For those of you that do not know, I was actually planning on being sent out on behalf of Camp Adventure in July. At about 72 hours before my current departure, I received a phone call telling me that the contracts with the English Immersion camp fell through. Camp Adventure administrative staff said they had an opening in England at a Royal Air Force Base. I had roughly two hours to decide to leave in June instead of July - my biggest concern was logistics and wrapping everything up at home before leaving. I decided I might as well take this opportunity, I'm all about those, and have the adventure of a LIFE TIME!!
For the last two days I have been trying to get everyone, including myself, mentally and physically prepared for me leaving for approximately 3 months. This has been a huge growing opportunity and I look forward to many, many more. I feel as though I will have gained a huge set of skils and learned a lot about myself and when I return one day before classes start at Iowa State University, I will be a much different indivdual.
CHEERIO!!! - haha, that is the best I can do to try and prepare you for what I am about to experience. (Thank you Jennifer Garret for attempting to part with me in my new cultural language.)
- Jamison Arends
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