I'm internet famous.... NOT

I was just reminded of this today, but last year two pictures I am in were featured on lists about being a camp counselor.  The first one was on the front page of msn.com for that day.  Here is a link to that one: http://michaelagianotti.com/2013/09/23/27-things-only-a-camp-counselor-will-understand/  I'm in pictures for #12 and #21.

The second website a friend noticed my picture on and sent it over to me... that one is: http://www.buzzfeed.com/summercamp/10-reasons-why-you-wish-you-could-go-back-to-summer-camp  I'm in #10.

These pictures were taken while I was at Camp Humphries and Army base in South Korea, 2010.  We (the other Camp A staff) don't really know how these pictures ended up available to use but we're pretty sure they were pictures off the youth center's camera.  It was surprising when these popped up and fun to see what people had to say.  I will say most things are true on those lists!


*****Also just a reminder that I'm trying to raise money to help pay for my health insurance while I'm gone, a new laptop to keep in touch with everyone, and any extra raised would go to help with moral boosters for my staff.  You can ask me anything if you have questions! The link to my fundraising website is: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/kasey-s-going-to-zama-japan

What is Camp Adventure?

Camp Adventure is a program through the University of Northern Iowa that contracts with the the US military and sends college students (and graduates) to military bases all over the world.  While on the base we run summer programs for the children of the military.  This year I'll be working in-ratio at a day camp and also overseeing a teen/middle school program.   This will be my 7th summer going out and first time in Japan. These are the places I've been (I think this is right but it starts to get a little mixed up):

Summer 2008 Mildenhall, England- US Air Force- intern at the Child Development Center in working with children 6 weeks to 5 years
Winter 2008 Vilseck, Germay- Army- intern CDC
Summer 2009 Rhinedahlen, Germany- UK military- day camp counselor ages 5-12
Winter 2009 Pearl Harbor/Hickam USA- Navy- counselor
Summer 2010 Humphries, South Korea- Army- day camp director
Spring 2011 Vicenza, Italy- Army- assistant project coordinator CDC
Spring 2011 Key West, USA- Navy- Project coordinator CDC/day camp
Summer 2011 Hanscom (Boston) USA- Air Force- day camp/middle school director 10-17
Fall 2011 Pearl Harbor/Hickam- Air Force- project coordinator CDC
Spring 2012 Ramstein, Germay- Air Force- project coordinator CDC
Summer 2012 Pearl Harbor/Hickam- Navy- project coordinator day camp/CDC
Fall 2012 Rota, Spain- Air Force- project coordinator CDC/day camp/teens
Spring 2013 Pearl Harbor/Hickam- Navy/Air Force- project coordinator CDC/day camp
Summer 2013 Bahrain -Navy- project coordinator CDC/day camp/sports camp
Summer 2014 Zama, Japan!

While Camp does pay for our flights and housing while we are there we do have to pay some fees.  I am raising money to pay for health insurance (mine does not cover me oversees), a new computer (mine is broken), and any extra will go to buying moral boosters for my staff.  If you are interesting in donating I set up a fundraising website at https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/kasey-s-going-to-zama-japan -if you are unable to donate I'd really appreciate it if you could share on facebook and twitter!

Let me know if you have any questions!!

Project Coordinator Training

This weekend I "attended" PC training via Zoom a video conference website.  Usually Camp Adventure has all PC's and PD's (project director) fly to the University of Northern Iowa for the training.  It would have been nice to see some friends that would have been there but I am happy I didn't have to miss work.  I found out some information about my site and will get more info this week.  The one piece of information I got that I was not expecting was I will be an in-ratio PC without a director at the day camp.  So in-ratio means I'll be working at the center with the children alongside the counselors.  I haven't been in-ratio at a day camp for a few years so this should be interesting and lots of fun.  Having no director at the day camp just means I'll have more work to do.  Usually the director is in charge of programming (PC just checks over to make sure it's up to standard and help with it if needed), filling out paperwork, in charge at day camp, and check-ins.  The main thing I'm worried about is the fact that I have not done spring training in a few years so I don't know the new songs and just not refreshed on everything.  I'll have 4 day camp counselors with one of those having participated in Camp before so he'll have an idea of what to expect and can help the others.  There will also be a teen/middle school camp with 2 Camp staff, 1 is the director of the teen program and the other is new but I've met her during a Davis training and I'm sure will be great.  I am so excited to be going but now it feels like it's real and it's coming soon!

I'm going to Zama, Japan!

I've found out I'll be going to Zama, Japan this summer.  I am so excited to work with Camp Adventure Child and Youth Services as the project coordinator.  This is my 7th summer going out and first time in Japan.  I am hoping to keep this blog updated throughout the summer with everything that is going on.  If you'd like to help me out I've made a fundrasing website to help pay for my health insurance this summer and hopefully some money towards a new laptop as well. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/kasey-s-going-to-zama-japan