Hillside Experiences: Staff Past & Present

Name:
Helen

Where are you from?:
Newcastle but work in Liverpool at the mo

Year(s) you attended camp?
2006 (but not a the sunny hillside ), 2007

Have you worked at any other camps, if so why did you decide to come to hillside?
Yeas... i worked at a camp near Philly in the pocono mountains.. it was amazing and so different to hillside! i decided not to go back because i used to say u should never do the same thing twice but then hillside struck my life n what can i say.. its blooming addicitive so here i go again for another year!

What were your expectations before you arrived at camp?
my camp in 2006 was really basic and we lived in platform tents with 16 - 20 children in our unit...so the thought of hillside being a day camp and also the 'rustic' living conditions were a real bonus - not that it bothers me as i can sleep any where as you will get to find out no doubt! i try not to expect things to be like something... more jus go with the flow. but i was really excited and really nervous!!!

Did it live up to its expectations?
100% it is rustic and basic but there is everything you'd ever need! i love meeting and getting close to new people and the hillside bubble is like nothing else - we really do become a lil family so there will be no secrets (wel not if im around any way... i love a it of gossip)

Was their any item you packed but never used?
loads.. i do it every year. i think wel i might use it... i honestly this year am packing LIGHT! if i 'think' il use it its not comin.. im only bringing what i 'know' il use coz ya can buy stuff out there if ya leave something behind or borrow borrow borrow!!!

Was there anything you forgot to pack?
no not that i can remember but i did stoooooopidly over pack massively!

What was your most useful item?
if you dont wanna be a red lobster take factor 30 once a day sun tan lotion... life saver coz u put it on in the morning n walllllllaaa its done for the day! it is my must have of the summer! and also scent free after sun - the nice smelly onces attract the bugs!

What was your role at camp?
Special needs counsellor but also got to work with all different groups like a general counsellor

What did you do after camp?
In 2006 i stayed in philly for about 3 or 4 weeks coz its class n did NYC, Boston, New jersey n went to atlantic city n had to cut my travellin short coz i stoooooooopidly blew all my money! :? i thought i was quids in until i went to pay for hotel n was like uh uh! buga eh! Dont gamble kids! but it was amazin n dont regret it (now)

2007 i literally only had 3 days in NYC coz i had to come home to start work boooooooooooooooooo!

One place/thing people MUST do while in America?
attend the aderandeck (maaaan i cant spell it ) and go white water rafting.. AMAZING!!!!!

Where did you go in America
NYC, rhode island and providence, boston, niagara falls, philly, new jersey, atlantic city, conneticuit, rochester (not sure how i ended up there but i did! - some daft bus tour to niagara.. dont do it - hire a car!!!!!)

If you could relieve one moment from camp what would it be?
the first night... when you literally have known each other 1 day n we all have a lil drink n tell each other '' i love you...' its just brilliant to see how close we all get so soon! but also in terms of camp.. i love the friday dress up and also song time on a morning! 3BLIND JELLY FISH!!! woohooo

Where did you live at camp (dorm, yurt, old office), and what was it like?
i was in YURT 1... it was great - i descibed it to people from home as a circus tent with beds. we got a bunk bed each so you cud store things on the bed you dont sleep on! there were also draws underneath the bed for things too!

What did you do before camp? is that what you still do?
i was a student (those were the days :? ) i now am a year 3 teacher in liverpool - the school i did my final placement in!

Name:
Andy Davies

Where are you from?:
Wrexham, WALES BABY!

Year(s) you attended camp?
2007

Have you worked at any other camps, if so why did you decide to come to hillside?
no

What were your expectations before you arrived at camp?
Was well nervous! Arrived 10 days late so expected everyone to be bonded and for me to be the social outcast!

Did it live up to its expectations?
soooo much better than i expected! never wanted to leave!

Was their any item you packed but never used?
Deodorant! ha! not really erm....cant remember.

Was there anything you forgot to pack?
A sleeping bag, some nights were cold towards the end of the summer and start of fall.

What was your most useful item?
Flippety flops, literally priceless

What was your role at camp?
Was the "cook" for about 5 days and then went to maintenance

What did you do after camp?
Had 3 weeks on the dole and then started working for bank of america as a collections agent. wooooo!

One place/thing people MUST do while in America?
go white water rafting

Where did you go in America
New York, Boston, Niagara falls(canada really), san francisco, santa cruz, malibu, las vegas, grand canyon, yosemite national park........the akalacks!

If you could relieve one moment from camp what would it be?
burn bowling!!!!

Where did you live at camp (dorm, yurt, old office), and what was it like?
boys dorm! woo!

What did you do before camp? is that what you still do?
went to manchester uni, now i dont

Name:
Laura Alsop

Where are you from?
Chesterfield, Derbyshire, U.K The Northern part of the country

Year(s) you attended camp?
2006 and 2008 next!

Have you worked at any other camps, if so why did you decide to come to hillside?
No Hillside only...

What were your expectations before you arrived at camp?
To enjoy summer in the States and make lots of fab new friends

Did it live up to its expectations?
Oh yes!

Was their any item you packed but never used?
Torch I lost the batteries!!

Was there anything you forgot to pack?
Dont think so

What was your most useful item?
Deodrant!!! lots of it

What was your role at camp?
I was the horse Specialist, which was fun until I got limes disease and melted in the heat wave!!

What did you do after camp?
West Coast, with some wicked people and my boyfriend!! Had the best summer ever.com

One place/thing people MUST do while in America?
If you go to San Fran do the Alkatraz tour its great and Vegas has to be seen!!

If you could relive one moment from camp what would it be?
Boston weekend for Billys birthday it was great, loads of us went and its a wicked place, somewhere else I would defo recommend..

Where did you live at camp (dorm, yurt, old office), and what was it like?
In the dorm it was cosy

What did you do before camp? is that what you still do?
Before camp I worked in a GP Practice, no this is not what I do now, I've done lots, I get bored too quickly!!