CRS ‘23 Session 2 Week 3
By Carolina (US - New York), Shinae (US - New York), and Risa (Japan)
Nature Trip: Expectations vs Reality (Group 2)
Part 1 - Expectations
Let’s see what peoples’ first thoughts are about the nature trip without knowing anything but rumors about it. What are they excited about? What are they scared of? What do they think is going to happen as they let their imagination run free…
Who are you and where are you going?
Esther (US - Maryland): I’m Esther *swats fly* and I’m going on the nature trip at Red Hook.
Marwah (Denmark): I’m Marwah and I’m going to Clinton.
Are you excited? Why or why not?
Esther: Maybe. It feels like I’m gonna be really uncomfortable, but I do feel like I might have some fun there. I will have some fun there.
Marwah: I’m actually kinda excited because I’m going with my friends. But I’m really afraid of ticks.
Which factors have the most impact on how enjoyable the trip will be?
Esther: The people.
In what way?
Esther: Because I don’t know the people I’m going with very very well, so I’ll make more connections with them and I think that will help me in Camp and in general.
Marwah: The mood of my group. If they’re really happy, I’ll be positively affected, but if they are sad and moody, it’ll affect me negatively.
How has hearing about the first nature trip experience influenced your expectations?
Esther: I was terrified but I still heard a lot of good things such as talking with more people in a smaller group and that it’s a once in a lifetime experience.
Marwah: From what I’ve heard it’s really fun but very exhausting when you come back.
Do you think your feelings (whether good or bad) will change?
Esther: I think it will change – either positively or negatively.
Marwah: Maybe – depends on my experiences.
If you could choose to go on the trip, would you go?
Esther: I would.
Marwah: Yeah!
Why?
Esther: Because I don’t think I’ll get to experience something like this again. And even though I’m out of my comfort zone I feel like I’ll regret it if I don’t go.
Marwah: I think it would be a good experience and I’ve never tried hiking before so it’s something new and fun.
PART 2 - Reality
After the nature trip, let’s see what really happened and what campers experiences were… did we get ice cream? Did we love it? Did we get ticks? Lets see what campers have to say about this.
Describe your impression of the nature trip now that you’ve gone in three words.
Esther: Chaotic, memorable, and short.
Marwah: New, exhausting, and adventurous.
What was the most memorable part of your trip?
Esther: The day hike – when we went to the waterfall and we all took a shower there. And when we ate food on the cliff, I felt really free. It felt like I haven’t felt so peaceful in a long time. And when I got to know all the people that I usually don’t really talk to, it was nice.
Marwah: The waterfall. All of us went under. Honestly, at first I was kind of nervous because I didn’t want my clothes to get wet. But then I put one arm in and I just went for it.
What was your least favorite part?
Esther: The rain. Because it was our first day there and things were quite chaotic, but I think that made it more fun.
Marwah: Probably waking up on the third day and getting to pack early in the morning.
Which factors actually influenced the trip the most? Were you correct in your assumptions?
Esther: I think I still agree with my first answer – the people. We got to connect a lot and getting to know more people and interacting/bonding was a big impact on the trip.
Marwah: It was the people. Because everyone was happy and excited, it was fun. But when people weren’t in the mood or angry or frustrated, it just felt like the Kardashians.
Do you think your expectations matched the trip’s reality?
Esther: I was wrong – but I kind of expected it. I really thought I wasn’t gonna enjoy it because it was going to rain. But I had a good time and I was happy being there. I think I knew I was gonna enjoy it.
Marwah: I was right about being exhausted! But I made some great memories and had great experiences. I literally stood under a waterfall – it’s the first time I’ve seen one. It felt like a fever dream.
Daily Schedules: Normal Life Back Home
Here, we can see a glimpse of a day in the life of people from different parts of the world. Our gracious interviewees are: Levke (Germany), Jenna (Netherlands) and Katelyn (US - New York).
Levke from Germany 🇩🇪
6:30 am wake up / get ready for school
7:10 am eat breakfast
7:25 am leave the house
🚲 20 minutes
7:45 am arrive at school
7:50 am 1st class
9:20 am 20 minutes break
9:40 am 2nd class
11:10 am 2nd 20 minutes break
11:30 am 3rd class
1:00-2:00 pm class ends
NO LUNCH during school!
2:30 pm eat lunch
For lunch, Levke has rice and vegetables, or fish and potatoes ✨
3:00 pm teach gymnastics to little girls
5:00 pm train gymnastics for herself
8:45 pm get back home and eat dinner which is… bread and cheese! 🥪
Also take a shower, do homework, and watch YouTube
12:00 am go to sleep
Jenna from Netherlands 🇳🇱
6:00 am wake up
6:40 am eat breakfast
7:00 am leave the house
🚲 cycle for an hour
8:20 am 3 classes
10:50 am 20 minutes break (eat and talk with her friends)
11:10 am take 2 classes
12:50 pm 30 minutes lunch break which she usually… leaves school and goes to a supermarket with her friends! 🏪
1:20 pm 3 classes
🚲 cycle home for an hour
6:00 pm goes to work at a supermarket 🛒
8:30 pm field hockey training
10:15 pm get home and take a shower, eat dinner (soup with baguettes 🥖), do homework
1:00-2:00 am go to sleep
Outrageous Schedule from Katelyn
3:00 am wake up / get dressed in bathing suits
4:00 am drive to the beach
5:00 am watch sunrise ✨
6:00 am take counselors phones and throw a coup
8:00 am go to town with their phones and spend their 💲eating breakfast
10:00 am go back to the beach 🏖️
REST HOURS (plural) until 1 pm
1:00 pm order food with stolen phones
2:00 pm rent a bus and drive to NYC 🎉
5:00 pm arrive at NYC
7:00 pm rooftop dinner
9:30 pm tent check in a penthouse at the Ritz Carlton
Advice Column
The advice column is for campers (2nd or 1st years) to give advice for future campers. These pieces of advice can give future campers a sense of security and relief about coming to Camp.
Introductions
Sora: Hello, my name is Sora. I’m from California and I’m a 2nd year at Camp Rising Sun.
Alissa: Hi, my name is Alissa. I’m from Japan. I’m a 2nd year here at Camp Rising Sun, but last year I was at the virtual camp. This is my first year coming to the in-person camp.
Janyl: Hello my name is Janyl. I’m from Kyrgyzstan, but I live in Egypt. This is my first year at Camp Rising Sun.
What do you wish to tell your past self about Camp that could help future campers?
Sora: To really enjoy yourself - most people aren’t going to come back, so it’s a one time experience. For me, it’s like a dream coming here … stay in the present and enjoy this moment.
Alissa: If you have an alumni association in your country, I would really recommend talking to other alumni about what it was like and what to bring. Just bring yourself here and everything will happen.
Janyl: Don’t be scared to try new things, just go for it and go be yourself. Do what you want to do and follow your heart.
What are the do’s and don'ts that could help future campers?
Sora:
Do’s– I know it’s scary, but try to put yourself out there, go do instructions, go make evening programs. Do all of the things!
Don’ts– don’t be afraid, don’t be timid.
Alissa:
Do’s– Be open, try to make new friends. Enjoy yourself, try to speak with new people/to every camper.
Don’ts– Don’t try to be someone else, because we only have 4 weeks, and now it’s already the 3rd week. It’s so short, and time flies so fast.
Janyl:
Do’s– Be open-minded and respect everyone. Personally, the first week of camp felt stressful and I was really homesick, but now I feel so much better. So just stay positive.
Don’ts– Don’t leave out trash when you’re done with it!
Positive advice or negative advice to future campers?
Sora: If it stresses you out, find a good spot to just relax. Sometimes, you just need some time to be alone. You can be yourself here and you don’t need to hide or test out parts of your identity.
Alissa: Bring a sleeping bag. I brought a sleeping bag and I use it everyday. If you don’t, you have to use the blanket or the sleeping bag from camp. It’s much more comfy if you bring your own. I think everyone should apply, it’s fun. You should know about your country when you come. I really recommend people to come especially if they like being in nature.
Janyl: In this camp, there’s a lot of people here, and you can’t be friends with everyone. But try to be nice with everyone and respect everyone.
Culture Corner
Who are you and where are you from?
Lod: My name is Lod, and I am a Camp counselor here at CRS. I am from Belgium 🇧🇪. I’m studying in Brussels but I live in Diest, which is in the Dutch speaking part of Belgium in Flanders.
Maryam: I am Maryam, I’m a camper from Palestine 🇵🇸.
Dani: I am Dani. I am a counselor, and I’m from Ecuador 🇪🇨.
Vidita: I am Vidita from India. I am 16 and will turn 17 in September.
What do you love about your country?
Lod: Fries, our national dish. Also the variety of different cultures in such a small country because there are different regions which speak many languages – like French, Dutch, etc.
Maryam: I love the people and beaches. I like the weather, the four seasons, and the olive trees. They’re all over the place.
Dani: I love that in such a small country, we have the Amazon, mountains, coast, and islands. It is so diverse and you can visit all places within a few hours of driving.
Vidita: India is an amazing country – according to me at least. It is very diverse, there are many people with different histories and cultures.
What is your favorite food?
Lod: Fries. There is something called frituur, which is similar to pizzerias in Italy. There are 80 different authentic meats which you can choose from. I love it..
Maryam: Grape leaves. We put rice inside and cook it. It’s delicious.
Dani: My favorite food is a drink called colada morada. It is a drink with a lot of berries and “morada” means purple in Spanish. Also, I like guaguas de pan which is a bread shaped like a baby and has caramel or chocolate in it.
Vidita: Pani puri. It has fried potato with a hole in the middle. It is quick to eat, yummy, and you can find it everywhere in India.
What’s your favorite tradition/holiday?
Maryam: I like Eid al Fitr, because I get money. It’s a different currency but I get more than 300 dollars. And we can finally eat after Ramadan.
Dani: My favorite holiday is Holi Week. I get a day off for it.
Vidita: My favorite holiday is Ganesh Chathurthi / Diwali, which celebrates the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya. We light diyas (lamps). I love it because it is a time for family to be together and it’s a lot of fun.
What is something that America does/doesn’t do that is shocking?
Lod: We do something called a terras in Belgium. We just sit outside of a shop or restaurant, get drinks and watch the people walk by. Like as soon as the sun comes out my friends ask me ‘Do you want to do a terras?’
Maryam: The toilets are terrifying. Why do they flush like that? The whole building will hear it flush. And the water levels – I’m afraid I’ll sink with the water. I’m surprised no one uses a bidet.
Dani: I am surprised that the supermarkets are so large and you have many options. The public transportation here is also really convenient. And another thing I am surprised about is that American people don’t really have much physical contact as we do in Ecuador. In Ecuador, we kiss on our cheeks when we meet somebody.
Vidita: They don’t put salt in their food. :(