By: Camper Raquel and her mom Paula, interviewed by Development Director Steve Greenwood

Raquel enjoyed a wonderful first experience at Camp George last summer and is counting down the days until opening day of summer 2018. As a grade 4 student at Leo Baeck South, she had heard about Camp from her older cousin Alexandra a former staff member at George. Raquel was nervous about leaving home. Watching the Camp George video helped her to see how much fun it would be to live in a cabin with other campers and counselors. She was most excited for the chance to try new activities especially waterskiing.

Waterskiing ‘lived up to her expectations’ and became Raquel’s favorite activity. She also loved the chance to participate in CG Games where she got to pick different activities as her contribution to her team. She especially liked the one with the water ball in Vaseline. Raquel also enjoyed her first opportunity to try the ropes course – particularly the catwalk. It was especially nice to see one of her cabin staff who was a ropes specialist.

Another fun activity was camp craft where Raquel and her cabin enjoyed some delicious roasted marshmallows and hot dogs. What a lot of fun to have the chance to make their own food! When it comes to food, Raquel refers to herself as ‘a bit of a picky eater’. This was something that she was a bit nervous about going to overnight camp for the first time. She hoped that she would find enough food she liked…and she did!

Raquel not only came home with many wonderful memories, she also brought a very special cabin tradition. There were many nights when her counselors would play the Christopher Robin song “Pooh Corner”, for Raquel and her cabin mates as they fell asleep. This song has now become her favorite to fall asleep to at home.

Raquel’s Mom also went away to camp as a child, and she was always so excited each night to check-out the pictures of the amazing experiences that Raquel was enjoying just she had when she went to camp (minus the online pics!).

Raquel is now referring to her ‘second home’ and her ‘new family’. She is so excited to get back to George this summer!