We’re back with another blog for our “20 questions” series. Read on below for our interview with Camper Care Assistant Rebekah Houpt.

Question #1: What are your goals for summer 2018?

Rebekah: “To help campers and staff have a happy and healthy time! Hopefully I will stay happy and healthy myself :)”

Question #2: What’s your life motto, or philosophy you live by?

Rebekah: “Fake it ‘till you make it! I strongly believe that at least 80% of any task is showing up with positivity and confidence – you’ll learn the rest!”

Question #3: What did you want to be when you were a kid?

Rebekah: “When I was in Grade 5 and I found out what the Governor General was I thought that would be the coolest job ever – it was like being the Canadian Queen!!”

Question #4: What was/is your biggest accomplishment?

Rebekah: “Growing up I never liked eating sushi, but I knew it was a food that other people were extremely passionate about. I decided to train myself into liking sushi. I did this by forcing myself to eat 3 pieces every time my family ordered it for a birthday or celebration. At first it was absolutely horrific, and I can remember gagging on that third piece every time. However, overtime it got easier, and miracle of all miracles I actually really like it now!! So that was a huge accomplishment, and it also taught me the power of self-control and determination in a really tangible way.”

Question #5: Have you ever had a nickname? What is it?

Rebekah: “I was born in Thunder Bay and my parents like to tell me I was partially named for Kakabeka falls. I still get called ‘Kekahbekah’ because of that!”

Question #6: If you could eat your favorite food now, what would it be?

Rebekah: “Mac and Cheese!! I am extremely passionate about Mac and Cheese, and not from a box – good homemade Mac and Cheese with real cheese sauce. This was a childhood classic in my house. I love making it, eating it, ordering it, you name it.”

Question #7: Do you have any siblings? What are they like?

Rebekah: “I have so many siblings! All kinds of brothers – whole, half, step, adopted, you name it. They range from age 9 to 27 and they are all very different. We’ve got scientists, a lawyer, a writer, musicians… and Aaron is getting really good at floor hockey. One of my favourite things is when we get together and play music – some of them are extremely musically talented, and it’s a real treat to see them having fun together.”

Question #8: What outdoor activities do you like to do?

Rebekah: “I love hiking and climbing trees. I like hiking because of all the beautiful things you can see along you way, and it’s often quiet and nice to be with your thoughts or engaged in nice conversation. Climbing trees is fun because it really tests the limits of your strength. I like exercise that you only really need your body and things naturally around you to do.”

Question #9: What is something you love doing? Why?

Rebekah: “I love watching and performing in musical theatre. I like the idea that when a moment on stage is so emotionally heightened, the only thing to do is sing and dance it out. Similarly, singing and dancing helps me to regulate my emotions as well!”

Question #10: What is a hidden talent you have?

Rebekah: “I have really strong and malleable toes! There was a time when I could lift a 5lbs weight over my head with just my toes!”

Question #11: What was one new experience you tried that was completely unknown or​uncomfortable to you at the time you tried it?

Rebekah: “Well we’ve already talked about the sushi… but one time I went flying trapezing with some friends. It was a bit scary climbing all the way up, and I didn’t know if my hands were going to be able to hold on as I jumped from the platform, but I did it!”

Question #12: What was your favorite book growing up?

Rebekah: “It’s a novel called “Ballet Shoes” by Noel Streatfeild. It follows the story of three little adopted sisters in England who are placed in a performing arts school. One is a talented actress, one loves to dance, and the third wants nothing to do with any of it! It’s absolutely charming, and I’ve probably read it dozens of times.”

Question #13: What makes a good camp friend?

Rebekah: “I think that camp friends are so much like siblings. Your siblings see you at your very best, your absolute worst, and everything in between. So do your camp friends! A good camp friend is someone who will love you no matter what, and will support you in those good times as well as the bad.”

Question #14: What is your favourite camp tradition?

Rebekah: “I’m a big big fan of Taylor Swift dance parties in the chadar ohel (dining hall)!”

Question #15: What is your proudest camp moment?

Rebekah: “In my second summer as a drama specialist at Camp George a group of AMAZING Barak campers approached my co-staff Shari and I with a pitch for the second-session musical. They had written the entire script, complete with songs, for Mean Girls the musical!! With the broadway version of Mean Girls opening right now, I can’t help but think back at the incredible job those campers did on that show.

As a side note, some of those same campers are now incredible staff at Camp George!” 

Question #16: What hobby would you get into if time and money weren’t an issue?

Rebekah: “I think I’d really like to get into aerial silks. It seems like the perfect combination of strength and flexibility, and I think I would really enjoy it!”

Question #17: What’s the best advice you have ever received?

Rebekah: “My step-dad told me that I should work at Camp George and that I would love it… here we are 7 summers later!”

Question #18: Who is that one person you can talk to about anything?

Rebekah: My roommates! They are incredible women, and I don’t know where I would be without them – aren’t friends amazing??

Question #19: What are some small things that make your day better?

Rebekah: “A good cup of tea made exactly the way I like it, frying an egg without breaking the yolk, a subway that arrives as soon as I step onto the platform, and 8 hours of sleep!”

Question #20: What have you created that you are most proud of?

Rebekah: “Early on in my time at CG, my Nitz campers and I wrote a song about love and friendship, and it is still one of my favourite things to listen to.”