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Comments - Memories - etc. :
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I would
just like to comment on some of the things that have been said here. I will
admit that I have only been to EIC for the past 2 years, and not as a
counselor. As many of you know, I was the second cook my first year, and
the Head Cook this past year, as well as working on property staff for
family camp.
First of all, if you are coming to EIC for the money, you are here for the
wrong reason. EIC is about the kids, and the experience of being on an
island in one of the most beautiful regions of this country. It's about
making friends with amazing people from all over the world, and maybe
learning some valuable skills along the way. I took advantage of the
opportunity to learn to sail, as well as get my red cross certification in
small craft sailing and basic sailing.
As far as the 'camp names' go, it wasn't like we were hiding our names from
the campers, it was like a game, and at the end of
the session we actually played a game to find out everyone's real names. I
personally thought it was fun, even though everyone already knew my real
name, seeing as I was staff the previous year. We had a lot of fun with it,
and even called each other by our camp names on days off. I didn't find
that any of the girls were offended by this idea.
And you may say that as a cook I didn't have time to interact with the
kids, but that is far from the truth. I spent a lot of my free time
interacting with the kids, going sailing, doing
arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, or activities in the lodge. I will hazard
to say that most of the kids liked me, and I have the fan letters to prove
it!
I think that the majority of the staff truly cares about the girls, and
wants them to have a good time. There are always a few bad seeds,
regardless of where you are, but there weren't many at EIC. It is
unfortunate that a lot of staff doesn't return, but we have a lot of
international staff, and also, to be quite honest, some of us are in school
or trying to start our careers, and it might not be viable to make a
life-long career out of EIC(as much as I would like to!).
The tradition thing is not really my subject, since I am new to EIC, but it
seems to me from stories I have heard about traditions that have been
changed is that there was always good reason. It isn't safe on any level to
let a 7 year old (or a 14 year old for that matter!) climb a ladder to kiss
a moose that has been there for 100 years! C'mon now! And some of the
sailing traditions that were done away with were downright hazing, plain
and simple.
I hope that this letter will help to calm some of the concerns of parents,
previous staff, and past, present, and future campers.
'You are the moment that I seek, you are my strength when I am weak
You are my one true home'--Star's Song
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