My Camp Experience...

So I suppose those who are interested can learn about my schedule at dance camp. I had four different classes; ballet, tap, jazz, and modern, with pointe, swing and other various kinds of dancing on the side. We had three different classes in a day; two in the morning and one in the afternoon, with a special group dance in the evening. I was in class 1, the highest of three levels. All of my classes were pretty challenging, but I would say ballet was the hardest. Our guest teacher was a little faster than I was used to, and while I knew most of the steps already I had never put the harder ones together so quickly. Jazz and modern were fun and great for strengthening. Since I have only taken ballet the combinations were kind of hard for me to pick up, but I am noticing already how much normal it feels to dance modern steps when I’m just playing around. I would say I had the most fun with tap. I have never taken tap before either and couldn’t get half the steps, but our teacher (from Canada; very fun character) was fabulous and I really enjoyed just learning as much as I could and playing around. Tap seemed the most loose and allowed me to relax more. Swing dancing to oldies in the evenings was also really fun; I love the 40’s! (Or maybe it was the 50’s…. in any case, I enjoyed the experience.)

For the first couple of days I really struggled with combinations and new steps, and kept myself awake at night worrying because I couldn’t get it. At first I really did not enjoy myself at all; with all the new challenges and just being away from home and anything familiar, but towards the end I started to relax a little more. I got to call home once; it really does make you a lot more homesick!

As a junior counselor over girls around my age I hardly had to do anything; just tell them to quiet down at night. I often found myself rather disgusted by their behavior (especially when they were hanging around the only two boys at camp) and without knowing it really got homesick for my own talks with Em. Yes Emi; I really missed you!

So as you can imagine, I was quite relieved and happy to get home. I am so glad for the overall camp experience; I think every kid should go to camp at least once in their lifetime. I found myself struggling with the question of whether or not it’s okay to not like camp; but have come to the conclusion I can be outgoing in other ways without feeling the pressure of fitting in at camp. So thank you mom and dad for giving me the birthday gift of a great camp experience; I am sure I grew a lot in many ways over the week. But maybe next year… I’ll just stay home, dance rigorously at my own studio and enjoy the company of my family.

So you asked for a camp report and you got it! Enjoy the rest of your summer guys. It’s great to be home!

Jennifer