Vermont 2009, session 3--Sept 19-26

[Silvia]

I'm wondering who's going to this session--Emily is getting registered today to go and is really excited! I think we're going to all drive up there, and then Eddie, Thomas and I will do some fun stuff in the area while she's at camp.

[Christine Yablonski]

Kimi Biegler is registered for this week. We live in MA, about 30 miles northwest of Boston. It will be her first time attending.

[Idzie]

I am! :-) This is my second year going, and last year I really didn't get as much out of the experience as I feel I could, since I felt overwhelmed by the whole thing! This year, however, I'm looking forward to being far more social, and getting to know lots of cool people! :-)

[Silvia]

What did you feel was overwhelming? I'd like to try to prepare my daughter for camp as much as possible. She does like to give out free hugs! This is her page, though she doesn't really visit it often.

Idzie said:

I am! :-) This is my second year going, and last year I really didn't get as much out of the experience as I feel I could, since I felt overwhelmed by the whole thing! This year, however, I'm looking forward to being far more social, and getting to know lots of cool people! :-)

[Idzie]

Well, when you arrive there you're met with over 100 people, all racing around, yelling happy greetings to old friends, hugging campers both new and old, chattering at top volume, and generally being exuberant and happy. For my rather introverted self, who has trouble dealing with groups over 15 people, this was hard! In the day time things tend to be pretty chill, but again in the evenings when everyone is inside it's a pretty high energy environment. For may people, large high energy groups are enjoyable, I'm just a person who finds groups like that draining, so I had a harder time! However, this year I know what to expect, and my sister, who's also my best friend, as well as another good friend are going to be there this year, so I know that will help me center myself, and have a better time in general. :-) Oh, I actually wrote a whole blog post on my experiences at NBTSC last year... If you're interested in checking that out, it can be found here: http://yes-i-can-write.blogspot.com/2008/09/not-back-to-school-camp.html

Peace,
Idzie

Silvia said:

What did you feel was overwhelming? I'd like to try to prepare my daughter for camp as much as possible. She does like to give out free hugs! This is her page, though she doesn't really visit it often.

Idzie said:

I am! :-) This is my second year going, and last year I really didn't get as much out of the experience as I feel I could, since I felt overwhelmed by the whole thing! This year, however, I'm looking forward to being far more social, and getting to know lots of cool people! :-)

[Silvia]

Thanks, that's very helpful. I am an introvert and being around a bunch of people for hours really drains me, so I understand what you mean. I'm not sure Emily is that kind of introvert, but she does seem to be overwhelmed at first in new groups or places. And I've noticed that all it takes is one person to "bring her out" of her hesitation to jump into things. It could be an adult or another kid, just somebody talking to her, getting her laughing and goofy or talking about one of her favorite subjects. I will try to see if I can locate the friends she knows are attending right away, though I don't know how long parents hang around for. Probably not long. :) At least I can mention it to the kids she knows or the counselors. How old is your sister?

Idzie said:

Well, when you arrive there you're met with over 100 people, all racing around, yelling happy greetings to old friends, hugging campers both new and old, chattering at top volume, and generally being exuberant and happy. For my rather introverted self, who has trouble dealing with groups over 15 people, this was hard! In the day time things tend to be pretty chill, but again in the evenings when everyone is inside it's a pretty high energy environment. For may people, large high energy groups are enjoyable, I'm just a person who finds groups like that draining, so I had a harder time! However, this year I know what to expect, and my sister, who's also my best friend, as well as another good friend are going to be there this year, so I know that will help me center myself, and have a better time in general. :-) Oh, I actually wrote a whole blog post on my experiences at NBTSC last year... If you're interested in checking that out, it can be found here: http://yes-i-can-write.blogspot.com/2008/09/not-back-to-school-camp.html
Peace, Idzie

[Idzie]

Parents hang around for up to an hour, from what I saw last year... And my sister, also named Emilie, will be 16 by the time NBTSC starts. :-)

Silvia said:

Thanks, that's very helpful. I am an introvert and being around a bunch of people for hours really drains me, so I understand what you mean. I'm not sure Emily is that kind of introvert, but she does seem to be overwhelmed at first in new groups or places. And I've noticed that all it takes is one person to "bring her out" of her hesitation to jump into things. It could be an adult or another kid, just somebody talking to her, getting her laughing and goofy or talking about one of her favorite subjects. I will try to see if I can locate the friends she knows are attending right away, though I don't know how long parents hang around for. Probably not long. :) At least I can mention it to the kids she knows or the counselors. How old is your sister?

Idzie said:

Well, when you arrive there you're met with over 100 people, all racing around, yelling happy greetings to old friends, hugging campers both new and old, chattering at top volume, and generally being exuberant and happy. For my rather introverted self, who has trouble dealing with groups over 15 people, this was hard! In the day time things tend to be pretty chill, but again in the evenings when everyone is inside it's a pretty high energy environment. For may people, large high energy groups are enjoyable, I'm just a person who finds groups like that draining, so I had a harder time! However, this year I know what to expect, and my sister, who's also my best friend, as well as another good friend are going to be there this year, so I know that will help me center myself, and have a better time in general. :-) Oh, I actually wrote a whole blog post on my experiences at NBTSC last year... If you're interested in checking that out, it can be found here: http://yes-i-can-write.blogspot.com/2008/09/not-back-to-school-camp.html
Peace, Idzie