Is it a torch or a flashlight?

Perhaps the greatest adventure of my life was my first trip to the US.  I had just finished my second year of college and having spent the previous summer living back at home and working retail full time had I was in search of a different opportunity.  Luckily my college was  a big early proponent of ‘abroad’ experiences and the being a ‘camp counselor at American summer camp’ was a popular choice for sports science majors.

I have vivid memories of the planning, packing and journey.  Remember this was back in the dark ages before the internet so I had little clue what the place looked like and had honestly never heard of Maine!  My entire knowledge of American culture had been absorbed from the limited US TV shows on British television.  It was likely some combination of ‘Fame’ and ‘Starskey and Hutch’! This was also before the time of the super Walmart and I thought I needed to pack every item I could possibly need for the next 3 months in my human sized backpack it never dawned on me I could shop when I got there!

I was giddy with enthusiasm, met a random girl who was working at the same camp at the airport and headed out into the wide blue yonder.

What a trip it has been! While I have traveled to many countries and had many experiences that trip to the US was truly a life changer.

Now over 20 years later summer camp has become my career, the journey has taken many twists and turns and I have met so many amazing and interesting people along the way.  I could never have imagined that I would have ended up living and raising my children in Maine.

Having the courage to take the first step of the journey can lead you to places you never imagined. Be daring and go for it.