Camp Green Lane Blog Post
Happy Anyday!
After an AMAZING Carnival yesterday, we finally returned to our regularly scheduled camp programming. It’s been a warm few days, thankfully with no rain, but with plenty of opportunities to cool off in the pool and the lake.
At last night’s Carnival Dance, we crowned this year’s Carnival King and Queen. Congratulations to 2023 winners Benjamin Miller and Haley Baruch! These two deserving campers were elected by the Senior Boys and Senior Girls divisions, and they exemplify what it means to be an amazing CGL camper.
Today, I took the time to interview one of our awesome counselors, a fellow second-year who returned after having such an incredible experience at CGL last summer. Oscar Tibble, our Quads specialist and a counselor for Alpha, is from England, one of our many counselors that we’ve hired through Camp America. For those who may be unfamiliar with the program, Camp America pairs international young adults with American summer camps, providing them an opportunity to experience a true American summer as a camp counselor.
Like I mentioned, Oscar loved it so much in the summer of ‘22 that he proudly returned for the summer of ‘23. I took a few moments to chat with Oscar earlier today, and here is what he shared.
What made you want to come back this year?
It’s just a bubble. You don’t have to worry about anything here. You just tell your friends and family, “I’m going. I’ll see you in 7 weeks. Text me if anything happens while I’m gone. I’m enjoying myself. I’ll text you ‘I love you’ but I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.” You meet so many new people, all the kids are great, everyone here is great. There’s not a single person I dislike or don’t get along with this year. All the anxieties and worries you have at home just go away while you’re here.
What is the biggest difference returning to year 2 at CGL?
I’d have to say already being ready for anything. I’m a lot more confident. I came in this year wanting to be a resource for everybody new, whether they’re a camper, counselor, or upper staff.
Last year, what was the biggest shock about camp?
I guess it was the whole camp aspect. We don’t have camps like this in England, or anything like it. And all of us who were here through Camp America felt it. After our very first Friday services, we were all like, “What is this place? Where are we?”
What is your favorite part about camp?
The pool. My favorite place is the pool. But, like I said earlier, I love that it’s really just like its own bubble. So I don’t have to worry about anything else in the world. Your main worry here is, What are we going to eat today? Or like, is it going to rain during Lake?
Having gone through last summer, what are you most looking forward to about this summer?
IronPigs and Carnival. Carnival’s my favorite day. I love the Carnival dance, too. It’s all of the things camp has to offer in one day. It’s just great. And the barbecue yesterday was so good, too.
What advice would you tell someone who is thinking about coming to Camp Green Lane?
Do it. You can’t explain it. Just do it. I try to explain it to all of my friends and I can tell that they’re just like…if you come here, you’ll love it.
What is your favorite camp meal?
Oooh, the salmon bagels with lox. The steak sandwiches [cheesesteaks] are a close second.