There were usually 14 of them, and they would come from about a dozen countries. We were the briefing stage for them so they could learn some Canadian culture, and get to know each other before heading off to different Canadian homes.The other note of interest in this picture is the sky behind them. Remember those storms when we thought the trees would fall, or the cabins would be blown down? Remember the sheets of rain that soaked you if you took two steps from the dining room to your cabin?
The storms were not restricted to any decade. They came off the lake with fury.
6 comments:
I had thought about doing a post on the International Students, but I didn't know how long the camps went on, and how many people could associate with it.
I guess it did go on for quite a few years!
One of the things that was popular when I was on staff ('87 & '88) was to befriend a student and try to get them to give you their country's flag at the end of the camp. I never bothered trying, since there was so much competition. I think my sister ended up with a flag or two though!
Being a lifeguard, the weather was always an interesting part of the summer. Of course we would have to close the pool during any nasty thunderstorms, but if it was just raining, we were usually the ones shivering in the rain while some hardy kids insisted on going swimming.
I always had to chuckle at people who would question us having the pool open while it was raining. My response? "Well, they're just going to get wet anyway!"
Who remembers the tornado scare in '95? Two big remembrances of that one:
1. the definition of "barometric pressure" (as told by Debbie Williams)
2. "THE POPCORN IS DOWN!!!" (courtesy of Glenn Lavender, of course)
Someone direct Sarah Milmine to this site, would they? She was always the expert on international students!!
The relationships built with the Lion's club staff that came with the International students each year was pretty important to me. The summer of 1990 I was asked if I was interested in going on an exchange and in the summer of 1991 I spent 7 weeks in Norway. It was awesome. That was the start of my love for travelling, and living in different countries. Since that time I have lived for 2 months or more (up to 3 years) in 6 other countries and travelled to many more. So, thanks to the Lion's club for enriching my life first with bringing the International students to Camp Selkirk and then for giving me the opportunity to experience the exchange trip myself. Thanks also to the Army for giving me opportunities to serve in so many different countries. It is true 'Join the Army, see the world'...at least in my experience!
Sharon, I was hoping you would post in response to this, because I knew you had a great experience through the Lion's club.
Lynn, I can think of at least two flags I got from the campers (Israel and Austria). There may be more too. They're stored away somewhere in my house.
I remember a few funny food stories too about the International Students. One of the Israeli students asked permission to come into the kitchen to make lasagna for us. It was my first real "international meal" and I was shocked that someone would put boiled eggs and carrots into their lasagna, but I do remember it being pretty tasty.
I also remember one guy convincing some of us younger, more gullible staff members that in his country they ate oranges with the skin still on. He'd keep it up until he convinced someone to take a bite. After he laughed at their reaction, then he'd let them know he'd been just kidding. He got me!
I have a comment on those ominouse clouds and storms...does anyone from the summer of '94 remember the lightning coming down to the road between hoover and boys staff? That was a crazy storm.
my most vivid memory of the exchange students is the fact that "some" of the girls (coughSue!) thought it was great fun to chase the good lookin' boys! lol
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