Going to any new place, especially one where you may not know anybody beforehand, is a nerve-wracking thought for many people.
As Seeds, we can try with all our might to assure you that you shouldn’t be nervous about going to Seeds of Peace Camp, but we understand that until you experience it for yourself, that’s hard advice to follow.
We reached out to fellow Seeds from our years and delegations to offer some tips and tricks that will help you acclimatize to Camp life as quickly as possible so that you can get the most out of your time in Maine.
- Make friends on the bus; it’s always nice to know people when you get there
- Don’t be afraid to try something new in your spare time; your Camp days will be very busy, but there’s always free time built in to to explore something new
- Express your opinions the way you want them to be heard—don’t ever feel you should be quiet because you feel that others wouldn’t agree with what you’re saying
- The beds are comfortable, but the bunks are old; do your best to keep them clean, as the cleanest bunks win prizes
- Bring crocs
- Live in the present, enjoy the company you are with
- Make friends with counselors—they’re really easy to talk to and want to get to know you
- Make friends with Leslie—she oversees the whole Seeds of Peace organization, and she loves getting to know Seeds
- Get to know Bobbie; she’s got a lot of great stories
- Take a nap during rest hour
- Bring long-sleeved clothes and bug spray—mosquitos are vicious
- Bring a camera—you can record your memories
- Showering isn’t as important as you think
- Wear bug spray at night
- Keep a journal—it’s great to be able to look back after, and even during, Camp to see how far you’ve come
- Be raw and forthright—the more willing you are to open up about yourself and put yourself out there, the more powerful your experience will be
- Wear flip-flops in the shower house
- Invest yourself in dialogue 110 percent and have conversations outside of dialogue
- Come ready to hear harsh, contrasting stories
- Don’t hide your emotions; explain and express them
Hi, This is Tarique from the 2019 Indian delegation. This is a really helpful information for me to pack and to more deeply be ready for it. This is a really amazing post that Seeds have shared with us.
Thank you.