AAVE Trip BLOG » European Teen Summer Camp; Trip of a Lifetime!
January 26, 2008
European Teen Summer Camp; Trip of a Lifetime!
Posted by AAVE Camper in : Bold Europe, General AAVE Trip BLOG , trackback
Everything was successful. Every aspect of the trip, the people, the cities, the camp sites and the activities were so amazing it is still hard to believe that I spent the summer in Europe with people who have become some of my best friends. On the very first day all 15 of us instantly bonded. The second we were all together at the campsite, we started to play games and talk to each other while the leaders were off cooking dinner. It was absolutely amazing how all of us were so similar and so outgoing, ready to make the person sitting next to them their best friend. Honestly, I expected that there would be a few people who didn’t really want to open up to new friendships and would kind of be off by themselves, but there was not one person with whom I could not talk about anything, personal or humorous. The activities and places we went would not have been the same without the people on the trips. When it came to the hostels and campsites, we all were very impressed with the quality and class of each place. The campsites were in beautiful locations, and in charming towns. I believe that my first experience in Europe was so special because of the small towns we went to and the long car trips through the countries. I know several people who have been to France or Spain or Italy, who have only been to the major cities and don’t understand the true beauty in a foreign country because they have not experienced the old towns with small grocery stores in which you can only speak the Spanish or French. I am grateful that for my first time overseas I was able to really experience the culture and the history of Europe with the most amazing people I have ever met.
-Camper, Genevieve Stack, BE
Peter had a ball. He loved the kids and he loved his leaders. This trip was not something I would have expected him to choose because in the past, he has insisted on doing things with a friend. And, he is a boy who likes his creature comforts so to choose such a rugged trip was a shocker. That’s why the fact that he got along so well is all the more important. He has described his AAVE experience as “the best summer of my life.” So thank you and I look forward to sending Peter on another AAVE trip next summer!
-Parent, Amy Barr, BE
Absolutly successful, it was my most amazing summer and I can’t wait to do another one, it met my every expectation and i had an amazing time!!
-Camper, Peter Barr, BE
Aaron LOVED his trip to Europe. He didn’t have anything negative to say.
-Parent, Judy Felder, BE
Andrew had a great overall time this summer. He said he really felt he got to connect with everybody in his group in addition to the trip leaders. He enjoyed the camping and being active all the time and felt that this really helped the group come together even more. This trip was extremely successful and I would recommend it to anybody.
-Parent, Eileen Eisbrouch, BE
I really loved this trip and thought it was extremely successful. I thought the group was really cohesive and we really got to know each other well. The leaders were very responsible and we were always active 24/7.
-Camper, Andrew Eisbrouch, BE
John was responsible for identifying AAVE, selecting the trip he wanted, and persuading us that this would be a great thing for him to do. We were impressed by the way AAVE is set up, the thoroughness of organization, and the level of contacts. As for the trip - I envied him the opportunity, and would have liked to join him!
The contact from the airport in Paris gave us further confidence - and because John has always displayed his own self-confidence and demonstrated his ability to deal with things, we knew that he would do well.
His reports of the trip have been glowing ones - all of his expectations appear to have been met or exceeded, and it is clear that he had a wonderful time. He is now primed to repeat some of his experiences, and has developed further confidence in his own ability to organize and travel by himself or with friends - perhaps some day he would be a good candidate for an AAVE leader.
-Parent, John Hammond, BAP
The whole trip was a success. I had doubts before we left about how the group would come together to function but all of that was lost within the first day. The organization was top notch and I can’t think of any way to improve the Bold Europe trip.
-Camper, John Hammond, BAP
The trip was well organized but not to the point of being inflexible. The counselors seemed to be able to balance friendship with the needed amount of authority. I loved that the campers had to plan, shop & prepare their meals. The CO office was also clearly well run as evidenced by the really helpful, frequent & informative emails.
-Parent, BOokman
Nicholas talked about his leaders with such joy and respect!! The activities were exciting but the counselors and kids made it a wonderful memory! Nicholas would love to go on another adventure with Nate.
-Parent, Nic Rubel, BE
I had such an amazing summer with AAVE. What was successful about my trip was the learning and bonding experiences. I learned so much about Europe’s culture and language. I thank you so much for the opportunity. It was defiantly a successful trip.
-Camper, Cyndi Ruebel, BE
AAVE fulfilled every positive expectation we had, and then some. It was impeccably organized and supervised, with intelligence, energy and wit from beginning to end. We are proud, pleased and privileged to be part of the AAVE family. Thank you so much.
-Parent, Ari Mygatt, BE
Nothing was unsuccessful. I was surrounded by great people and got to see a zillion sights that I otherwise would have had to wait years and years to see on my own. I also got to take part in activities I could easily have gone my whole life without having even heard of (IE: Via Ferrata) which were always ALWAYS enjoyable.
-Camper, Pamela Viscomi-Yates, BE
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