We are so proud of our diversity at XUK. In 2016, our campers came from 39 different countries including the UK, India and Mexico! One of our campers from Mexico is Daniela, who was spending her second summer with us at XUK Activity.
Daniela would describe herself as outgoing, curious and happy – these are all qualities we like to see in a camper! During her spare time, Daniela enjoys drawing, reading and writing, playing sports and being with her friends. Being only sixteen, Daniela has not completely decided on a career path to follow as an adult but hopes to study genetics or medicine.
Coming to XUK Activity meant a flight across the Atlantic for Daniela. “At first I felt extremely nervous, but excited. I love to meet new people, but can be shy. I quickly felt comfortable and made lots of friends.” Our staff at great at making our campers feel at home from the minute they arrive with activities arranged for their arrival!
Our wonderful range of activities on offer mean there is something for everyone. Daniela’s found it hard to pick her favourite activity from the summer. “I really enjoy all of the activities at camp, especially the evening activities. I think my favourite is Outward Bounds.” We are very lucky to have a climbing wall, high ropes course, Jacob’s Ladder and low ropes at XUK Activity. Throughout the summer we see lots of campers overcome their fears. “I love and hate heights. I know that during Outward Bounds, I can confront my fears and be safe at the same time.”
There is a lovely saying ‘collect memories, not things’. A summer camp is a great place to create everlasting memories. Danielle shared some of her favourite times with us. “Some of my best memories are staying up late with the girls in my dorm and all of those times that I fooled around with my friends.” Our campers will be making hundreds of new memories this summer!
So many campers and team members wish our camps were an all year round thing! We all miss XUK throughout the year. Daniela told us what she misses the most. “The people I met, friends, staff members, even the people I didn’t get a chance to know well.” It’s only 59 days until we are reunited!
Whether you have only spent one summer at XUK or six summers, you are bound to have advice for other campers. As many of you may know, we have two types of accommodation at XUK Activity. Daniela has stayed in our dormitories and T-Bells. She would advise campers to take note of our kit list. “If you are staying in T-Bells, take warm clothes to wear at night.”
There are so many positive being at camp. Some say that summer camp has changed their life for the better. “Going to XUK made me more confident and independent, it also opened my mind to different cultures, religions and people. It's amazing how different we can be and still get along so well or how you can have friends with people from the other side of the world.”
We are very fortunate that lots of our campers return as staff members once they turn eighteen. We asked Daniela if she would like to be part of our team in the future. “YES! I love being at XUK and have so much fun thanks to the amazing staff they have, and I would love to one day help make someone feel the way I do about camp. Besides they always seem to have as much fun as campers.”
Being an international summer camp, our campers come from all over the world. We are so lucky, that with social media, we can stay in touch with our friends. Daniela said, “I'm keeping in touch with my friends. We talk through social media. Unfortunately even though I've been invited to visit them, it is very difficult for me since I live very far away from them (most of my friends are from Europe and I live in Mexico). But we try to make plans to see each other again someday!” It won’t be long until you are all reunited again.
59 days to go, we cannot wait to see you soon!
#xuk2017