FRANCISCO SANTOS - SUMMER 2022
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How would you describe your EP to someone who has never heard of it before? For example, if this is a travel EP, what languages are you learning? Do you live with a host family? If you are interning, what company are you with, and what type of work are you doing?
My EP was the Bold/Gold camping trip in Massachusetts. It was definitely a one of a kind experience. We went camping through the woods for about a week. We had many activities such as having roles for the day being a captain, map navigator, cleaners, water masters, cooks, wood gatherers, and tent setters. We would go hiking through the woods and climbing rocks while also enjoying the water, snacks and crazy, crazy, CRAZY views. Throughout the trip we all carried heavy bags and made sure we helped each other unpack. We slept in tents of 3. When we got to rivers we got to wash our faces and enjoy taking breaks throughout the long walks. After the trip we headed to the main YMCA camp which was a very fun environment. We slept in 3 walled cabins with 2 bunk beds. We would wake up at 7 in the morning, get ready and head to breakfast at 7:30 to 8. We would eat eggs, waffles, sausage, cereal, oatmeal, pancakes, french toast, and much more. We had a total of 4 classes in which after breakfast, we had 2 and after lunch we had the other 2. You could choose to take soccer, archery, BB’s, wall climbing, beach volleyball, canoeing, arts and craft, green cult, swimming, board games, legos, frisbee, gaga ball, basketball, tennis, and much more. My schedule was soccer, arts and craft, lunch, archery, and finally volleyball. Once we were done with our classes we had cabins which meant that we would do an activity with our cabin groups or have free time until dinner. Dinner would start at 6 and after dinner we would have a special event or have more free time. During our free time we could attend any place in the camp just in case you wanted to have a certain class but didn’t have space for it in your schedule. Night would come and we would get ready for bed until the next day.
What is a typical day like during your EP?
A typical day I remember was when I woke up early around 6am and started bringing down my tent with the help of other peers. I went to have breakfast by making myself oatmeal. Everyone had gathered equipment and we had packed our bags. We started our hike around 9-10 and throughout our hike, We would stop to drink water. We kept on hiking either downhill or climbing up some hills and rocks. Mid day we laid out tortillas with PB&J or sausage and had lunch. Got back up and hiked again until night time. We then stopped at allocation and gathered our stuff to start building up our tents. At night we would eat dinner and have an activity as a group. That was the end of the day and I got ready for the next day.
What was the biggest challenge of your EP?
The biggest challenge of my EP was having to think about my family. I would say especially about my aunt since she has stage 4-5 cancer and I was going to travel the day after I got home from the EP to Mexico to visit her. I had no connection with my parents to ask how my aunt was doing and that had me worried at night times. This was a challenge since it had gotten in the way of having motivation to walk more or enjoy the trip a bit more without worrying.
What was the biggest reward of your EP?
The biggest reward from this trip was the connections I've made and the mentality I’ve developed to motivate myself in many aspects of my life. The people at the camp were very chill, open minded, friendly, and very fun to hang around with. The staff were crazy fun and very fun. We made such a family and every activity was fun to join with them. The environment was very open and fresh to appreciate. I didn’t feel cramped or rushed.
What do you wish you had known before you went on your EP?
Before I had gone to my EP, I wish I had known to bring more shirts or something more comfortable to wear for the activities.
What advice do you have for future SEO scholars who are considering your EP?
Bring baby wipes. I'm glad I took a pack from my baby sister. BRING BABY WIPES.
Questions? Email Francisco at franciscos@seoscholars.org.
GRACE ANN TYNE
How would you describe your EP to someone who has never heard of it before?
BOLD/GOLD is a part backpacking and part sleepaway camp EP. For the backpacking portion of the EP we hiked during the day and relaxed while also doing activities in the evening. We slept in tents which we learned how to and would put up every evening. It was typically 3 to a tent but the sleeping situation depends on the amount and gender of the people going on the trip. For the sleepaway camp portion of the EP, we slept in cabins with the other campers at Camp Hi-Rock. We were typically the oldest campers but it was still extremely fun. At the camp, we did activities during the day and had programming in the evening.
What is a typical day like during your EP?
During the backpacking portion of my EP, we would wake up around 10 am where we would pack up everything and make breakfast. We would also stretch or do other activities before we left the campsite. Then, for the rest of the day we would hike; taking breaks in between to catch our breath or drink water. We also stopped wherever seemed best to have lunch while on the trail and relaxed before we started hiking again. When we finally reached our campsite we would set up our tents, find and collect water, make dinner, relax, and then do a activity or just talk.
What was the biggest reward of your EP?
The biggest reward of my EP was pushing my body to its limits and experiencing something new and fun that I would 110% do again.
What do you wish you had known before you went on your EP?
I wish I had known what to pack for the sleepaway camp portion of my EP and that you should only choose this EP if you really want to go on it.
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