Q: What are some of your fondest memories or favourite subjects from your time at Risedale School?

Grace: When I think back to my time at Risedale, the support I had really stood out. Food Technology and Cambridge Nationals were the lessons I enjoyed the most, and having my tutor there made things feel a lot easier. I felt supported and understood, and it helped me stay confident in what I was doing. Those subjects and the people around me made school feel more comfortable and gave me a better experience overall.

Q: Looking at your camp photos, you’re proudly sporting a Leyburn United FC kit. Were you heavily involved in sports at school, and how did they help shape you?

Grace: Being involved in sports at Risedale, especially playing for Leyburn United, had a big impact on me. It gave me something to focus on outside of lessons and helped build my confidence. Around that time, my PE teacher, Ms Brierley, and I started running the girls' football team, and it’s amazing to see how well they’re doing now! Being part of all that taught me teamwork, commitment, and how to push myself. It gave me a place where I felt like I really belonged.

Q: We also know you were a Fire Cadet, which is incredibly impressive and shows fantastic community spirit. What was that experience like?

Grace: Being a Fire Cadet was an amazing experience because it showed me what a firefighter’s day-to-day life is really like. I learned so much from being part of it, and becoming a Cadet Leader for a year helped me grow even more. It pushed me to be more confident, take charge when I needed to, and support the people around me. All of that is definitely going to help with my leadership at camp this summer.

Q: For the Risedale community reading this, what exactly is Camp Blue Bay, and what will your role look like?

Grace: Camp Blue Bay is a summer camp about three hours away from New York City, and it's part of the Camp America programme. It’s a lot like the camps you see in films like The Parent Trap or Camp Rock, where everyone goes away for the summer to try new things and have fun. My day-to-day role as a Camp Counsellor will be to take the campers to all their activities, join in with them, hype them up, help sort out any problems, eat with them, and be part of the evening activities too. It’s basically about being there for them throughout the whole day and making sure they have the best experience possible.

Q: What inspired you to take the leap and apply for a position all the way in America? Was working abroad always a goal?

Grace: I didn’t want to spend my whole summer stuck inside on my phone! Going abroad felt like the best way to do something new and actually make the most of my time. I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone and see what summer is like in a completely different country. What really inspired me was seeing other people doing it online. It looked like such an amazing experience, and it made me realise it was something I wanted to try for myself. That’s what made me take the leap.

Q: Camp Blue Bay is famous for outdoor adventures like sailing and canoeing. Which activities are you most excited to lead or join in on?

Grace: I don’t actually lead any of the activities at Camp Blue Bay—I get to join in with the kids, which honestly makes it even more fun! I’m really excited about swimming in the lake because everyone talks about how nice it is, and I can’t wait for s’mores at night by the campfire. That whole cosy, summer-camp vibe is something I’ve always wanted to experience. I’m especially looking forward to the Fourth of July, because my camp goes all out for it and I can’t wait to see what it’s like in person.

Q: Catterick Garrison to New York is quite the change of scenery! What are you expecting to be the biggest "culture shock"?

Grace: Honestly, the biggest culture shock for me is definitely going to be the heat. When I went to Florida last year, I had to use Factor 100 sunscreen, so I already know I need to stock up before I go! I’m used to Catterick weather, where it can be raining one minute and freezing the next, so stepping into that proper American summer heat is going to hit me straight away.

Q: Beyond the fun of camp, what life skills are you hoping to gain from this international environment?

Grace: I think the biggest life skills I’ll gain are confidence and independence. Being in a completely different country, working with new people, and looking after young campers is going to teach me a lot about responsibility. I’m hoping it helps me become better at communicating, staying calm in busy situations, and working as part of a team. I also think being around people from different backgrounds will help me understand others more and be more open-minded. Overall, I just want to come back feeling like I’ve grown up a bit and learned things I wouldn’t have picked up by staying at home.

Q: It's a long time to be away from home. What do you think you’ll miss the most?

Grace: It’s my first time travelling by myself, so I know I’m going to miss everyone. But honestly? I’ll miss my dogs the most! I’m with them every day, so being away from them for a whole summer is definitely going to feel strange. I’ll miss my family and friends too, of course, but the dogs are the ones I’m always around, so that’s going to hit the hardest while I’m gone.

Q: Once the summer camp comes to an end, what’s next on the horizon for you?

Grace: Once camp ends, I’ll be heading back home to start the second year of my plumbing course at college. I’m really looking forward to getting stuck back into it, but I’m also hoping that next summer I can go backpacking. Spending this summer in the US has definitely made me want to travel more and see as much of the world as I can.

Q: If a current Risedale pupil is reading this and thinking, "I’d love to do something adventurous, but I’m too nervous," what advice would you give them?

Grace: My advice would honestly be to just go for it. Step out of your comfort zone, even if you’re doubting yourself or overthinking every little thing. I was nervous too, but taking that first step is what makes all the difference. You don’t want to look back and wish you’d tried; you want to look back at the pictures and feel proud that you pushed yourself.