What inspired you to work for L&E World Camp?
In my view, working with young people is the most rewarding job I can think of. L&E's ethos and values are aligned with my own so it was a perfect fit. Working as a Tutor at World Camp UK allowed me to spend time perfecting how to run a variety of inclusive activities where the children are learning whilst also having fun. Leading the Teen Travel trips was a different skill set and I thoroughly enjoyed this challenge.
Queen of the world in the Grampians National Park, Australia
Describe a typical day at work.
There is no typical day at L&E - that is why I love it! When I am not helping to run a World Camp or travelling around the world with Teen Travel I will be happily at my desk in the Scottish L&E Office. Day-to-day tasks can be any of the following: creating content for our social media platforms, organising guests for The Youth Project Podcast, working with our interns, speaking to parents, writing blogs, recording our podcast, planning new itineraries for Teen Travel or visiting parents. I also like to have a dance around the office every now and then, it keeps the creative juices flowing!
What is your favorite part of your job?
Definitely spending time with the children and teens. We are very fortunate that many children come back each year to either our World Camp or Teen Travel. This means we build strong relationships with not only them but their families. Seeing children come back year after year a little older and a little wiser is a pleasure to witness. To think we have even played a small part in helping them grow up to thrive is pretty cool.
My favourite photo of 2019 - me and my Teen Travel group in Paris, France
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
My first real taste of travelling was when I was 24. I was excited but also a little scared to be heading to Southeast Asia then onto Australia for two years. I would say to that 24-year-old girl to trust in her gut, to be kind and make sure to leave space for the unexpected. The best parts of the trip were always the spontaneous adventures that I went on. This trip was the best thing I have ever done - it opened my eyes to lots of different cultures and made me grateful for my privileged life.
What makes your L&E World Camp special?
L&E cares deeply about each child's experience. We will work hard to get to know every child, what makes them tick and how they can thrive whilst with us. Our programmes allow children to escape from their day-to-day lives and to meet children and adults from different kinds of backgrounds and cultures.
What is L&E World Camps' mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
Our mission has always been to bring young people from all different backgrounds and cultures together to have a shared experience. We work hard to promote our programmes across the world and each year to add new nationalities to our ever-growing list. L&E World Camps offer scholarships to the host countries' children to ensure the international children have a unique cultural experience but also to ensure we have children from all kinds of backgrounds at our camps.
If you could participate in one of L&E World Camps' programs, where would you go and what would you do?
That's a tough one. I did attend a few summer camps when I was in my early teens but they were big camps with local children attending, so quite different from our World Camp. Although I would have loved to meet children from all over the world I think I would have to choose Teen Travel Intrepid. As a young teenager the thought of travelling around the UK and being completely in charge of my own trip would have seemed daunting, but I have seen first hand how adaptable and brave teenagers can be. The teenagers have told me over and over again that skills that they return home with are invaluable. Things like increased confidence, budget management skills, how to stay safe in a large city, respect for other cultures, when to ask for help, when to trust your gut. Having a taste of independence whilst still having a safety net is a great place to learn and to push yourself. I would have loved it!
My second year at camp with my trusty skateboard
What questions do participants often ask you, and how do you typically respond?
We usually get lots of questions about Teen Travel as it is such a unique program. It can be a difficult experience to describe so we have worked hard to create short films which include interviews from alumni to help participants fully understand. When something is so unique it can be difficult to explain it but I think we have probably nailed it now!
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
L&E firmly believe in the importance of travelling to new places to experience new cultures. With L&E, it is especially relevant that young people develop their independence and their confidence and this is achieved by having children from a diverse mix of backgrounds and culture. Spending time with people different from you is the best way to embrace and appreciate them. The more time a person can spend with people from different cultures the more they will respect and value them.
What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?
There isn't always going to be the perfect place to travel to - the world is a big place so think about what you enjoy and care about. There are also many ways to experience a new place, such as guided tours, self exploration or volunteering. Think about whether you want to stay in one place/country to really get a feel for it or to travel to a few places and dip your toe in the water. One thing I would say - never go somewhere just to tick it off a list, or to get that one photograph. Try to immerse yourself in the place that you are visiting — that is the true art of travel.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel is immersing yourself in new cultures, meeting new people from new communities and learning and connecting with them. You have to be open to new ways of thinking and living and make sure you are respecting cultures and customs.