Where did you wake up on your 22nd birthday?

Bet it cannot beat a cabin at Camp Wakarara. Thursday night Emma slept with her class in the Hall and Taryn slept with her class in the dorms so it was just Casey and I (on our bottom bunks) in the cabin. I woke up before my alarm on Friday morning (probably because my nose was freezing). I checked my phone to see the time (5:13 am) – Casey rolls over and whispers “Happy Birthday Becca.” Even though I was on the other side of the world for my birthday – I was surrounded by amazing people that made it feel just like home. Who wouldn’t feel special having 90 students wish you Happy Birthday throughout the day!

Room 6 spent the morning down by the river. The kids were put into groups of 3 and given the task of gathering materials to build a fire. Since it was the last day of camp, Emma ransacked the kitchen and brought heaps of junk food for a feast. Once the fires were built, we roasted marshmallows and damper (a NZ backpackers food – just add water and cook over the fire for a delicious bread). The students attempted to roast biscuits (cookies) and chips over the fire – without must success, but still quite entertaining to watch. A NZ s’more is nothing compared to an American s’more because they do not have graham crackers. After a crazy of week on the go in the NZ wilderness, it was the perfect way to relax and enjoy a birthday morning.

When we returned to camp Room 2 had set out the lunch fixings for everyone. Most of our students (including me) had eaten so much junk food at the river that I had no room left for a birthday lunch. After we ate the students surprised me by singing Happy Birthday and presenting me with a gift – a NZ children’s book for my Kindergarten classroom and some NZ magnets and stickers. Logan (Mr. T), one of the Room 6 parent volunteers organized a group of the boys to perform a haka for me – which is a form of respect in Maori/New Zealand culture.

We got the camp cleaned up and headed back to camp on the buses. Emma and I finally made it home around 4 pm. I took a shower and washing my hair for the first time in a long time (I will spare you the exact number of days). Best birthday present ever – a hot shower. Emma picked up Noodle Canteen (one of my NZ pleasures) for us to share for birthday dinner. We watched the weeks worth of Shortland Street episodes before both crawling in bed at 7:30 pm. On Monday the students all asked me what I did to celebrate my birthday and laughed at me when I said I was in bed by 7:30 J

The mountains created by the fault line - you can see the
water line as the levels of the river have changed over time.

Miss Davis giving directions :)

Collecting items to build their fire and keep it going

Getting a "seat" was critical as well

Mr. T helping one of the groups - it was incredibly windy
through the river so the students had to build rock walls
around their fires to block the wind.

I learned that in the upcoming months the river is going
to be dammed to create a lake for tourist as well as
assisting in providing electricity and water

Blazing fires

Creating their damper

Emma, Casey, and I