AAVE Trip BLOG » Australia
July 23, 2008
Australia #1 2008 Final Note
Posted by AAVE Leader in : Australia , add a comment
Hey families and friends,
What a summer, it’s such an awesome experience to be able to step out of your day-to-day life style and get a new perspective on life. I always get blown away by how many lessons and experiences you can have in one month. This trip in Australia has been amazing, I would say it was a combination of a few things; that is, the awesome group (AAVE family) that fit together like a perfect puzzle, the action packed itinerary, the non-stop incredible experiences and the beauty of Australia surrounding us.
Every single person on the trip put themselves out there and gave it their all and because of that we got so much out of this trip. We all stepped out of our comfort zone, from Carey daring to raft the Tully, to Hayley jumping in the water for night diving with the sharks. The campers also had a lot of love for each other, we were very blessed to have Sammy’s and Steven’s compassion on the trip. Humor is a must on a trip and we had loads of those moments thanks to Andrews random creativity that excited everyone, Nicos funny comments, Kyle’s catchy songs and Jorge’s sounds whenever he told stories. Luckily we had some campers to calm us down and bring us back to sanity and Matt and Pierre were perfect for that role with their layed back style on handling things. Another great part about the trip was the random games that we constantly played and to keep the competitiveness high we had Liza and Mike to take care of that. We will never forget about Renato’s unstoppable energy and Sofia’s uplifting smile and happiness. Last but not least we were all grateful to have Callum’s and Erica’s ability to bring the group together. This has been an amazing summer and we have made long lasting friendships and experience that will impact our lives forever.
Thank you parent for having such awesome children and giving them this AAVE opportunity,
Cheers Mates,
Your Leaders and Friends who just wants to have fun by drinking tea and respecting everything around us - Kat and Tyson AAVE 2008 Down Under
Australia #1 2008
Posted by AAVE Parent in : Australia , add a comment
Abbott and Tyson,
Renato got back home at 6:00 o’clock this morning (37 hours on the go!!) and after the excitement of seeing his sister, mother and father (brother is in Dartmouth for a soccer showcase), he collapsed after lunch and is still sleeping. I will have to get him up soon, otherwise jet leg will stay for ever!
He had an amazing time! And just matured so much, having to deal all by himself with lost connecting flights, managing to stay at airports all alone for hours, plus all he learned during the trip… it was an awesome and fulfilling experience.
Thank you so much for everything! I was very impressed since day 1 with your organization, your knowledge of every child, when you haven’t even met them in person! AAVE HAS PROVED AN EXCELLENT SUMMER PROGRAM AND Renato will never forget his amazing days in Australia with Tyson and the kids in the group who will be friends for a long time.
All the best,
Claudia
July 22, 2008
Australia 1 - 2008
Posted by AAVE Parent in : Australia , add a comment
Dear Abbott and Staff,
My boys, Steven and Mike, just returned home from your Australia trip and I cannot say enough about how wonderful every aspect of this was. Your company made everything very easy for all of us and were available all the time especially just prior to the boys leaving. The trip for the boys was the most amazing experience by far. Every single aspect of the trip was wonderful and the only regret that I have is that I was unable to experience what they did. The group leader was the bomb according to the boys. Tyson was supportive, enthusiastic, and motivating. I knew the boys would grow and change but I had no idea by how much. The actual time in Australia was well planned, and exciting with enough down time for the boys to bond with the other kids. They have made 14 new friends from around the world and that alone is invaluable. This trip literally was life changing and I want to commend you all for providing a program like this. God willing, the boys would like to return next summer for another awesome adventure.
Thank you for all you have provided for my boys and keeping them safe as well.
Susan
July 14, 2008
Australia 1 Group picture on beach
Posted by tyson hale in : Australia , add a comment
July 11, 2008
Australia #1 - 2008
Posted by tyson hale in : Australia , add a comment
Hello again to Abbott and our families!
I think it is now fair to say that everywhere we go we seem to have an absolute blast! For example, we had a driving day today and we ended up discovering a waterfall to enjoy while Callum video tapped Andrew sneaking through the bushes like a tribal man and then Pierre, Kyle, Tyson and Nick tried to do two person cart wheels (don’t ask how we did it, we still don’t know. When we get home we will share the video, maybe post it on YouTube.)
During our drive yesterday, all of our stomachs are hurting with our new veggiemight buckle up rule. We decided we needed to make sure everyone was buckling up, so we took the most nasty tasting Australian bread topping - veggiemight, and whoever is not buckled during the drive has to take a big scoop of it. Let me tell you, the faces everyone makes when they put it in their mouth is to die for, we were all laugh so hard during the drive “buckled up”!
Another great thing about this trip is every day we are all trying out new things, like when Nick, Carey, Erica, Sam and many other campers did rafting for the first time. Or the scuba diving that Matt, Sam, Andrew, Callum, Renato, Hayley, Kyle, Pierre, experienced for the first time. Then there was the first time Erica, Sofia, Kyle, Andrew, Pierre, Callum, Tyson, and Renato played football with a watermelon with oil all over it. Can’t forget the time when Sam, Hayley, Steve, Mike, Kat, Liza, Carey, Nick and Jorge hopped on a boat and walked on the squeaky white sand of the Whitsuday Islands. Oh, and then there was the first and last time many of us will try veggiemight, hahahah!
We are only half way, so let the good times and new experiences come!!!
Take Care everyone,
Love, AAVE Australia Family, loving the AAVE life!
July 10, 2008
Australia #1!!!
Posted by tyson hale in : Australia , add a comment
What’s up everyone!!
Australia has been amazing, we have started this trip off on the right foot and we are still walking on that foot. The group is awesome!!! Without time to waist we hit diving full on and we experienced the wonders of the great barrier reef, by far the night diving with the sharks was an experience we won’t forget, although we did have to pull pretty hard to get a few to do it (we will let you guess who those campers were.) After that we rafted on the Tully River and boy was that intense, I think we are all going to think that every river after that river is going to be a piece of cake. Just yesterday we finally got to have a chill day on the beach, which ended up turning into a bunch of beach games and a bonfire bonanza…. we have really meshed well together and we are turning into one big family. Cheers MATES!!!!!
Love ty, kat, kyle, sam, cal, sofia, nick, jorge, mike, andrew, hayley, liza, erica, pierre, matt, renato, cari, steven
July 2, 2008
AUS1 - Cheers Mate!
Posted by AAVE Leader in : Australia , add a comment
G’day!
After a pretty crazy airport pick up day - everyone arrived safe and sound!! We are together at last and enjoying every minute of meeting one another and learning more about each other - the laughs have already occurred!
Our leader Tyson is a hoot! He is so funny and made us feel comfortable right away.
After getting acquainted with Cairns - so beautiful!!! - We are beginning our dive classes today - (that’s why this is a bit short). There is so much to know about diving - but we’re all learning quickly and all can’t wait to get into the water and see what’s in it!!!
Hopefully we’ll have some underwater pictures to show you - not sure though. The stories will be flowing though - can’t wait to share with you.
Check back soon!
January 26, 2008
Australian Teen Summer Camp THE BEST
Posted by AAVE Parent in : Australia, General , 2 comments
We feel it was a very successful trip for Will. He returned after an all-day flight full of enthusiasm and positive. We haven’t heard anything described negatively. He immediately went on your website to pick a trip for next year so that has to be the best recommendation. Our daughter is interested in going on an AAVE trip as well.
-Parent, Joel Ulster, AUS
The kids and activities were fun….I really enjoyed scuba diving. There was nothing I didn’t like!
-Camper, Will Hertzman, AUS
David had a great time. As soon as he got off the plane he thanked us for letting him go to Australia. He loved seeing the animals and the scenery. He is doing a presentation of his summer experience for his Boy Scout Court of Honor in September.
-Parent, Sandra Daniel, AUS
Olusina had a memorable time in Australia. Olusina expressed that it was great to have an Australian guide and the AAVE counselor combination. He felt that driving through Australia was a great way to see more remote parts. I was surprised that he felt the highlight of the trip was the outback ranch. The mixture of activities was excellent.
-Parent, Oluseyi Senu-Oke, AUS
AAVE was successful at getting me a better image of the world around me, and helping me build my self confidence!
-Camper, Olusina Senu-Oke, AUS
I thought the whole trip was really amazing! I loved the freedom we got when we could just walk around and go shoppping! I thought that all the activiities were really awesome as well. Our leader Jenny was entirely wonderful in every way. She was just a cool person to hang out with and she made the trip really great. If we needed something done, Jenny took care of it. She provided the perfect balance of leadership and fun.
-Camper, Cori Storb, AUS
I had a vacation to remember. I was able to have my dream come true by traveling and exploring Australia. Not to mention I made some really great friends! AAVE made it possible for me to not only do what I wanted like scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef or visit Australia Zoo, but try things I had never done before like surfing!
-Camper, Page Potter, AUS
The trip was amazing, and the people were fun, however the bus rides were long, but with the people on board it made the time fly by.
-Camper, Dan Kalinowski, AUS
Dan enjoyed himself very much, last year he went to Peru with AAVE , the experience was great, that is why he went to Australia, and next year maybe somewhere else. Your teen programs are first class.
-Grandparent, John Kalinowski, AUS
August 4, 2007
Australia #2A - Fun Down Under!
Posted by Jenny at AAVE in : Australia, General , add a comment
Whoo HOO!! What a trip on the water! We had some rough seas and helped out a fellow ship that had caught fire but after our assistance (and by our I mean the crew, we were safely below), all is well.
The dives were awesome, the food great and the kids are FANTASTIC!!! I am really excited to enjoy our time here in Australia together and know we are all going to have a blast down under!
I am sure glad the rough weather and some sea sick kids are behind us. We will be heading out of Airlie beach to the Outback very soon. I am excited to share this adventure! Thanks for sending such a great group!
G’day,
Jenny and Fish
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November 6, 2006
Australia Teen Summer Camp Feedback!
Posted by Chris in : Australia, General , add a comment
“I feel AAVE gave me the best summer of my life. I learned so many new things while I was in Australia. I made new friends, discovered a new culture and achieved goals I didn’t know I could achieve. I want to thanks you so much for this opportunity that has changed my life!”
-Becca Prasse, camper
