1. What’s your name?
Edward Ryalls
2. What’s your age?
I am 19 but I will be 20 when I arrive at camp!
3. Where are you from?
I was born in Liverpool in England but grew up near London ad abroad
4. What university/school do you attend? What major?
I went to Brentwood school near London then St David’s School in Wales for my last two years. This was a boarding school specializing in outdoor education and sport. I will be studying anthropology at university in September 2015.
5. What’s your favorite Country/state?
I love my home country especially the hills and mountains, even the terrible weather, but I have many other countries and regions close to my heart, currently I am in Nepal and the people are fantastically nice and welcoming.
6. What’s your favorite camp activity and why?
None of the summer camps I have attended have had the level of outdoor activities that camp offers, but on many Cadet and adventurous training trips I have enjoyed bush/camp craft most; putting up shelters, cooking outside and living in the middle of a forest were my favorite activities.
7. What are you most looking forward to about next summer and why?
I am looking forward to meeting all my new colleagues and the campers because I really enjoy getting to know new people. I am also really excited to see the states properly for the first time, especially New York. I am looking forward to being able to devote time to through study of the Bible as well; I’ve read eight books but never managed to find enough time for the rest.
8. What’s your favorite camp core value (community, Christian Formation, Developing Leaders or Natural Setting) and Why?
The core value that strikes me as most important, and therefore my favorite, is community. This, in my mind, is because the other three seem very dependent upon community. Christianity as a faith is all about common unity with one another as Jesus said; “For whoever does the will of my father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother”. To have leaders they need people, and therefore a community, to lead. A natural setting is definitely a great aspect of any community and exploration of our more spiritual side, but what good is a fantastic view for two months with no one to share it with? It is for these reasons that I value community above the other core value of camp.
9. What’s your dream job/vocation/calling for life?
I have wanted to many different things growing up, but have settled on Charity, Environmental and Humanitarian Aid Work. This is because I am most happy when helping, and making other people happy. I am hoping that a degree in anthropology will give me skills to increase the efficiency of many current programs around the world and set up some new ones.
Edward Ryalls