WELCOME! Looks like you’ve made your way to my bio…
First off, HELLO! Thank you for taking the time to get to know a bit about me. I am SO excited to be doing the same once your beautiful souls step foot into Augusta. My name is Teresa but I also go by Twig, T, T-dog, Treetree– what ever floats your (camp appropriate) boat! I’d like to think of myself as a free-spirited, adventure driven individual living out my journey whole heartedly. I am part of all that I have met, and with that being said let’s get started!
Some years ago I sprouted from America’s northern neighbour– CANADA! THE GREAT WHITE NORTH! HOME TO MOOSE! MOUNTAINS! PRAIRIES! LAKES! CANOES! THE METRIC SYSTEM!!
I was born and raised in a city just 20 minutes from Toronto, Ontario. There I spent much of my adolescence (and if I’m being honest my teen years too) climbing trees, listening to Hillary Duff, dancing, running to beat my brother to the park swings, and playing outside until the sun went down. However, after high school I decided to chase the mountains; so I moved across the country to study Environmental Science at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Moving 4000 km to new place to start a new chapter of my journey, all while not knowing a single person was one of the most adventurous decisions I’ve made thus far.
Being in Vancouver has been a dream. It’s allowed me to do more of the things I love like snowboarding, hiking, and watching sunsets by the beach. Being by/amidst the mountains has been a huge force behind finding alignment and solitude for me. I couldn’t be more grateful. West coast is definitely the best coast.
Although, this past year I’ve been away from the west coast as I am on a gap year. Camp Augusta will be my last hoorah of my year off, and I couldn’t be more ecstatic about it. But alas, this upcoming September I’ll be returning to Vancouver to finish the last years of my degree. I’m super stoked about it though! This will be the longest time I’ve spent away from school ever and I’m SO ready to dig deep, learn about the intertwinings of our Mother Earth and how to reserve/restore her integrity.
“So, what the heck have you been doing this year?”
Wow awesome question! In the grand scheme of things this past year has fostered an abundance of growth, experience, discovery, laughter, magic, awe and gratitude. Its been a wild ride of flowing within my truth.
It all started in April of 2017- I finished my exams, packed a backpack and flew back to Ontario to a town an hour away from where I grew up. I was going be a farm intern and I was super excited about it. Throughout my time in school, I grew an interest/passion for sustainable agriculture so I wanted to apply what I learned and also get some hands on experience working in a sustainable farm. I worked and lived in an organic greens farm, and what I gained from it exceeded my expectations. I met a handful of like-minded individuals, learned more about sustainable farming practices (my favourite: composting!!), and I got to wake up to the growth of all the sprouts I seeded. The best!!!!!! I spent about a month at the farm until I accepted a job offer in Manitoba (province to the left of Ontario). Little did I know this job/new found calling would change my life forever- not trying to be dramatic, but it’s true!!!
I headed on a plane to Manitoba to embark a summer at Tim Horton Camp Whiteshell. I spent 3 months living and learning in Whiteshell Provincial Park as a Wilderness Counselor. I discovered my calling for working with and empowering youth. Every day was an adventure I couldn’t wait to start- especially when we were on our 4 day hiking/canoeing wilderness trips! There were hardships and phenomenal achievements. It was a blessing to be able to serve the future change-makers and leaders of the world. Camp allowed me to see the potential I hold to change lives, and thus change the world. I have such fond memories of all the stories I got to hear, all the laughs I got to share, all the memories that were made, and all the magic that was brought by the campers. And I’m so excited to experience this and more at Augusta with all of you!!
Once I said my bittersweet goodbyes to Whiteshell I went back to Ontario to a different camp for another season. I really couldn’t get enough. At Camp Brebeuf, my role was an Outdoor Education Programmer. Everyday we had school groups come by to learn, explore, and challenge (by choice) themselves in the outdoors. We did all kinds of programs like high/low ropes, rock climbing, archery, astronomy, and survival skills to name a few.
When my season at Brebuef came to an end I decided to reunite with my family after being away for about a year before I began my next adventure….
AND SOOO here I am in this very moment, on my way back to Bangkok, finishing up my last few days in Southeast Asia. My last two months have been spent in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia doing a few more things I love-travelling and photography. My backpack and I have seen breathtaking landscapes and smiles, climbed many mountains, eaten tons of FOOD, connected with wonderful wonderful individuals, and learned about the culture that flourishes in said countries. Next stop, the UK and Netherlands!
So there you have it, that has been a summary of some of the things that drive me told through the journey of my gap year.
Want to get to know me more???? Take these RAPID! FIRE! FACTS!!!!
– I love the wilderness- would love to live off grid for a period of time
– Also one of my dreams is to be a van dweller, travelling around North & South America
– Favourite colour is yellow
– Favourite living creatures: sea turtles and bees (guess which one I have a tattoo of!)
– Today’s affirmation: I live in the paradise of my own creation
– I love art and thus I love to create! Videos, crafts, embroidery, you name it. Let’s make friendship bracelets together!
– Currently loving the Hidden Brain and A quiet mind podcasts
– Favourite crystal: citrine or amethyst
– My favourite way to discover a new place is on a bicycle
– Ice cream is my weakness
– Most of what I own is second hand (nothing beats vintage and a bargain!!)
– I ALWAYS break it down on the dance floor
– Artists I’ve been bopping to recently: George Ezra, Haley Blais, Bahamas, The Walters, Frankie Cosmos, and Maggie Rogers
– I LOVE learning about the histories of things, places, people and how all those interact with the world today.
Well that’s really it so far, and I cannot wait for what’s to come. So until we meet at Augusta, I’ll be happily putting in work preparing for your arrivals. My goals this summer is to give back to camp for what it’s done for me this past year and to continue to grow as a leader/individual through Augusta’s philosophies, teachings, and fellow Augustans like you. Here’s to a meaningful summer of laughter, love, growth, dancing, acceptance and MAGIC (will I ever stop using the word magic????). See you soon Augustans.
Campingly yours,
Teresa
