Tegan’s Day in the Life at Camps Equinunk & Blue Ridge -
By Tegan Owen
Every day at camp had its own rhythm, but here’s what a typical one looked like for me as an Animal Care Specialist at Camps Equinunk & Blue Ridge.
Morning
The day starts bright and early at 8 AM with the sound of Reveille echoing across camp, and honestly, birds chirping too (if you weren’t already awake!). By 8:15, the whole camp gathers around the flagpole, where we raise the flag, celebrate any camper or staff birthdays, and listen to announcements for the day ahead. It’s a really nice way to feel connected to everyone — like a huge extended family. Breakfast is at 8:30, and afterwards, campers head back to cabins for a quick tidy-up before heading off to activities.
From 9:30 AM, I lead three animal care sessions back-to-back. These are some of my favourite parts of the day. In the morning, I usually work with younger boys, from the littlest in lower camp to the younger half of upper camp, having 3 different sets of campers for 50 minute sessions. We handle animals like rabbits, snakes, and lizards, and I answer any questions they have — which are often surprisingly interesting or hilarious! It's amazing to see how curious they are and how quickly they build confidence around animals.
Afternoon
After a busy morning, we break for lunch at around 12:30pm and rest hour, where campers can nap, write letters, read, or just chill in their bunks and staff can relax too whilst supervising. In the afternoon, I usually run three more animal sessions, often with the lower campers from girls side. These are pretty similar to the morning sessions, however I have the same group of girls for 2 hours. Every day is different, some campers are nervous at first, but watching them hold a snake for the first time or ask thoughtful questions about animal behaviour is so rewarding. We then head back to the flagpole for 5:45pm ready to head to the mess hall for dinner at 6PM.
Evening
After dinner, we jump into the evening activity, which could be anything from a campfire and s’mores, to a talent show or even a guest hypnotist. Once that wraps up, we head back to the cabins, help the kids wind down, and usually share highlights from the day and make sure they are all ready for bed. I worked with the Upper Sophomores (8-9 year olds) and their lights out was 9:15PM.
My Favourite Camp Memories
1. My campers seeing me after I have been at my specialty — they always ran and gave me group hugs.
2. Experiencing my first 4th of July — the celebrations and fireworks were unforgettable.
3. My building consisted of woodworking, arts and crafts, animals, science, and cooking. Getting Employee of the Day randomly made it all worth it.
Final Thoughts
These memories remind me why camp was such an incredible experience, full of connection, new traditions, and moments of appreciation. They shaped not only my summer but also how I see teamwork and community.
