On my very first day working in a commercial kitchen, which I had decided early on that it wasn’t for me, I got a call about a cook position on a mineral exploration camp. It was unexpected but perfectly timed. I took it, stepped away from the kitchen life I’d barely begun, and it ended up becoming my path.
A lot of people have misconceptions about camp life. They picture no internet, no running water, like you’re completely cut off. I was pleasantly surprised to find that all those things are present. This small, self-contained world feels both comfortable and adventurous. Being in the mountains, surrounded by wilderness, is something I’ve never taken for granted.
But more than anything, it’s the people who make it what it is. The crews are small so you get to know everyone you’re taking care of. Receiving their feedback, hearing them say thanks for a meal – those interactions make my work feel appreciated. It makes each day easier, more meaningful, feeling less like a workplace and more like a small town where everyone looks out for each other.
I’ve also seen how much the mineral exploration industry has meant for my community. Growing up, a lot of my friends from high school ended up working in mineral exploration camps. For some, it turned into long-term careers. For others, it was a way to get started and move on to something else. Either way, the work was there – it was steady, it paid well, and it opened doors for so many people.