I am always fascinated by the number of people that I come in contact with that have gone to Kanata as a child, or that have parents that attended Kanata. I love the fact that one little place can unite so many people. I got to thinking about camp and I began to wonder how many recognizable people could be traced back to having their beginnings at a summer camp or even at Camp Kanata. I stumbled across some of these quotes, taken from various people speaking about their own personal experiences at camps or their reason for believing in the camping experience. I am glad that I have the opportunity to share these with all of you!

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
"I think in many ways the camping experience gives children the chance to be children, to enjoy a time that really uses their minds and their bodies, develops their spirits, exposes them in a safe environment to other people, lets them learn about themselves. And that is important because I think it really relates directly to the kind of citizens and leaders we will have in the future."
________________________________________

Joan Lunden
Television anchor and author
"In my seven years at camp, I have watched children grow and develop self-confidence and leadership skills and a willingness to explore and challenge themselves. Camp creates a nurturing environment that allows children to gain important “life experiences.” They keep coming back because of the friendships they make, the staff becomes a surrogate family to them, and because it’s a safe environment that fosters healthy values."
________________________________________

Tucker Carlson
Journalist and author
"Our culture doesn’t value as much as it should giving children the space to play. A child’s imagination and creativity is really enhanced at camp. Another important message from camp is that you really grow by giving. That’s one of the most valuable things about camp—respect for others."
________________________________________

Colin Powell
Former Secretary of State General, Founding Chair of America's Promise – The Alliance for Youth
"I want to congratulate all of the professionals of the American Camping Association for your commitment to what I am trying to do with my organization America's Promise – The Alliance for Youth . . . . I admire what you do. . . one of the best alliances, one of the most successful alliances we've created so far is the alliance between America's Promise and the American Camping Association. Camping is a great opportunity for young people. It teaches them a little about themselves. It teaches them how to get along with other people – both other young people as well as adults. It teaches them self-reliance. It gets them away from a neighborhood or situation that may exist in their neighborhoods that isn't healthy. It preserves their integrity. It allows them to avoid the pathologies of drugs and crime and violence and terrible things they might see in their communities.'
_________________________________________

Francis Ford Coppola
Film Director
"If I have to be remembered for something, I want it remembered that I really liked children and was a good camp counselor."


I can't wait to see you this summer!

Jen Baldinelli
Program Director
jennifer.baldinelli@campkanata.org

I was watching the Today Show this morning...

I don't normally watch the Today show when I wake up in the morning. My usual routine involves waking up (before my wife), making coffee (www.larrysbeans.com) and watching Sportscenter (www.espn.com) in the living room. My wife usually has the Today show on in the morning as she gets ready for work and this morning I happened to be in the room when they were doing a piece on summer opportunities that would take the place of camp. Now I realize that not everyone is going to send their child to camp, but summer camp is a very valuable experience for a child, and I think many people don't fully understand all that children gain during that experience.

Every day at camp I get to see children learning to be responsible by cleaning up their area of the cabin, by making their bed and by taking care of their chores for the day. I get to see campers being respectful of the world around them and learning to be better stewards of their environment. At camp Earth Day is not just one day a year: it is every single day. During each summer camp session, I get to observe children from different socio-economic, religious and racial backgrounds live together and become best friends. I get to see children work out their differences in a respectful and caring way. At camp, children have the opportunity to learn all of these skills, in the midst of trying new activities, making new friends, and playing outdoors. Obviously, camp is not the only environment in which children can learn these skills, but the summer camp experience is a great part of a child's development.

At the end of the Today show segment I understood that there are other things to do outside of summer camp, but I was disappointed that they reduced summer camp to a bunch of random activities. Camp is more than activities. It is an opportunity for a child to grow into a great citizen of this world and to become all they were meant to be. Be sure to give your child the gift of a life changing event...send them to camp this summer.

Your Camp Director,

Dave

Scholarship Update

Each fall Camp Kanata volunteers raise money to send kids to camp the following summer. These kids would otherwise be unable to afford a camp experience. Last fall sixteen volunteers plus staff raised approximately $95,000. Because of that, this summer about 41 day campers and 164 overnight campers are receiving a scholarship to come to Kanata. That is fantastic!

Currently there are about 20 kids on a Camp Kanata wait list for scholarship because all the money for 2009 has been awarded and the list will get longer.

How can you help send more scholarship kids to Kanata?

• If you have already made a donation, thank you so much! Could you increase your gift? If not, we understand.


• If you have not already made a donation, please consider doing so.


• If you received a scholarship and you now find that you are better able to afford camp, please consider returning part of your scholarship.


• Consider volunteering in this fall's scholarship campaign to raise money.


• Tell everyone you can about Kanata and its scholarship campaign to raise awareness, recuit campaign volunteers, and increase giving to the scholarship campaign.

Thank you for helping Kanata help kids!

Contact Eva Hobson at 919-556-2661 or eva.hobson@campkanata.org for more information.

Eva Hobson
Director of Administration

The Positive Impact of Camp Kanata

I received a phone call the other day from a parent of camper. She shared a great story of the positive impact that Kanata has had on her daughters life. I asked her to write this story down so I could share with others. Below you will find her words.

Dear Dave,

I wanted to share a recent conversation I had with my 17-year-old daughter Alex this past weekend.  Alex has been a camper with you since the 5th grade and last year participated in your CILT program.  I have always known how much she loved and cherished her time at Kanata but never fully understood the impact it has had on her life until a few days ago.

We were actually away on a college visit and while at dinner the conversation turned reflective.  I was trying to figure out where her head was at as far as living away from home all the while attempting to et some reassurance that I had done a good job as her Mom in preparing her for what lies ahead.  That's when it happened.  She looked at me straight in the eye and said "Mom, do you know what was the best thing you ever did for me?  I mean the greatest gift you ever gave me?"  I thought about it for a moment, scanning my memory banks for scooters and cameras, earrings and purses and then very honestly said, "no".  She went on to say, "sending me to Camp Kanata."  I was dumbfounded.  I looked at her quietly and said "Kanata?"  She said, "yes Mom, Camp Kanata was where I found my voice and each year that I return it teaches me about the kind of person I want to be."  I sat there for a moment picturing the child I had sent off to Kanata all those years ago and then slowly drifting back to the here and now;  looking at the young woman before me just a year away from leaving for college.  I had no way of knowing when I filled out the application and dropped her off the first time that the investment I made back then would pay such huge dividends today.

I just want to say thanks Camp Kanata.  You share this great accomplishment in raising a great kid with us and I now fully understand what a vital and integral part the glorious days of summer camp have played.  I don't know any of the staff personally but collectively I see what you accomplish each season through the eyes of my daughter.  I will never be able to express my gratitude enough and pray that you will be allowed to continue this work of molding and nurturing young lives for many years to come.  

With sincere thanks,

Teresa Franzen

I am lucky to be able to do the work I do and see the positive impact of camp everyday. Thank you for allowing Kanata to be part of your life and we look forward to delivering this positive legacy for many years to come.

Your Camp Director,

Dave

Why are you interested in coming back to camp this summer?

It's late April at Camp Kanata and that means we're getting incredibly close to opening day. Excitement is building every day and the bright green leaves and white dogwood flowers are doing their part to spruce up Camp after a long winter. These are the days when I start to imagine over 200 campers and 70 staff running all over the place. As Dave mentioned in an earlier post, that's when Camp feels right.

This weekend we've had two groups out here at camp: a Kiwanis Builders Club retreat and St. Luke Catholic church's high school youth group. It's nice to hear cheers and voices echoing through the trees and to see lights on in the camp buildings. In just a few weeks we'll have all the staff out here getting ready and Camp will be back to business as usual.

I also had the opportunity to talk with a Kanata couple who took some engagement pictures out here at camp. Though they were both counselors here a while ago, they still feel a strong connection to this place and I can definitely relate to that. Throughout all the interviews I've done over the past few months, it's great to hear our returning staff answer the question "Why are you interested in coming back this summer?" Hearing about the connections they've made over the summers and the counselors who inspired them reminds me that I'm hiring the next generation of role models for Kanata.

Summer is coming quick and I am looking forward to introducing our staff--new and old--to everyone who drives through our gate.

Take care and we'll see you soon!

Ryan

Finding things that connect us

I stopped at the Starbucks on Creedmor Rd. the other day in Raleigh to get my usual coffee beverage, venti Pike Place. It cost $2.05 and whenever I stop at Starbucks that is what I get, with a little room left for cream. As I was standing in line this morning I talked with the person in front of me about what they purchased (something way more technical than my order) which spurred a conversation with the person behind about their purchase, which quickly spread to a headline on the local newspaper which I was holding.

After I left Starbucks I was taking part in a panel discussion on connecting and building relationships in the community. As I was thinking about connecting I thought about my conversations at Starbucks. Everyone at Starbucks had something in common with me:  we all drink coffee. It is easy to start up a conversation about favorite drinks, do you always get the same drink, is it a daily ritual, cold or hot beverages...you get the idea. As I think about how we connect with people it usually begins with asking questions to find out what it is that binds us together.

When a camper is dropped off on Sunday at our overnight camp or on a Monday morning at our day camp our staff jump in with questions that help connect them to the camper and then connect that camper to other campers. "What grade are you in?" "Fourth grade! Wow, I was in fourth grade once! " "Have you met Brian over here? He is in fourth grade too", "What are your favorite things to do after school?" "I love riding a skateboard too!"

This past weekend I was in Washington, NC (2 hours east of Raleigh) and I was doing a 3 day bicycling tour. At the first aid station at Goose Creek State Park I started talking to the volunteer who was handing out water and snacks. After 4 questions I was able to find out that he was a former camper at Kanata in the late 80's. Who would have thought that I would drive 2 hours across the state and then ride 15 miles to an aid station at a state park to find a Kanata camper? It all happened because I was looking for an opportunity to connect. Take the opportunity today to talk with the people around you that normally wouldn't. Ask questions, engage others and show you care. It's the Kanata way.

See you this summer.

Your Camp Director,

Dave

So I went for a couple of bike rides this weekend

I have a couple of hobbies; my wife would tell you that I have too many, but I like keeping busy. One of my hobbies is riding my bike. I started riding a bike as a child and I still remember the bike I learned on and how my dad would run behind me holding on the seat until I sped off under my own balance and power. That was about 34 years ago and the skill I learned back then I still use today.

This past weekend I went on a couple of rides. On Saturday I rode a 30 mile loop around Falls Lake in northern Wake County by myself. It was a great ride, with great weather, and I burned a lot of energy. On Sunday I went for another ride, but this time with some friends. We rode 50 miles through Chatham County and Wake County. We spent the day pushing each other, racing each other, stopping at off the beaten path gas stations to purchase moon pies (great energy food) and talking about an upcoming biking trip we are taking.

As I look back on my rides this weekend a few things jump out at me. First, my ride on Sunday was more enjoyable because I was with friends. I can definitely jump on my bike any time I want, but the journey is more fun when taken with others. Second, the skill I learned as a child, riding my bike, I still use to this very day and will probably use for the next 20 or 30 years.

These lessons from my rides draw some comparisons to camp. Kanata is a great place, but it is much better with friends. If you came to camp now it would seem empty, but this summer when there are 400 other campers and 100 staff members out here, who are friends, it is the greatest place in the world. Also, the skills you learn at camp will be things you use for the rest of your life. Whether it is how to paddle a canoe, learning to swim, how to make your bed or how to identify poison ivy (very important) these skills will have a lifetime of impact.

So I think what I am trying to say is, life is better enjoyed with friends and the things you learn as a child will be part of you for the rest of your life. We look forward to providing a place to make friends and learn new skills and we hope you take advantage of this opportunity.

See you this summer!

Your Camp Director,

Dave

Being part of a community

I love being part of my community!  When my wife and I were looking for houses a couple of years ago we looked in established neighborhoods.  We wanted to feel part of something bigger than ourselves.  We wanted to wave at our neighbors when we got home in the afternoon, we wanted to sit on our back deck and talk to people as they walked their pets at night, we wanted sidewalks with kids playing on them and we wanted to know that we belonged somewhere.  

Every day at camp we teach our staff and campers how to live in a healthy community.  We teach them to be responsible for the world around them and to be respectful of others.  We teach them to deal honestly with everyone they come in contact with and to have a caring attitude toward others.  We believe if we can live the right way at camp there is no reason we cannot live that way when we leave camp.

People look for community in a number of places.  It might be your church, the place you work, your neighborhood pool in the summer or a restaurant you frequent.  For whatever reason people usually like being connected to something outside of themselves.  Camp Kanata is no different.  We are part of a community also, the town of Wake Forest.  We are active in the Chamber of Commerce, we have a float in the Christmas Parade, we support community events and we invite business leaders from Wake Forest to camp every summer to take part in an evening at Kanata.  We like being connected to something bigger than us.  This year the town of Wake Forest is celebrating its 100th anniversary and we are proud that we have been a part of this community for 55 of those 100 years.  

Congratulations Wake Forest on your first 100 years.  Kanata is honored to be part of your community.

See you this summer!

Your Camp Director,

Dave

Little things make a big difference

This past weekend I was installing new rails on my backyard deck and during the course of the construction I got several splinters. I got most of them out except for one very tiny splinter that I am barely able to see which found its way into my left index finger. You would think that something so small would not have the impact on my life that this splinter has, but its arrival has changed how I do most things. Let me begin by saying that I am left handed and so the splinter is disrupting how I write, how I brush my teeth, how I hold my coffee cup, how I drive...you get the idea.

As I was anguishing over my splinter and the impact this small thing has on my life I started thinking of the impact of camp on the life of a camper and staff member. We tend to think of camp as a small thing. You might only come for one week a summer, but during that time you are taught the character traits of honesty, respect, caring and responsibility. These might be small things, but as you learn them and implement them in your life they make a huge difference in everything you do...sort of like my splinter.

Now I am not saying that camp is annoying like a splinter, can lead to infection like a splinter or that you will need to seek medical attention to remove it from your system like a splinter. I am saying that a small thing like camp can change the way you do things. Camp teaches us to be respectful of all people no matter what their background is and you end up living that same principle when you go home. Because camp teaches us to be honest and play by the rules you continue to be honest and play by the rules in your everyday life. Because camp teaches us to be caring we show concern for others and want to make a positive impact on their lives. Because camp teaches us to be responsible we became better stewards of the world around us.

So next time you think that camp is not that big of a deal, think of my splinter and the impact a small thing has on our everyday lives. Camp is a small thing that makes a big difference.

See you this summer!

Your Camp Director,


Dave

A message from Jen Baldinelli, Program Director at Camp Kanata

Much like Dave, I recently stumbled across an article that struck me. This article was an excerpt from the March American Camp Association (ACA) E-News. The article was entitled "What the World Could Learn from Summer Camp." I think that the whole article can be best summed up with the last phrase, "Anyone who has worked at a camp will agree that you won't understand camp without trying it. Without trying it I wouldn't have learned as much as I have." I hope that all of you will have had the opportunity to try camp this summer, and as a result, learn from the great experience. I look forward to seeing you all this summer!

What the World Could Learn From
Summer Camp
By Matthew Carroll

In the summer of 2008, I decided to work as a counselor at a traditional American summer camp in upstate New York. This trip to New York started out as a journey of procrastination and meditation, but quickly turned into a journey of discovery. I'd finished University only one week before and had no idea what my future would hold; I thought that a couple of months working in a camp would assist me in my pursuit of avoiding the real world. It was exactly this mission that made me realize something — camp was not the real world.

It first hit me on the first day of camp when everyone was dressed the same — white T-shirt, shorts, sneakers, or flip flops. Kids were dressed the same as counselors; counselors were dressed the same as kitchen staff; and office staff were dressed the same as the head counselors. You couldn't distinguish the kids whose parents had saved up for months to send their kids to camp from those who had spent the spare change of a week's pay.

Everyone here was truly equal. While the campers and American counselors recited the Pledge of Allegiance on the opening day, the international staff looked on in silence. Different faiths and different cultures were respected and tolerated. Coming from Northern Ireland this was not only a novelty but something that impressed me. People of all faiths were observing Jewish culture with respect, while back home in Northern Ireland Christians struggle to tolerate the cultures of other Christians.

Camp was about the basics. Mobile phones were banned; Internet access was limited — even electric fans were banned (as kids didn't have their own personal fans in the interest of fairness, counselors couldn't either). A strong emphasis was put on keeping camp tidy. If you saw litter on the ground, you picked it up and put it in the bin. Kids were banned from watching television except for special "movie nights." The surprising thing was that the kids didn't seem to miss it. Bringing down the veil of technology led to more open conversation between friends, better networking, and unlikely friendships.

During rest periods, I was amazed to see the main campus was absolutely heaving with games of stickball, basketball, tennis, or catch. Older kids played with younger kids; brothers played together; twenty-one-year-olds challenged eight-year-olds to games of chess . . . and lost. Kids were able to play outside in a safe environment the way they used to. Today, with so many concerns about crime, it's very hard for parents to let their kids go outside to play after breakfast and for them to return after dinner. But, at camp kids are safe.

Everybody knows and trusts each other. At camp there are no locks on the doors. Kids and counselors leave iPods®, PSPs, books, and toys in their empty bunks all day and know those things will still be there, exactly where they were left.

It is this sense of community that made me fall in love with camp. At camp, you eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner together in your division, otherwise known as your family for two months. Camp meal times are a place for conversation, joking around, dares, games, and occasionally songs. Campers and staff feel completely relaxed, and there is no shame in doing embarrassing things for other people's entertainment.

So what can the world learn from camp? In short, to let kids be kids. We should be sending children to camp, allowing kids to get the exercise and the fresh air that is so vital to growing up. Camp allows children to spend time with their friends and develop the social skills that are so vital, instead of sitting inside in front of a television set. Adults can also learn that work doesn't have to be work, it can also be fun. Camp taught me that even though modern technology has opened up so many opportunities for us it can also trap us.

Anyone who has worked at a camp will agree that you won't understand camp without trying it. Without trying it I wouldn't have learned as much as I have.


Matthew Carroll is twenty-three-years-old and is originally from Coleraine, Northern Ireland. He is a graduate of Queen's University Belfast with a degree in French and German. He has previously worked and studied in France, Germany, and the USA. He most recently worked as a division leader at Camp Scatico in Elizaville, New York.