Third Place...

My wife and I were in the Five Points section of Raleigh last week eating dinner at Lilly's Pizza when she noticed the place beside us was called Third Place. I commented that it was a good name for a restaurant because many people are looking for that third place to find connections in their life. For most people it goes something like this: home, work, church or home, work, civic club or home, work, school.

I began to think about how Kanata is a "third place" for many children in the area. They have their home, they go to school, but that important third place of connection is Camp Kanata. Even though I work at Kanata year round there is something special about the summer season at Kanata. I make hundreds of new friends every year, whether it is campers or staff members and I also get the opportunity to reconnect with old friends from the past. I look forward to check in day so I can greet the parents and feel the energy as the campers are hurrying to get the first bunk in the cabin.

I know that the activities that we do at camp are important and fun, but the most important thing that takes place are the positive relationships that the campers build. I am glad that since 1954 Camp Kanata has been a positive place for kids - that "Third Place" of connection in their life.

We look forward to seeing you this summer at Camp Kanata.

Your Camp Director,

Dave

2009 Christian Leadership Conference

This weekend Kanata hosts the YMCA of the Triangle Area's annual Christian Leadership Conference (CLC). Over 260 YMCA staffers--counselors, leadership staff, directors--will arrive Friday evening for a weekend of learning and fun as we gear up for summer programs throughout the Triangle and the state. Workshops on devotions, health and well-being, games, creating "green" programs, and leadership will help to mentally prepare us for the summer while a messy activity Saturday will prepare us for the playful side of summer we all love. CLC happens in large part because of support from the C.J., Carrie D. and R. Howard Walker Foundation (www.christianleadershipconf.org) which provides materials and financial support to keep CLC affordable for programs and camps of all sizes.

I've had the opportunity to be on the planning committee for this conference for the past two years and it's great to be a part of something larger than myself. I think what I'm most excited about is the opportunity for fellow YMCA staff members to spend a weekend at Kanata. I'm excited that they will have the opportunity to relax, catch up with old friends and make new ones and I hope that our beautiful site gives them a chance to reflect before the hustle and bustle of the Summer takes over.

If you'll be out here this weekend for CLC make sure to stop by and say hello to me or anyone else on the Kanata team. If you're not lucky enough to be here this weekend, we look forward to seeing you soon! Summer's almost here and we can't wait for opening day!

See you soon!

Ryan Eves
Assistant Director

"Camp Kanata might be the best place ever"

That is a quote from a 7 year old camper of ours and I don't think I could have paid a marketing team to come up with a better slogan. I am a little partial to Kanata, but I am being honest when I say we do some cool things out here. Many people know that we do summer camp (Day and Overnight), but you might not know things we do outside of the traditional summer break.

It is a big step for a camper to come here and stay an entire week with us, especially if they aren't used to being away from home for that long. That is why we started doing weekend Mini-Camps. The campers arrive on Friday evening, stay all day Saturday and then leave on Sunday around lunch. Campers get a great taste of the camp experience without staying here all week. They get to try out the activities, the food, the bunks and the counselors.

Another cool thing we do is Family Camp. What better thing to do at camp then to come with your whole family! Canoeing with mom, the climbing tower with dad, archery with your sister, a nature hike around the lake with your brother and then a great evening campfire with the whole family. Our Family Camp is a weekend experience so you can leave work on Friday and be at Kanata for dinner and then spend the entire weekend experiencing the slowed down pace of Camp Kanata.

If you are ever looking for a great experience for you, your child or your family be sure to check out www.campkanata.org

Your Camp Director,

Dave

Kanata Alumni Are Everywhere!!

This past weekend my wife and I traveled to Bath, NC to attend a friends wedding. The day before the wedding the groom had a "boating with the boys" event and several men who were part of the wedding went for an afternoon of boating on the Pamlico River. There were a few boats out there in our group and after we dropped anchor one of the men noticed my Kanata t-shirt that I was wearing. He asked what my connection was and then went on to explain how his children went to camp many years ago and they had the best time. It was great to get a chance to talk with this man who has grown children, yet he still recognized the good work that takes place at Kanata every summer. It was a huge part of his childrens lives and he thanked me for the work that we do. At the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding a couple of people came up to me and asked if I was "Mr. Kanata". I said yes and they went on to explain how they had been campers at Kanata over 20 years ago. I asked them about their counselors, their cabin numbers and their favorite activities. It was great to hear that after 20+ years these ladies still had fond memories of Camp Kanata and the impact it had on their lives.

As my wife and I were driving home we started talking about the Kanata alumni we had met that weekend. Out of the 120 people who were at the wedding I talked to at least 10 people who had gone to camp as campers or were parents of campers. I always look for opportunities to wear my Kanata clothing because you never know who you will run into that has their own Kanata story. I am thankful I get to work at a place that has such a positive impact on people and I love to hear people tell their Kanata story. Next time you are here please take the time to share your story with us. What was your first cabin? Your favorite activity? Your favorite counselor? What did you learn at camp that you still use today? Tell us in person or send it to us in an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Your Camp Director,

Dave

We depend on you.

Did you know...


We have over 100 acres of property, over 25 buildings (most of which are over 50 years old), two lakes and miles of trails - all of which are maintained by one full-time and 2 part-time staff members! Not only do they manage the "upkeep" of each building - they are charged with improving all of our facilities! This is on top of prepping for and cleaning up after each group.
How do they do it? Volunteers.

In the past year, volunteers have contribute nearly 3000 hours of volunteer work! That is the equivalent of one staff person working 40hrs/week for 1.3 years!

We depend on volunteers.

Maybe you're part of a group that is looking to be giving back to the community. Maybe you're part of a group that should start giving back to the community. Maybe you have a skill that may help us at camp.

However you think you may like to get involved - consider this your invitation. We have projects for all different sizes and types of groups. We have projects that are simple and projects that are technical.

We want you to be part of our team.

All you have to do is let me know when you'd like to come, how many people you will be bringing and how long you will be here. We will take care of everything else.

I'm looking forward to seeing you at camp.

Zach Friesen
zach.friesen@ymcatriangle.org

Volunteer Day at Kanata

This past Saturday we had our annual Kanata volunteer day. I learned a couple of lessons after the day that I will share with you. First, May is a busy month for people and maybe not the best time to have a volunteer day. Second, a small group of people can get a lot done in a short amount of time.

We had 30 volunteers with us this past weekend and our Operations Director, Zach Friesen, had everything ready so when it was time to start we were ready to go! This group was able to finish some painting on the outside of the dining hall, paint the pump house and clear some underbrush near the day camp shelter and Pine Knoll Lodge (the Hilton). I think Zach sums it up best when he says "that we cannot survive without volunteers". That group of 30 people who worked for 4 hours was able to complete 120 total hours of work. It would have taken a full time staff member working 40 hours a week for 3 weeks straight to get the same amount of work done.

If you or a group you are a part of is interested in doing a service project at Kanata please give us a call (919.556.2661). It will feel good for you to give back and it will make a huge difference here at camp.

Look forward to seeing you this summer.

Your Camp Director,

Dave