Greetings for the mile high city of Denver, Colorado!
As some of you already know, I'm spending part of this week at the ACA (American Camp Association) National Conference in Denver, Colorado. I've always enjoyed camp conferences, just as much for the networking as for the learning.
As someone that spends quite a bit of time travelling around the country, I always look for ideas to take back home with me. I think that's one of my favorite things about camp conferences...where else can you gather with 1,000 other camp directors to share ideas about the wonderful experience of summer camp? To be totally honest, it is through these collaborations that we're able to bring new and exciting ideas to Camp Kanata each year.
So, you may be asking yourself, "Just what ideas has Forrest picked up in Denver?" Well, it would spoil the surprise if I told you right now! But rest easy, we will always try to bring new ideas to camp each summer while hanging onto the traditions that help define our culture.
So, my question to you is this. For those of you that grew up at Camp Kanata, what made it special for you? And, more importantly, what can we do to enhance that experience? I'm always open to hearing suggestions, and you can feel free to send them directly to me at forrest.perry@campkanata.org It could be a cool new game, a wacky new song, or a new activity that you learned from your friends.
I look forward to hearing your ideas. And more importantly, I look forward to seeing you this summer!
In the Kanata spirit,
Forrest Perry
Executive Director, Camp Kanata
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
From the Director's Desk
To the Camp Kanata Family,
Hi there! As many of you know, I took over as the director of Camp Kanata this past September. I can’t begin to tell you just how excited I am by this opportunity! As someone that grew up at Camp Kanata, I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be. Beginning in 1989, I spent a total of 12 summers here as a camper, staff trainee, and staff member. After several years away, I truly do consider it a blessing to have the opportunity to serve as the director of Camp Kanata.
I don’t want to take too much of your time, but I did want to share a few bits of information with you. First, I want you to know that you have my utmost commitment to continue building on the great history of Camp Kanata. I have challenged our team to focus on making every aspect of camp the best that it can be, and while I know we will continuously be raising the bar, we are committed to providing the best possible experience for our campers and their families. Secondly, I wanted to let you know that as we are working to improve the Camp Kanata facility (yes, the rumor of a new water slide is true!), many of the traditions that have made Camp Kanata special for you and your child will still be here this summer…singing in the dining hall, devotions, games of Capture the Flag, The Blob…they’re still a part of the Camp Kanata culture!
While there will be some slight changes for the upcoming summer, my main focus is to strengthen the quality of the relationships that our campers have with each other and with their counselors. If anything, I hope that we will be adding quality elements to the camp experience for our campers and their families. Also, I wanted to remind all of you that our registration process is well underway. Registrations are coming in every day, and we do anticipate being at capacity this year. If anything has happened in the past that would give you hesitation about registering for the upcoming summer, please know that I’d enjoy the opportunity of hearing your concerns.
Finally, I wanted to extend the opportunity for you to reach out and share your comments, ideas, and thoughts with me as we prepare for the upcoming summer. Many of you have already emailed or called to share great stories, memories, and hopes for the future. Whether you’re a camper, the parent of a camper, a staff member, an alumnus, or a friend of Camp Kanata, I want to encourage you to share your feedback with me. I truly do enjoy speaking with our campers, parents, and alumni about what makes Camp Kanata special to them. You can reach me by phone at 919-556-2661, or you can email me at Forrest.Perry@campkanata.org. Thanks so much for your time. I look forward to seeing you this summer!
In the Kanata spirit,
Forrest Perry
Executive Director, Camp Kanata
Hi there! As many of you know, I took over as the director of Camp Kanata this past September. I can’t begin to tell you just how excited I am by this opportunity! As someone that grew up at Camp Kanata, I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be. Beginning in 1989, I spent a total of 12 summers here as a camper, staff trainee, and staff member. After several years away, I truly do consider it a blessing to have the opportunity to serve as the director of Camp Kanata.
I don’t want to take too much of your time, but I did want to share a few bits of information with you. First, I want you to know that you have my utmost commitment to continue building on the great history of Camp Kanata. I have challenged our team to focus on making every aspect of camp the best that it can be, and while I know we will continuously be raising the bar, we are committed to providing the best possible experience for our campers and their families. Secondly, I wanted to let you know that as we are working to improve the Camp Kanata facility (yes, the rumor of a new water slide is true!), many of the traditions that have made Camp Kanata special for you and your child will still be here this summer…singing in the dining hall, devotions, games of Capture the Flag, The Blob…they’re still a part of the Camp Kanata culture!
While there will be some slight changes for the upcoming summer, my main focus is to strengthen the quality of the relationships that our campers have with each other and with their counselors. If anything, I hope that we will be adding quality elements to the camp experience for our campers and their families. Also, I wanted to remind all of you that our registration process is well underway. Registrations are coming in every day, and we do anticipate being at capacity this year. If anything has happened in the past that would give you hesitation about registering for the upcoming summer, please know that I’d enjoy the opportunity of hearing your concerns.
Finally, I wanted to extend the opportunity for you to reach out and share your comments, ideas, and thoughts with me as we prepare for the upcoming summer. Many of you have already emailed or called to share great stories, memories, and hopes for the future. Whether you’re a camper, the parent of a camper, a staff member, an alumnus, or a friend of Camp Kanata, I want to encourage you to share your feedback with me. I truly do enjoy speaking with our campers, parents, and alumni about what makes Camp Kanata special to them. You can reach me by phone at 919-556-2661, or you can email me at Forrest.Perry@campkanata.org. Thanks so much for your time. I look forward to seeing you this summer!
In the Kanata spirit,
Forrest Perry
Executive Director, Camp Kanata
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Kanata Roadrace for Sept. 26 cancelled
A new date will be announced at a later time. The open house also scheduled for Sept. 26 is still on.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Upcoming Events on Saturday, September 26, 2009
Please join us at Camp Kanata on Saturday, September 26 for these two events:
6th Annual Matthew Paul West Foundation Roadrace
Registration 7:30 - 8:45 a.m.
Race starts at 9:30 a.m.
Proceeds provide camper scholarships at Kanata.
Come on out and support a great cause!
http://www.setupevents.com/?fuseaction=event_detail&eventID=1120 (click to register online)
Kanata Open House
noon - 4:00 p.m.
Free; no registration necessary.
Please bring a picnic lunch.
Actvities include: Canoeing, archery, riflery, nature hikes.
We hope to see you there! Tell your friends!
6th Annual Matthew Paul West Foundation Roadrace
Registration 7:30 - 8:45 a.m.
Race starts at 9:30 a.m.
Proceeds provide camper scholarships at Kanata.
Come on out and support a great cause!
http://www.setupevents.com/?fuseaction=event_detail&eventID=1120 (click to register online)
Kanata Open House
noon - 4:00 p.m.
Free; no registration necessary.
Please bring a picnic lunch.
Actvities include: Canoeing, archery, riflery, nature hikes.
We hope to see you there! Tell your friends!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Registration for 2010
Some of you have been asking when registration for 2010 will begin . . . keep an eye on our website (www.campkanata.org) in late September--details will be available then. Registration will officially begin in October. This year we will start day camp registration in October as well. We will also email the information to anyone who is on our email list. If you are not already receiving emails from Kanata and would like to, please go to our website and click the link to sign up for emails.
We also offer Mini Camps (weekend overnight camp) at various times between December and April. In May we will offer a Family Camp Weekend. Details for all these events will be on our website as they are available.
It has been a great summer at Camp Kanata! We hope you had a great one as well and we wish you the best for a great school year! Thank you so much for sharing your children with Camp Kanata--we look forward to seeing you again next summer, if not before!
We also offer Mini Camps (weekend overnight camp) at various times between December and April. In May we will offer a Family Camp Weekend. Details for all these events will be on our website as they are available.
It has been a great summer at Camp Kanata! We hope you had a great one as well and we wish you the best for a great school year! Thank you so much for sharing your children with Camp Kanata--we look forward to seeing you again next summer, if not before!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Camp helps us remember the simple things.
So last night our evening program was an outside event and about 15 minutes into the activity it began to rain a little. Some of our staff started to radio in to ask what we were going to do if it continued to rain. Since there was no lightning or thunder I decided lets just "ride it out" and enjoy the rain. What started out as a sprinkle turned into a downpour that lasted for the next 30 minutes. By the end of the evening everyone was soaking wet, some were a little muddy but most importantly everyone was happy and laughing.
I often wonder at what point in our life do we decide that it is not okay to stand outside in the rain? As a almost 40 year old I have to tell you that it is still fun to play in the rain! Next time it starts to rain go outside and enjoy it. Also, forget the rain coat, its more fun without one.
Hope you are having a great summer and we look forward to seeing you soon at Camp Kanata.
Your Camp Director,
Dave
I often wonder at what point in our life do we decide that it is not okay to stand outside in the rain? As a almost 40 year old I have to tell you that it is still fun to play in the rain! Next time it starts to rain go outside and enjoy it. Also, forget the rain coat, its more fun without one.
Hope you are having a great summer and we look forward to seeing you soon at Camp Kanata.
Your Camp Director,
Dave
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Keys to a successful camp = Keys to a successful life
Summer is for being outside- running, jumping, swinging, skipping, dancing, swimming - you get the idea. Summer is also the time for blogging (it is hard to blog when running, jumping or swimming) and so I sometimes find it hard to sit down at my desk to make time to write about what we have been doing this summer. I thought I would write about some things that make camp special and then maybe you can transfer them into your daily life a little.
Your Camp Director,
Dave
- Start everyday with dancing and music When we leave the dining hall every morning we have music playing and there is a great energy to start the day. What a great opportunity every day brings; we should take full advantage to meet new people and try new things.
- Work on skill development At our activities throughout the day our campers get the opportunity to develop lifelong skills and master various activities. Work on something new today. Get better. Master a skill.
- Take time to rest and reflect We always take a rest period at camp! We can change a lot of things but we never change our rest period. It is good for you to sit down everyday and rest or reflect. Don't forget to take time to take care of yourself.
- Eat your vegetables We encourage our campers and staff to try everything that is served at a meal. Its a good habit to get into and you never know, you might like it. We need to eat healthier and it starts with our fruits and vegetables.
- Spend time outdoors Take time for yourself or with your family to spend intentional time outdoors with nature. Listen and observe what is going on around you.
- Spend time with positive people Everyday at camp we are surrounded by positive people that love life and enjoy sharing this "positivity" with others. Make sure to find positive friends that build you up and don't drain you of your joy for life.
Your Camp Director,
Dave
Friday, July 17, 2009
Change is a good thing...
I began my career at Camp Kanata in 2003 as the Lake Chief and since that first summer I have held the position of associate director, resident camp director and executive director of Camp Kanata. Over the past 7 years I have made some incredible friendships and watched Kanata go through some exciting growing pains as we made staffing changes, facility changes and programmatic changes.
In May of this year I began having conversations with the YMCA of Greater Charlotte for the position of Director of Association Programs. This position has oversight and direction for resident camp, day camp and Y-Guide and Princess programs of the Charlotte YMCA. With a little sadness and much excitement I accepted this position and will begin my new role in Charlotte beginning September 1, 2009.
Okay, enough about me, what I am really excited about is introducing you to the new director of Camp Kanata, Forrest Perry! Forrest began his connection with Camp Kanata as an 11 year old in cabin 10 twenty years ago. He went on to spend 12 summers at Kanata as a camper, staff trainee, staff member and ad-staff member. After leaving Kanata he worked for YMCA's in St. Paul, IN; Chapel Hill, NC and Raleigh, NC. He presently holds the position of Director of Collegiate Programs for the YMCA of the Triangle.
Forrest will spend the rest of the summer getting to know our staff, campers, parents and programs and will begin full time work as the director on Sept. 1, 2009. I could not be more excited about the next leader of Kanata. I love this place and will forever remember my time here, but I know that Forrest and the team at Kanata will make this place better than I ever could.
Please join me in welcoming Forrest (back) to the the Kanata family and we look forward to seeing you this summer.
Your Camp Director,
Dave Bell
In May of this year I began having conversations with the YMCA of Greater Charlotte for the position of Director of Association Programs. This position has oversight and direction for resident camp, day camp and Y-Guide and Princess programs of the Charlotte YMCA. With a little sadness and much excitement I accepted this position and will begin my new role in Charlotte beginning September 1, 2009.
Okay, enough about me, what I am really excited about is introducing you to the new director of Camp Kanata, Forrest Perry! Forrest began his connection with Camp Kanata as an 11 year old in cabin 10 twenty years ago. He went on to spend 12 summers at Kanata as a camper, staff trainee, staff member and ad-staff member. After leaving Kanata he worked for YMCA's in St. Paul, IN; Chapel Hill, NC and Raleigh, NC. He presently holds the position of Director of Collegiate Programs for the YMCA of the Triangle.
Forrest will spend the rest of the summer getting to know our staff, campers, parents and programs and will begin full time work as the director on Sept. 1, 2009. I could not be more excited about the next leader of Kanata. I love this place and will forever remember my time here, but I know that Forrest and the team at Kanata will make this place better than I ever could.
Please join me in welcoming Forrest (back) to the the Kanata family and we look forward to seeing you this summer.
Your Camp Director,
Dave Bell
Friday, July 10, 2009
Just about halfway there...
Next Wednesday will mark the half-way point of the summer for us out here at Camp Kanata. As Dave posted last time, we've done a lot in a short amount of time. Just today I played soccer, ultimate frisbee, and volleyball with campers and some of my fellow administrative staff members. We did not do very well with soccer (4-0) but we played well in ultimate frisbee and forced a 3rd game with the advanced volleyball class. Needless to say I slept well at rest period!
I've been really impressed with our staff this year. Though we have great counselors every year, this year's group seemed to "get" camp much faster, has taken on new challenges and given new life to some of the things we've always done. It's been rewarding to watch the good stuff unfold and to know that I had a very large part in bringing them together this summer.
"Getting" camp makes me think of a blog post I read by Seth Godin. Seth's blog isn't geared toward camps--he's interested in marketing and ideas--but occasionally I find an insight that helps me articulate something I've been struggling with. This post was about the "fan chasm" and how businesses, organizations, and brands can create an easily accessible and deep experience for their customers. Those of you who understand what Camp is are nodding your heads and saying "Yep, that sounds just like camp." In just a short week our kids are able to tap into a deep well of experiences and friendships that take many people decades to create. Our staff feel it even more after spending 8-10 weeks out here living and working with each other.
So, with the summer almost halfway through, I hope you'll take us up on our invitation to come visit real soon. We're having an alumni campfire Friday, July 24th and I'm hoping to see a lot of familiar and long-missed faces pulling through the gate that evening.
Have a great weekend and we'll see you real soon!
Ryan
I've been really impressed with our staff this year. Though we have great counselors every year, this year's group seemed to "get" camp much faster, has taken on new challenges and given new life to some of the things we've always done. It's been rewarding to watch the good stuff unfold and to know that I had a very large part in bringing them together this summer.
"Getting" camp makes me think of a blog post I read by Seth Godin. Seth's blog isn't geared toward camps--he's interested in marketing and ideas--but occasionally I find an insight that helps me articulate something I've been struggling with. This post was about the "fan chasm" and how businesses, organizations, and brands can create an easily accessible and deep experience for their customers. Those of you who understand what Camp is are nodding your heads and saying "Yep, that sounds just like camp." In just a short week our kids are able to tap into a deep well of experiences and friendships that take many people decades to create. Our staff feel it even more after spending 8-10 weeks out here living and working with each other.
So, with the summer almost halfway through, I hope you'll take us up on our invitation to come visit real soon. We're having an alumni campfire Friday, July 24th and I'm hoping to see a lot of familiar and long-missed faces pulling through the gate that evening.
Have a great weekend and we'll see you real soon!
Ryan
Monday, July 6, 2009
How have you been spending your summer?
So far this summer I have:
Hope you are having a great summer and look forward to seeing you at camp soon.
Your Camp Director,
Dave
- listened to "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns N' Roses 18 times
- eaten 6 hotdogs at Thursday night cookout
- watched 24 separate campfire skits
- sang "bottle pop" three times
- been in the lake zero times
- been in the pool 8 times
- walked approximately 35 miles around camp
- lost in soccer 2 times to teams of campers
- been awake by 6:15 a.m. everyday and not asleep before 11:00 p.m. everyday
- been in a canoe 1 time
- taken 50 pictures
- cheered till I was hoarse 3 times
- updated our twitter page about 100 times
- eaten some type of "chicken product" for a meal 14 times
- taken 5 showers (but i was in the pool 8 times which equals clean)
- spent the day with some of my best friends in the entire world (camp staff)
- saluted the American flag at flag raising and lowering 31 times
- drank 112 cups of coffee
Hope you are having a great summer and look forward to seeing you at camp soon.
Your Camp Director,
Dave
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Using Social Media to Connect to Camp
So this year we have put a great deal of effort into using social media to help connect to participants, parents, alumni and volunteers. We started using Twitter (www.twitter.com/campkanata) this summer as a way to stay connected to parents during the week. It is a micro blogging site that lets us put updates (less than 140 characters) and pictures so people can see and hear what is happening at camp.
Sometimes new technology can be scary to work with, but we looked at it as a great opportunity to use this technology to let parents know what their children are doing at camp. We hope you like the service (its free) and maybe you will become addicted to it like me and start finding other people to follow.
Just so you know we are are having a great time at camp and hope to see you soon.
Your Camp Director,
Dave
Sometimes new technology can be scary to work with, but we looked at it as a great opportunity to use this technology to let parents know what their children are doing at camp. We hope you like the service (its free) and maybe you will become addicted to it like me and start finding other people to follow.
Just so you know we are are having a great time at camp and hope to see you soon.
Your Camp Director,
Dave
Thursday, June 18, 2009
If you haven't been here in a while...
We have a few new additions here at camp. Check 'em out!
Full Court Basketball -- With adjustable goals!
Sand Volleyball!
New Stage on our New Field!
If you haven't been here in a while...come and see us!
Full Court Basketball -- With adjustable goals!
Sand Volleyball!
New Stage on our New Field!
If you haven't been here in a while...come and see us!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Summer 2009 has officially begun!
So we got off to a great start yesterday for the 2009 summer season at Kanata. The first cars started lining up around 11:30 a.m. for a 2:00 p.m. check in. Luckily families were prepared to take part in our first ever "Tailgate Check In". We had live music provided by the "Dancing Elephants", families brought picnic lunches, some grilled out, families were hiking around the lake and playing basketball and volleyball at the new program center near the pool.
I could spend a great amount of time going through every activity, but I think the main thing to know is that we (campers and staff) are having a great time and are so thankful that the summer finally arrived. We will spend the next week making friends, learning new skills, becoming better citizens, singing crazy songs, laughing at skits and getting a chance to meet "Captain KP" in the dining hall. Don't worry about us and we will see you on Saturday!
Your Camp Director,
Dave
I could spend a great amount of time going through every activity, but I think the main thing to know is that we (campers and staff) are having a great time and are so thankful that the summer finally arrived. We will spend the next week making friends, learning new skills, becoming better citizens, singing crazy songs, laughing at skits and getting a chance to meet "Captain KP" in the dining hall. Don't worry about us and we will see you on Saturday!
Your Camp Director,
Dave
Friday, June 12, 2009
The Tradition Continues
Greetings once again from the best place on earth!
Our week of staff training is coming to a close and it will be nice to relax a bit and rest up before the staff come back and the kids arrive on Sunday. This week I've had the pleasure of watching the staff get to know one another and connect to form the Spartan, Daisy, Ranger, Butterfly, Knight and Angel units. I've gotten to meet and get to know counselors from Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Israel and Ethiopia. I've been able to reconnect with old friends and create new friendships as the weeks gone on.
Staff week would have been much less without the wonderful contributions of Jim Cain. His opening games and exercises and the challenges he gave our staff will make a lasting impression on this summer and many summers to come. If you get to play "WAH!" this summer you have Jim to thank.
As I was getting ready to leave today, I happened to check my Facebook messages and this is what I found:
Ryan-
Every time I read your status and see it's about camp/staff week I get a knot in my stomach. Those are the most precious days and I hope you bask and soak in them for every second they last. I just told Abby Hoover [one of our staff this summer] that every year when the girls get together for a Daisy Reunion we all agree camp days are the most golden of our memories. Through graduations, boyfriends, marriages and children and all of the things that make life grand, camp is definitely at the top. So when it's hot and the kids are whiny and you're too tired because you chose to chat with friends instead of go to sleep, just remember: These days are golden and nothing will ever replace them in your heart. Even the sticky, pouty days are better than most when you're in the real world.
I hope you have the most delightful summer ever. I hope staff week and all of the following weeks flow smooth like a river. And remember, there are decades of people who love you and wish they could be out there with you. Good Luck and do your best everyday!!
Much, much love,
Rikki
It was an honor to respond to Rikki, who I remember as a counselor and head female counselor from my days as a camper. When I'm in the moment and running around trying to make sure that trainings and work detail are going well, it's easy to forget the legacy and tradition I get to carry on as a member of the Kanata staff team. As I told Rikki in my response, I am truly honored to continue the tradition this summer.
As I begin my 15th summer here at Kanata I wish you the best. May you have time to relax, reconnect with old friends and make some new ones. May you have time to slow down and enjoy the heat by the lake or the pool. May you be refreshed and renewed over the weeks to come. I hope that you get a chance to visit this summer. There's always space in the dining hall!
See you real soon!
Much, much love,
Ryan
Our week of staff training is coming to a close and it will be nice to relax a bit and rest up before the staff come back and the kids arrive on Sunday. This week I've had the pleasure of watching the staff get to know one another and connect to form the Spartan, Daisy, Ranger, Butterfly, Knight and Angel units. I've gotten to meet and get to know counselors from Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Israel and Ethiopia. I've been able to reconnect with old friends and create new friendships as the weeks gone on.
Staff week would have been much less without the wonderful contributions of Jim Cain. His opening games and exercises and the challenges he gave our staff will make a lasting impression on this summer and many summers to come. If you get to play "WAH!" this summer you have Jim to thank.
As I was getting ready to leave today, I happened to check my Facebook messages and this is what I found:
Ryan-
Every time I read your status and see it's about camp/staff week I get a knot in my stomach. Those are the most precious days and I hope you bask and soak in them for every second they last. I just told Abby Hoover [one of our staff this summer] that every year when the girls get together for a Daisy Reunion we all agree camp days are the most golden of our memories. Through graduations, boyfriends, marriages and children and all of the things that make life grand, camp is definitely at the top. So when it's hot and the kids are whiny and you're too tired because you chose to chat with friends instead of go to sleep, just remember: These days are golden and nothing will ever replace them in your heart. Even the sticky, pouty days are better than most when you're in the real world.
I hope you have the most delightful summer ever. I hope staff week and all of the following weeks flow smooth like a river. And remember, there are decades of people who love you and wish they could be out there with you. Good Luck and do your best everyday!!
Much, much love,
Rikki
It was an honor to respond to Rikki, who I remember as a counselor and head female counselor from my days as a camper. When I'm in the moment and running around trying to make sure that trainings and work detail are going well, it's easy to forget the legacy and tradition I get to carry on as a member of the Kanata staff team. As I told Rikki in my response, I am truly honored to continue the tradition this summer.
As I begin my 15th summer here at Kanata I wish you the best. May you have time to relax, reconnect with old friends and make some new ones. May you have time to slow down and enjoy the heat by the lake or the pool. May you be refreshed and renewed over the weeks to come. I hope that you get a chance to visit this summer. There's always space in the dining hall!
See you real soon!
Much, much love,
Ryan
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Staff Week @ Camp Kanata
So I have been part of the Kanata staff since 2003 and during this time I have gone through 7 staff weeks. It is very similar every year, the old staff show up on day one of staff training and they are hugging anyone in sight and yelling about how excited they are to be back at camp. The new staff walk in not exactly sure of what they have signed up for, but are eager to "fit in" and be part of what seems like a great place to work.
What is magical about staff week at Kanata, and I'm sure at similar camps across the country, is that we are able to transfer the culture of camp in only one weeks time. We cover daily schedule, first aid, songs, emergency action plans, cheers, discipline, age group characteristics, activity time, devotions, but the most important thing we cover during staff week is Kanata culture. We talk on a daily basis about what it means to be part of camp, how the most important thing we deliver at camp is friendship building. We talk about how we connect with the parents on check in day and make sure that we connect with that camper and then make a point to teaching him or her how to make friends with someone else in the cabin.
I know that corporations and businesses across the country pay large sums of money for consultants to come in and tell them how to fix the culture, but all they need to do is spend one week at Kanata staff week. They would then understand what it means to dig down to what is the most important thing at camp (the people) and then spend as much time as possible focusing on that.
We hire great people, but then we go the extra mile to invest in them and give them the tools necessary to deliver the best camp experience for the child, the family and the fellow staff members. We are excited that the campers will arrive on Sunday and can't wait to start sharing our "Kanata culture" with the campers and their families!
See you this summer.
Your Camp Director,
Dave
What is magical about staff week at Kanata, and I'm sure at similar camps across the country, is that we are able to transfer the culture of camp in only one weeks time. We cover daily schedule, first aid, songs, emergency action plans, cheers, discipline, age group characteristics, activity time, devotions, but the most important thing we cover during staff week is Kanata culture. We talk on a daily basis about what it means to be part of camp, how the most important thing we deliver at camp is friendship building. We talk about how we connect with the parents on check in day and make sure that we connect with that camper and then make a point to teaching him or her how to make friends with someone else in the cabin.
I know that corporations and businesses across the country pay large sums of money for consultants to come in and tell them how to fix the culture, but all they need to do is spend one week at Kanata staff week. They would then understand what it means to dig down to what is the most important thing at camp (the people) and then spend as much time as possible focusing on that.
We hire great people, but then we go the extra mile to invest in them and give them the tools necessary to deliver the best camp experience for the child, the family and the fellow staff members. We are excited that the campers will arrive on Sunday and can't wait to start sharing our "Kanata culture" with the campers and their families!
See you this summer.
Your Camp Director,
Dave
Friday, June 5, 2009
Everything I Learned In Life, I Learned At Summer Camp...
My life has changed pretty drastically in the past couple of weeks. I had to pack up and move to Kanata, I now eat the majority of my meals in the dining hall, and I have spent the past week spending the majority of each day with the Kanata Ad Staff. For most people, that would be a lot of changes to get used to in such a small span of time. However, for me, all of these changes just mean that I am that much closer to the beginning of summer at Camp. I am so excited for campers to arrive and for the fun to begin!
I recently found this article and I thought it was appropriate. I think the lines that are the most appropriate are, "...Camp people find comfort in knowing that throughout the whole year, no matter what goes wrong, everything will be ok once you get to camp. Camp people know that when you look your worst, it means you've done your best. But above all, camp people know that regardless if you've spent one summer at camp or fifty, a part of you will be changed forever." I hope for those of you that consider yourself "camp people," or for those of you that will soon be joining me at Camp Kanata, that rings just as true for you as it does for me.
I hope you enjoy the rest of the article and I can't wait to share my summer with you! I hope to see you all at Camp this summer!
I recently found this article and I thought it was appropriate. I think the lines that are the most appropriate are, "...Camp people find comfort in knowing that throughout the whole year, no matter what goes wrong, everything will be ok once you get to camp. Camp people know that when you look your worst, it means you've done your best. But above all, camp people know that regardless if you've spent one summer at camp or fifty, a part of you will be changed forever." I hope for those of you that consider yourself "camp people," or for those of you that will soon be joining me at Camp Kanata, that rings just as true for you as it does for me.
I hope you enjoy the rest of the article and I can't wait to share my summer with you! I hope to see you all at Camp this summer!
Everything I Learned in Life, I Learned From Camp
I've done the math. So far, over the course of my life I have spent 3,150 days in a classroom learning. I've dissected frogs, read Shakespeare, memorized the first five lines in the constitution, and studied my times tables. But if you ask me what I've really learned from my twenty years of life so far, I'd answer you with the following: ketchup could be classified as its own food group, Kings is as competitive a sport as football, and "rock-paper-scissors" is the greatest form of diplomatic resolution.
This coming summer will be my eighteenth "camp" summer. While most of my friends will be working at the mall, taking stubs at the local movie theater, or selling hot dogs at the beach, I will find myself working eleven, twelve, or sometimes thirteen-hour days making sure that "Carnival Day" is run without a glitch, "Color-War" is as memorable for the winning team as it is for the team that comes in last, and that the "Bus Decorating" contest is judged fairly.
The only thing more amazing than how much of an impact camp has had on my life, is that it took me eighteen years to figure that out! It was not until my second summer as a counselor that my director made me realize that I wanted to turn my thirty-nine-day summer experiences into a life long career. But why would I want it any other way? I've been in and seen Broadway comparable productions of Grease and Peter Pan, learned how to hit homeruns like Babe Ruth, and soared through the woods like Tarzan. I've performed as many songs as the Beatles in front of hundreds of people, learned to build a fire in the pouring rain, and made enough lanyard key-chains to get myself into the Guinness Book of World Records. Not too many people I know have accomplished as much in their lifetimes as I have in eighteen summers.
As marvelous as I consider my accomplishments to be, there's one problem with it all. Trying to explain your camp life to an "outsider" is harder than trying to reason with a two-year-old. The truth is people who never went to summer camp simply cannot appreciate how grand it really is. There are some people for whom camp becomes a life-line. It gets into their blood, seeps into their cells, and refuses to leave. These people get misty-eyed whenever they smell campfire smoke in the air. They take a certain pride in their voices being hoarse and in not having showered for four days. Ketchup stains on T-shirts are considered battle scars, instead of just dirt.
Camp people know that being able to drink bug juice without getting a bright red mustache is a right of passage. No matter how many years have passed, a camp person can still remember the exact words the camp director said to them when they were chosen to lead a Color War team. Camp people love construction paper and puff paint, lanyard, and scrap books. To a camp person, Homerun Derby, Four Square, and Kings are not games, they're a way of life. Camp people get hungry, not for lavish meals, but for under-cooked hamburgers and burnt hotdogs cooked over a ten-year-old charcoal grill in the pouring rain. In the winter, they dream not of a sunny beach and the scent of coconut oil, but of chilly July mornings with dew drained grass. Camp people know all the words to "The Littlest Worm" and know that the worm will always wind up in the same person's bed. Camp people have back-up plans for rainy days, even though it never rains. Camp people are comforted by the sound of a child running the bases, the sight of a child climbing the rock-wall, and the smell of the locker rooms.
Camp people understand that school is ten months out of the year in order to make the two months spent at camp more special. Camp people know that hitting a bull's-eye in archery is properly done in silence but must be while surrounded with a group of friends. Camp people usually can't remember what they're laughing about anymore by the time they finally stop. Camp people know that life is just easier when you shout, "YES!!! I made a mistake!" Camp people know the contentment of everyone in sight wearing the same staff shirt. Camp people find comfort in knowing that throughout the whole year, no matter what goes wrong, everything will be ok once you get to camp. Camp people know that when you look your worst, it means you've done your best. But above all, camp people know that regardless if you've spent one summer at camp or fifty, a part of you will be changed forever.
Eighteen months stand between me graduating and hopefully working at a camp full time. Who knows how many more term papers, finals, and presentations I have ahead of me. I can't tell you how many more "all-nighters" I'll have to pull or how many more cups of coffee I'll buy at the library. But, I know this: twenty years from now when I am a camp director, my recollection of Freud's impact on psychopathology will be minimal to say the least, and I probably won't be able to recite the first five lines of the constitution, but if you ask me why I return to camp, summer after summer, year after year, I'll simply smile and say, "Everything I learned in life, I learned from camp!"
Originally published in the 2006 July/August issue of Camping Magazine.
Family Camp rocks at Camp Kanata
So this past weekend I had the great privilege to spend the weekend at Camp Kanata. I had just come off of a week long tent camping trip with my wife on the Outerbanks of North Carolina, but I was excited about meeting some great families.
We assigned a "Kanata Host" to every family so they would have someone to eat dinner with, ask questions and just have a friendly face around if they ever needed some ideas on what to do next. On the first night at dinner I happened to sit down with the McGee family. I got to meet John (dad), Taylor (8 year old Kanata camper) and Cole (5 year old first timer). It was great to talk with them about what they wanted to do over the course of the weekend and I realized quickly they would not be getting much sleep the first night.
Over the course of the weekend I got to observe families trying out the "Giant Swing" for the first time, parents getting in a canoe with their child, kids hitting a bullseye at archery, a large group taking a hike around the lake and even time for making animal tracks on the dining hall porch.
At the closing lunch I was sitting across from Cole McGee (age 5) and as we were sitting there he looked up at his dad and said, "Dad, I don't ever want to leave Camp Kanata!" I couldn't ask for a better endorsement of a camp experience. We are having family camp again next year and you and your family need to be here with us. What a great way to spend a weekend!
See you this summer.
Your Camp Director,
Dave
We assigned a "Kanata Host" to every family so they would have someone to eat dinner with, ask questions and just have a friendly face around if they ever needed some ideas on what to do next. On the first night at dinner I happened to sit down with the McGee family. I got to meet John (dad), Taylor (8 year old Kanata camper) and Cole (5 year old first timer). It was great to talk with them about what they wanted to do over the course of the weekend and I realized quickly they would not be getting much sleep the first night.
Over the course of the weekend I got to observe families trying out the "Giant Swing" for the first time, parents getting in a canoe with their child, kids hitting a bullseye at archery, a large group taking a hike around the lake and even time for making animal tracks on the dining hall porch.
At the closing lunch I was sitting across from Cole McGee (age 5) and as we were sitting there he looked up at his dad and said, "Dad, I don't ever want to leave Camp Kanata!" I couldn't ask for a better endorsement of a camp experience. We are having family camp again next year and you and your family need to be here with us. What a great way to spend a weekend!
See you this summer.
Your Camp Director,
Dave
Monday, May 18, 2009
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
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
Thursday, May 14, 2009
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
