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
Showing posts with label kanata culture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kanata culture. Show all posts
Friday, July 10, 2009
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
Thursday, April 16, 2009
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
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
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