The Summer of 2016
A blog post by Apollo
The more things change, the more they stay the same. This quote could be no more of a lie to how the 2016 summer at Camp Encounter played out. It was a new beginning across the board. With new staff came new mentalities, future goals and a new direction for camp. I’ve been asked (and offered) to write up a post outlining the crowning achievements, challenges and hopeful future from this summer.
Camp Encounter reliably created a balance for itself by maintaining an equilibrium with a similar staff over the course of 5 years and a continuous directorship for 3 of them. In fact, last summer, the program staff was 13 strong with only one new programmer joining the returning staff. This summer, with a staff of 13, only two staff returned and the rest were all new to the staff side of camp. In fact, the two directors, Wind as our Program Director and myself as the Assistant Director, were also entering our first years in our respective roles. Naturally there was a great deal to teach and to learn. Staff needed to learn how to be staff and the directors learned how to direct, for example, how to make schedules (and somehow lose them and have to restart – sigh). However, trading experience for youth comes with its perks. Our wonderful staff was determined to create a great summer experience for all who came out. They would actively seek out ways to make things more enjoyable for the campers and counselors. Their (seemingly) unlimited energy with the guidance of returning staff such as Macaroni and Stump created a great, loving and friendly environment.
No staff fell short on their duties. Argo and Minnow revitalized Rec programming for the crazy wild kids as much as for the silent ones. Panda and Macaroni were able to immerse the kids in their adventure programming with driven passions and dedication. Sparrow and Mallard were able to activate the full potential of the island by seemingly living on it. Without a doubt they worked on creating some new bold games for the island day! Stump and Peaches created an exemplary collection of Spirits Programming to bring children closer to both their faith and themselves, whether it be about Star Wars or self-love. Nimbus injected a new passion for crafts by driving children to create what they wanted using him as a guide to success. He also marked himself by being the first male craft programmer in a while (if ever!). Falcon was thrust into a brand new position, Dorms and Dishwasher supervisor. With a new position, he was able to craft a role that is crucial to camp and its success. He also found time to be with kids and was an absolutely encouraging figure to the staff. Along similar lines, I also plunged into a newer role. The Assistant Program Director was a position revived last summer and occupied by my good friend Sunshine. I anticipated a challenge but what I was met with was more of it than I could’ve anticipated. My role was propelled to a far more directorial role than I thought it would and I loved it. Lastly, Maple was able to take up what was to me, the most chaotic summer for the first aider in a while. She was able to gain children’s trust as much as she could put staff in their place when it came to sickness or injuries. Also, she was able to identify and effectively help camp avoid an impetigo outbreak. The staff this summer was an unforgettable and incredible bunch!
When Zebra announced she was leaving her position at the end of last summer, a hushed curiosity washed over camp. Who would be next? Who could fill those shoes? Would someone be able to? After many rumours, sure enough one person was selected for the position; Wind. Personally, I was surprised. I had no idea who she was but seemed like someone in charge did. However, after this summer (and fall by the time this comes out) I can say she is the right choice. Even though she was new to her position, she guided the staff effectively and with confidence over the summer. As her #2, it was impressive to see her handle what summer camp could throw at her!
Whether we were sanitizing camp post-impetigo or play a daunting wide game, this summer was full of surprises! But it also birthed new goals for our beloved camp. Whether it was Stump creating a wide game that pitched many teams against one and other and ended with a game of capture the flag, Nimbus helping create a new tipi door cover, Wind taking the initiative to create new environment programs using our property or my cataloguing of our storied past, camp is assuredly going somewhere. The passion to create new and great things at camp was present this summer. Not all projects were completed (Outdoor chapel) but some quietly achieved their place (New exciting wide games, staff that wants to create a legacy). I’ve no doubt that after this summer, the expectations placed on summer staff of 2017 will be incredible. But I know that they’ll pull through. Camp is home of the resilient, brave, slightly deranged few. But gosh darn if we aren’t the best community around. So thank you to all who made summer of 2016 what it was. There will never be another one like it. And I take comfort in that.
- André (Apollo) Prevost
A blog post by Apollo
The more things change, the more they stay the same. This quote could be no more of a lie to how the 2016 summer at Camp Encounter played out. It was a new beginning across the board. With new staff came new mentalities, future goals and a new direction for camp. I’ve been asked (and offered) to write up a post outlining the crowning achievements, challenges and hopeful future from this summer.
Camp Encounter reliably created a balance for itself by maintaining an equilibrium with a similar staff over the course of 5 years and a continuous directorship for 3 of them. In fact, last summer, the program staff was 13 strong with only one new programmer joining the returning staff. This summer, with a staff of 13, only two staff returned and the rest were all new to the staff side of camp. In fact, the two directors, Wind as our Program Director and myself as the Assistant Director, were also entering our first years in our respective roles. Naturally there was a great deal to teach and to learn. Staff needed to learn how to be staff and the directors learned how to direct, for example, how to make schedules (and somehow lose them and have to restart – sigh). However, trading experience for youth comes with its perks. Our wonderful staff was determined to create a great summer experience for all who came out. They would actively seek out ways to make things more enjoyable for the campers and counselors. Their (seemingly) unlimited energy with the guidance of returning staff such as Macaroni and Stump created a great, loving and friendly environment.
No staff fell short on their duties. Argo and Minnow revitalized Rec programming for the crazy wild kids as much as for the silent ones. Panda and Macaroni were able to immerse the kids in their adventure programming with driven passions and dedication. Sparrow and Mallard were able to activate the full potential of the island by seemingly living on it. Without a doubt they worked on creating some new bold games for the island day! Stump and Peaches created an exemplary collection of Spirits Programming to bring children closer to both their faith and themselves, whether it be about Star Wars or self-love. Nimbus injected a new passion for crafts by driving children to create what they wanted using him as a guide to success. He also marked himself by being the first male craft programmer in a while (if ever!). Falcon was thrust into a brand new position, Dorms and Dishwasher supervisor. With a new position, he was able to craft a role that is crucial to camp and its success. He also found time to be with kids and was an absolutely encouraging figure to the staff. Along similar lines, I also plunged into a newer role. The Assistant Program Director was a position revived last summer and occupied by my good friend Sunshine. I anticipated a challenge but what I was met with was more of it than I could’ve anticipated. My role was propelled to a far more directorial role than I thought it would and I loved it. Lastly, Maple was able to take up what was to me, the most chaotic summer for the first aider in a while. She was able to gain children’s trust as much as she could put staff in their place when it came to sickness or injuries. Also, she was able to identify and effectively help camp avoid an impetigo outbreak. The staff this summer was an unforgettable and incredible bunch!
When Zebra announced she was leaving her position at the end of last summer, a hushed curiosity washed over camp. Who would be next? Who could fill those shoes? Would someone be able to? After many rumours, sure enough one person was selected for the position; Wind. Personally, I was surprised. I had no idea who she was but seemed like someone in charge did. However, after this summer (and fall by the time this comes out) I can say she is the right choice. Even though she was new to her position, she guided the staff effectively and with confidence over the summer. As her #2, it was impressive to see her handle what summer camp could throw at her!
Whether we were sanitizing camp post-impetigo or play a daunting wide game, this summer was full of surprises! But it also birthed new goals for our beloved camp. Whether it was Stump creating a wide game that pitched many teams against one and other and ended with a game of capture the flag, Nimbus helping create a new tipi door cover, Wind taking the initiative to create new environment programs using our property or my cataloguing of our storied past, camp is assuredly going somewhere. The passion to create new and great things at camp was present this summer. Not all projects were completed (Outdoor chapel) but some quietly achieved their place (New exciting wide games, staff that wants to create a legacy). I’ve no doubt that after this summer, the expectations placed on summer staff of 2017 will be incredible. But I know that they’ll pull through. Camp is home of the resilient, brave, slightly deranged few. But gosh darn if we aren’t the best community around. So thank you to all who made summer of 2016 what it was. There will never be another one like it. And I take comfort in that.
- André (Apollo) Prevost
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