Baz Luhrmann gave me the best advice...

"Wear Sunscreen"
-A commencement address given by Baz Luhrmann

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be
it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by
scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable
than my own meandering
experience…I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh nevermind; you will not
understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded.
But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and
recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before
you and how fabulous you really looked….You’re not as fat as you
imagine.

Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as
effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing
bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that
never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm
on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing everyday that scares you

Sing

Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with
people who are reckless with yours.

Floss

Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes
you’re behind…the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with
yourself.

Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you
succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch

Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your
life…the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they
wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year
olds I know still don’t.

Get plenty of calcium.

Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone.

Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children,maybe
you won’t, maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky
chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary…what ever you do, don’t
congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either – your
choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s. Enjoy your body,
use it every way you can…don’t be afraid of it, or what other people
think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever
own..

Dance…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.

Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.

Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for
good.

Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the
people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go,but for the precious few you
should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and
lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you
knew when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live
in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will
philander, you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize
that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were
noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund,
maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one
might run out.

Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will
look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who
supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of
fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the
ugly parts and recycling it for more than
it’s worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen…

Life is measured in the moments that take your breath away...

When was the last time you woke up just to watch the sunrise?

It's called Utopia for a reason

Sometimes you just need to get away...check out where the Leadership Development group spent 4 days! Utopia, Doug Bay and Gambier Lake. Well worth a 3 hour canoe trip!

"A boy and girl in a little canoe..."

When was the last time you spent 3 hours just talking to someone about your lives, dreams, quirks, and goals? During my 4 day out trip to Gambier Island with the Leadership Development campers I got to do just that. It was a 3 hour paddle to and from the island. That could either be the longest canoe ride of your life or the shortest.

I had never talked to Caleb before we became co counselors for Leadership development. He seemed like a nice guy but other than that I didn't really know anything about him. Now I would say he is one of the most amazing people I have ever met. He is going to spend 8 months after camp backpacking through Chile and next summer in Toronot doing a 30 day out tripping camp with at risk youth. He regrets nopt taking theatre and would live in Norway if he could go anywhere. He would want the super power of being able to understand every language and loves the smell of bookshops. He has his grandfather's medal of Honor and would describe himself as sorbet ice cream.

The next time you find yourself on a bus, elevator, in line or just around someone you never get the chance to talk to, ask them a random question. You will be amazed at what you might learn.

Where a kid can be a kid

Isn't it incredible what can happen around a fire? I recently had the chance to spend some time with our friends from the visiting Canadian Diabetes Association camp. A group of girls needed an extra counselor on their out trip. I very gladly went with them to help prepare their fire and meal and s'mores. But I actually ended up staying the whole night because of one of the best fireside conversations I've ever had with a group of campers or anyone. What started as talking about boys ended up being about living with diabetes. As someone who hasn't had a lot of direct experience with the disease I didn't really think much of it. I just saw these kids run around camp with a lot of extra snacks, including peanut butter, which always made other campers quite jealous. They also had to leave games and events frequently to go get tested. But I didn't realize how much people with diabetes have to alter their lifestyle. The girls made it clear that they were looking for friends (and of course boyfriends) who could realte to their disease and not look at it like a disability.

I heard story after story about how family, friends and teachers would treat these girls differently after their diagnosis and assume that they were these weak frail creatures that might fall apart at any minute. But these girls play volleyball, rugby and a variety of other sports. I had to ask them if they felt this way at camp. Their responses were eye opening. They all felt camp was the one place they felt understood and had real friends who could relate to them and they didn't have to worry about explaining things. There were counselors who were overprotective who thought they would have a seizure at any minute and their were counselors that they loved who just treated them like any other camper.

The more I look at camp here and camp in the United States I fee like there is a critical lesson to be learned here. Yes, safety is our main priority as camp staff. But not at the expense of a life changing meaningful experience for the camper. Those kids with special needs that challenge us everyday? This is the one place that they can feel normal. Let them. Don't worry so much about incident and accident reports and focus on the overall experience instead. Because that is what will keep them coming back.

TIMBER DAYS!

Check out some of my awesome adventures as team Leader for Jackson during Timber Days!

Call to Leadership

I was so excited in Week 2 of camp to have my first ever cabin group! I found out I was going to be working with girls ages 9-11 with Molly from Australia and Kim who I got to work with last week! I could not ask for a better first cabin! The girls and my co counselors made my job so easy! We had Cabin 16 decorations and cheers, date nights with another boy cabin, won the awards for cleanest cabin and Sun Safety and had really great debriefing sessions at the end of each night along with character bracelets.

However I was still struggling with some of the more technical aspects of camp. I couldn't ever seem to get my paperwork in order, lost my scratch kit, and didn't realize my girls weren't allowed in the bathroom at a certain time which really frustrated one of the janitors. Though I was really enjoying my time with the girls I couldn't help but berate myself and getting frustrated with my mistakes.

Then something happened that I didn't quite understand, and certainly never expected....

Every two weeks there is a camp wide theme day. The camp is divided into two teams and they spend the day doing activities and challenges to earn points I vaguely recalled this information from our pre camp training. Everyone was getting excited about who would be chosen as the first team leaders. A male and a female counsleor who really stood out were chosen for each team. Their job during he day is to lead their team in cheers, games and spirit. It is honestly one of the biggest honors the camp can give to a counsleor. So at the end of the talent show on Wednesday night when the emcess came on stage I was pretty intrigued to see who would be selected as well. And then I heard, "For team Jackson, we present Jason and ERIN FROM THE YPN!!!!!" I was speechless and very confused. I did not know ANYTHING about this camp's theme days or what a team leader was supposed to do. My whole cabin was ecstatic and pushed me onstage to receive my instructions. I was to lead Team Jackson (the blue team) to defeat the miners who came to camp trying to destroy Big Tree during 'Tiber Days" which is a long standing lumber jack theme day tradition (something very new to a farm girl from Indiana mind you!!!)

When all the commotion calmed down i had countless staff and counselors come to congratulate me on the honor. I apparently was the first YPNer ever to be selected as a team leader! And all leaders' names are engraved on a plaque in the office as a commemoration. Though theme day turned out to be rainy I don't think I ever had so much fun! I completely lost my voice during the traditional "Cheer off show down" and was absolutely floored when at campfire it was revealed that Jackson had won Timber Days!!! All of my doubts completely disappeared and my confidence was completely restored and I have never felt so honored to be part of something.

In life it is important to keep things in perspective. Yes, we are going to make mistakes. But don't let those mistakes make you blind to your accomplishments and successes. Focus on what's truly important, don't sweat the small stuff, and you will be amazed at what opportunities come your way!

In the beginning...

First days are the most exciting and frightening times. I have not been as nervous as I was for the first day of camp Elphinstone since I was in grade school! No matter how much training we could have been given, there really isn't anything that can prepare you for the crazy reality that is camp.

It became very clear that I was camp person from the moment we arrived at Elphinstone. But there is quite a long distance between Elphinstone and Indiana, and there are plenty of differences that span that difference. Being here is like being in another country almost. Every camp has its own unique traditions, songs and events. Learning them takes awhile. I though the camp part of this summer would be the easy part since I had so much previous experience. Now I am beginning to think it will be the most eye opening experience of all for me.

Week 1 of camp I was on Program Staff. I was kind of relieved not to be a cabin leader for the first week, just because I really wanted the chance to observe how things like cabin groups operated in this strange new world. However I found a whole new set of challenges to overcome. The Directing staff at Elphinstone come from a variety of different backgrounds. Because of the recent closing of Camp Howdy ( a sister camp that was bought by another group) many Directors were transferred here to Elphinstone as well as completely net directors as well. This made planning things like evening activities really difficult because everyone had a different way of running things. It was even further complicated by the fact that there were 4 other YpN participants on Program Staff that were still uncomfortable with their English and adjustings to life in Canada and camp.

I really discovered what it means to be a mediator during the first week. Listening and incorporating the opinions of so many different people is quite a challenge! And it is even more difficult to make a point of making sure everyone's voice is heard, especially those who might be too nervous to use it like some of my fellow YPNers.

It is very east to dismiss quiet people off as uninterested or inexperienced. But I challenge you...the next time you are in a meeting or a discussion make a point of asking the quietest people for their opinion. You may be surprised what they come up with! I know I was! one of the girls from Argentina, Maru, has actually had a lot of experience with camp, and has some amazing original ideas. But because of her English she was nervous to share these with the group. But once we specifically asked her if she had any games from Argentina she wanted to share with us, she immediately opened up! Because of her great idea, and some extra creativity from other staff, we now have a new game called "Royal Flush" that was a HUGE success!

What new ideas can you discover from those around you?

Welcome to Camp Elphinstone!

Check out the place I get to call home for two months!

Sometimes You Lead...

"Life's a dance you learn as you go"
John Michael Montgomery

When I was fourteen I was falling fast
For a blue eyed girl in my homeroom class
Trying to find the courage to ask her out
Was like trying to get oil from a waterspout
What she would have said I can't say
I never did ask and she moved away
But I learned something from my blue eyed girl
Sink or swim you gotta give it a whirl

Life's a dance you learn as you go
Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow
Don't worry about what you don't know
Life's a dance you learn as you go

The longer I live the more I believe
You do have to give if you wanna receive
There's a time to listen, a time to talk
And you might have to crawl even after you walk
Had sure things blow up in my face
Seen the longshot, win the race
Been knocked down by the slamming door
Picked myself up and came back for more

Life's a dance you learn as you go
Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow
Don't worry about what you don't know
Life's a dance you learn as you go

Life's a dance you learn as you go
Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow
Don't worry about what you don't know
Life's a dance you learn as you go
Life's a dance you learn as you go
Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow
Don't worry about what you don't know
Life's a dance you learn as you go

Life's a dance
Life's a dance
Life's a dance
Take a chance on love
Life's a dance
You learn as you go

Everything I need to know...

A few lessons about communication....

1) Just because we speak the same language does not mean we understand each other.
2) We do not see thing as they are but as we are.
3) Do not always believe everything you think.
4) Jokes are only funny if you explain them.
5) Speak slowly and clearly. If they don't understand, clarify, don't jut repeat yourself. This one is my favorite as it applies to cross cultural communication AND communication with children.

Communication is:
7% verbal
55% non verbal (touch/proximity)
38% para-verbal (tone, pace, volume)

And finally the 'Platinum' rule....

Treat others as (you have learned) THEY want to be treated.

We are family!

In an effort to get to know eachother the staff at Camp Elphinstone participate in Speed Dating!

Culture Shock!

Camp Staff Training week is probably the most intense experience known to man. Early mornings, late evenings, lectures, workshops, loads of games, songs, clapping, yelling, swim testing and canoe tipping (in the rain!) and hundreds of new people crammed into tiny cabins. This is an exhausting experiencing for even the most veteran camp staff. Imagine what it must be like for people who do not speak English as their first language, or have even experienced summer camp!

Julien is from Haiti. I have not had much of a chance to talk to her yet. Her english is pretty limited and she is shy, but she has an amazing voice. The first day of camp we were told we had to swim test. Juliene came up to me in the cabin with her eyes full of tears and her voice shaking. "Erin, I can not go in the water. It makes me scared." I assured her no one would make her do anything she didn't want to do, but so that she didn't feel alone she could come down to the dock and watch. It started out as a sunny day, and we started out by kayaking and canoeing. Juliene became intrigued when she found out she wouldn't have to get inb the water so she asked if she could try it. She LOVED it! But when it was time to dunk the canoe to practice rescues, she was very adamant about not getting in the water. And at that very moment the sky opened up and rain POURED down!

Now I don't know how many of you have swam in the pacific ocean, but let me assure you it is COLD!!! it is even colder in the rain. I could barley feel my hands when our canoe was dunked. Icame out of the water shivering but exhilarated. As I hobbled up the stairs to go shower before lunch, Juliene came up to me. "Erin, I want to do that!!!" she said while pointing at the overturned canoes in the water. "Are you sure?" I asked her. "YES!" she said with a big grin on her face. I watched her scream with fear and glee as her canoe was flipped and it was her smile as she climbed onto the dock that warmed me to the bone.

Challenge by choice...and succeed!

Cultural Welcome Event!

The YPNers got to show off their cultures and meet their home stay families! A wonderful weekend before heading off to camp Elphinstone!