Precamp 2019: Getting Ready for The Best Summer Ever!
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Woohoo! The last two days have been jam-packed, and I’m one happy moose thinking about how close it is until our campers get here! We’re almost ready for what makes Manitou really great: the campers! Just some finishing touches, a little bit more training, and we’re ready to go!
On Monday, our staff had an exciting day! They did their First Aid and Waterfront training, did the Adventure Park as a unit so they could bond even more and have a little bit of fun, and heard from guest speaker Katy Albert, who enthusiastically gave tips about being a counsellor and working with kids. Katy is an Academic and Behaviour Coach, who specializes in children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum and other neuro-developmental disorders. She is great at educating about behavioural issues, and I think our staff learned a lot about different methods of dealing with various camper issues. After our great chat with Katy, we were off to dinner which was a little different than usual, as it was our “Birthday Themed Dinner!” This meant everyone would sit together with the people who were born in the same month as them. It was great to meet some new people and talk to friends I hadn’t seen in awhile! After dinner, the whole staff group heard from Manitou veterans Lanny and Julie Foster who told stories from their many years at camp and gave their top tips about being at camp. And then to finish off an already exciting day, our counsellor team found out which staff they would be paired with for their first session cabins. I could sense a lot of excitement in the air, and I think this may be the best counsellor group we’ve ever had! It was a fun way to an already exciting day.
Tuesday started as a nice cool day, which was perfect weather for moving duffels! The baggage trucks rolled into camp, and our staff team all worked together to move the duffels into their new homes: the cabins! It was great to see everyone helping each other out and supporting others, and I think we moved all the bags in a new record time! Our staff then met up in their activities and did some final touches, cleaning, and planning for fun programs. I think all the activities look amazing and I can’t wait to try them all! Our staff also had a very fun MHL (Manitou Hockey League) themed lunch, where everyone could sit with their team and start to bond…and strategize! I love watching the MHL games, and I’m excited to see who will pull out a big win this year! Tuesday’s lunch also ended with a nice inclusion dessert: a rainbow cake in honour of Pride Month and Camp Manitou’s mandate on inclusiveness and equality. I thought it was a very nice thing to do…and it tasted delicious too! Tuesday afternoon, our Culinary Arts and Tripping staff had the very special opportunity to work with Jordan Wagman, a noted Toronto chef, who worked with and inspired the staff on how to prepare delicious and healthy gourmet food while out on trip or in camp! We then had some more safety and information sessions, and then it was off to bed after a long day. I can’t wait to see what today brings..it’s already bright and sunny out!
I have to go now…it’s time to go see what’s cooking at Culinary Arts with my friend Arly Abramson!
Yours Moosily,
Manny the Moose
