Global Camping Conference 2018
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| Amiee at YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park |
Hi Mystic Lakers!
On lots of occasions folks ask me what happens at camp in the winter months. In addition to hosting retreat groups, hiring all the summer rock stars and master planning, we also do a lot of training. I had the opportunity in November to attend the YMCA Global Camping Conference with a scholarship from my friends at the YMCA Mid America Camping Conference.
On lots of occasions folks ask me what happens at camp in the winter months. In addition to hosting retreat groups, hiring all the summer rock stars and master planning, we also do a lot of training. I had the opportunity in November to attend the YMCA Global Camping Conference with a scholarship from my friends at the YMCA Mid America Camping Conference.
The Global Camping Conference was held at the YMCA of the Rockies where there are elk that wander in front of your housing units and there are signs indicating the importance of latching the door if you do not want to wake up cuddling a black bear. A little different from what we have here in Michigan.
I had the opportunity to explore for the first time in Rocky Mountain National Park and spend time with my "camp friends" who are camp directors from YMCA camps across the US and now the world. Whenever I attend camping conferences it puts me in the mind of being a camper myself. I have to travel to get there, check in, meet new people, try new things, sleep in a new bed, eat new food and all the other experiences that come from being somewhere new and away from home. It is a good reminder about how a place like camp can feel so far from home at the start of the week and like it is your home at the end of the week, and how your friends start to feel like your family.
I attended interest sessions including Women in Camping Leadership, Adverse Childhood Experiences, Creating Inclusive Environments, Character Development and Leading with Empathy. Each of these sessions gives me a new perspective to bring back to camp about how to serve our campers and staff in the best way.
We heard from keynote speakers about how chores will help campers grow in their responsibility (hello hoppers and clean cabin time) and about how we have to continue our work to be sure the outdoors includes everyone, regardless of where we are from or what we look like.
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| Amiee at Rocky Mountain National Park |
Even as an adult camp continues to help me grow every day. It connects me with some of the greatest people and role models I know.
I hope Mystic Lake inspires each of you the way the YMCA camping movement inspires me.
-Amiee
-Amiee
