Camp Arowhon
Camp News
CBC Radio interviews Arowhon director Joanne Kates
CBC Radio did a show yesterday on the impacts of summer camp, and they interviewed me about how our campers are changed by camp. We talked about how people turn into their best selves at camp – hear the interview at www.cbc.ca/freshair But what we didn’t talk about was the sheer fun of it all. The ear-splitting yelling and cheering, […]
ContinueCamp is silent…. almost
They say the two happiest days of a camp director’s year are the day camp starts and the day it ends. My deepest happiness yesterday – as every year on that day – is from the simple fact of sending everyone home in one piece. That they grew and learned and had a ton of […]
ContinueA bittersweet day
Lots going on today: Bronze Medallion and Cross exams, most everyone passed…. tonight was the staff show, with every section plus the instructors singing in homage to their campers…. and then the whole camp walked together to the Main Lodge, where two campers sang a song they wrote about the campfire embers under the moon… […]
ContinueWhat is the true meaning of summer camp?
Just before 7 this morning I was on a swim dock to test a small group of style swimmers for their Arowhon A. How important is the Arowhon A at camp? Here’s one way to know: I have my Arowhon A framed on my office wall – in Toronto. My daughter has hers on her […]
ContinueChicago! Brent! Whitney!
Just came from a theatrical triumph. Chicago! Superlative staging, great costumes, fabulous singing, vamping and dancing… and terrific comedic acting…. Earlier today the boys Whitney trip came back… And right after dinner tonight the girls Brent trip got back… At dinner there were several moving speeches about incredibly dedicated campers who have achieved high awards… […]
ContinueIt’s not over till the fat lady sings
My father, Eugene Kates, who ran Arowhon throughout my childhood, used always to say that at the end of camp we have to “wind up, not wind down.” We’re winding way up! A group is leaving this afternoon for a special “survival skills” overnight with one of our trippers who has strong outdoor survival skills… […]
ContinueAnother exciting day at camp
SO much going on! Whitney girls (a marathon sprint by of paddling and portaging) got back as lunch began, to massive cheering by the whole camp… This morning at 7 I tested a Senior Boy for the jumping portion of his 1st class award in riding. He jumped a flawless course of 3 foot jumps […]
ContinueColour War Day Two
This morning was my favourite game: The Land and Sea Game. This is the 2nd biggest event of Colour War….. The goal is simple: Each team must find (hidden on land) wooden blocks in their team’s colour. To get points, those blocks need to get to the Voyageur canoe. Sounds simple. But the Voyageur canoe […]
ContinueColour War!
Last night’s evening activity was our weekly campwide campfire… We were led by torches to the Junior Boys campsite deep in the forest… there were songs and skits, stories and 10 year jacket ceremonies, and then we were all led by torchlight to the front of the Main Lodge for: The Colour War Break Skit! […]
ContinueAll the Inter Boys are back from trip
All the Inter Boys are back from trip. Some went on canoe trips and some on hiking trips, and a great time was had by all. We’re glad they’re back because the dining hall seemed kind of …. quiet without their wonderful loud boy energy and cheers. Today all the Juniors left on their canoe […]
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