At our full camp campfire this week we acknowledged some incredible members of our staff who are celebrating their 5th year on staff with a ceremony presenting them with customized paddles and speeches about the impact camp has had on them and they on camp. Here is Head Counsellor Rachel Pukier’s speech that could not have done a better job of illustrating our mission at camp. We are so honoured and proud to have Rachel as a role model for Arowhon campers and staff.

I can sail on the windiest days. I can climb to the top of the climbing wall despite my fear of heights.

I can do a big J landing and a standing pry.

I can portage a canoe and build a fire. I can shoot an arrow and ride a horse.

I can do hard things.

If you thought that 7-year-old me back in 2013, quiet, shy and reserved ever imagined she’d confidently say those words because of a summer camp. You’re wrong.

As a camper, Arowhon wasn’t just a summer camp to me, it was where I discovered new skills, where I lived with my best friends turned sisters for two months, and where I became the person I am today.

As a staff, camp became even more. It became my family, my second home, and my favourite place in the world. It gave me the chance to create the same magic I experienced as a camper for others. I’ve helped others build confidence, face their fears, and turn laughter into lifelong memories. I am who I am today because of my experiences at Arowhon.

These things matter because they’re not just camp skills, they’re life skills. Knowing I can do hard things reminds me that I can face challenges outside of camp too. I’ve learned how to push through fear, work as a team, believe in myself, and support others. Those lessons don’t stay at camp; they follow me everywhere I go. And that’s what makes this place so special. It teaches you how to grow, not just for the summer, but for life.

As a JC, I learned how to be confident. I learned the meaning of what it means to make a difference and to change someone’s life. My two summers as a counsellor taught me the power of patience, empathy, and laughter. They showed me how important it is to lead with compassion, to listen deeply, and to celebrate every milestone: big or small. My campers reminded me why I fell in love with this job in the first place: because of the connections we build, the memories we create, and the way we help each other grow.

As LIT director, I learned what it means to truly let go and trust others to lead. That leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about guiding others to find their own. My LITs showed me that growth happens when we take a step back and let others shine, and that the most meaningful impact comes from empowering those around us.

Thank you to all the wonderful staff who mentored me along the way. You showed me how to be a leader and how to create meaningful summers for my campers, just as you did for me. You made my summers unforgettable, pushed me to grow, and reminded me again and again that I can do hard things. You showed me the kind of leader I want to be. Someone who leads with patience, kindness, and heart. You showed me the power of showing up for others, and how the smallest moments can leave the biggest impact. Because of you, I know that leadership isn’t about being in charge. It’s about lifting others up.

Thank you to all my memorable canoe trips. As a camper, I dreaded trip. The thought of leaving camp scared me. But as a staff, trips became opportunities for new challenges,excitement, and memories that I didn’t know I needed. They taught me, once again, that I can do hard things. But more than that, they showed me the value of discomfort. How growth often comes from the moments when you’re tired, cold, or unsure. They taught me patience, resilience, and the importance of leaning on others. Most of all, they reminded me that some of the best memories are made when you step outside of your comfort zone.

Thank you to all my old cabinmates. Even though many of you aren’t here to hear this, you’ll always be my camp family. You taught me what it means to be a true friend. To show up, to laugh through the hard moments, and to create memories. You showed me the kind of loyalty, love, and support that lasts far beyond the summers we spent together.

Thank you, Lake Tepee. Thank you, Algonquin Park. And thank you, Camp Arowhon, for building my confidence, teaching me skills, giving me space to grow, and always reminding me: I can do hard things.