Our campfire last night culminated in this incredible speech from kitchen staff Ryan commemorating his 10th summer at camp:

I have officially gone up highways 400, 11, and 60 ten times to reach the most close knit, friendly, aesthetically-pleasing and passionate place I’ve ever been a part of. 

When I first came to Arowhon in 2013 I was taken aback by how inclusive it was. Before I even set foot in my new cabin I was greeted by one of my first counsellors who invited me to play a game of Gaga with him and some other campers. 

My first cabin was 19, with Alex Bruce and Harry Michell, who both stand next to me up here tonight. I was only at Arowhon for 2 weeks that year, and the reason I came back in 2014 was to execute all my prank ideas, and because I missed hearing my Section Head shout “TUCK”. 

In August 2014, after being so impressed by other ten year jacket speeches, I told my cabin (7) that “I guarantee you will see me get my 10 year jacket”. 

I came back in 2015 after being so impressed by Colour War and Huck Nature’s animals, or maybe because I promised Cabin 7 that I would get my ten year jacket. 

I came back in 2016 maybe because I loved hearing Jonny Reed sing Hotel California to my cabin, or maybe because I was impressed by Jackie Chan as a tripper, or maybe because I promised Cabin 7 that I would get my ten year jacket. 

I came back in 2017 maybe because I loved doing rap battles with my counsellor Cooper, or maybe because I promised Cabin 7 that I would get my ten year jacket. 

I came back in 2018 probably because I was so impressed by my 5 day white water trip, or with the Point overall, or the fact that I earned my silver in Nature, or maybe because I promised Cabin 7 that I would get my ten year jacket. 

I came back in 2019 maybe because I had fond memories of the Point’s Cloud 9 Flavour-Town sauce cabinet, or participating in Brunch and Back, or maybe because I promised Cabin 7 that I would get my ten year jacket. 

I came back in 2021 because I couldn’t get Arowhon off my mind throughout 2020 when Arowhon wasn’t running, and to serve as Mr. Cabin Clean-up, or maybe because I promised Cabin 7 that I would get my ten year jacket. 

I came back in 2022 after being so inspired by seeing Arowhon keep everyone safe the previous year, learning so much in the kitchen to the point where I was given Staff of the Day, or maybe because I promised Cabin 7 that I would get my ten year jacket. 

I am back in 2023 after mastering the dish pit, juice and coffee stations, deep fryer, the flattop, and playing Elder Young in the staff play, or maybe because I promised Cabin 7 that I would get my ten year jacket. 

I said no to city jobs and going to a different camps that offered me more money, and said yes to after dinner canoeing, the zipline, cabin stargazing sessions, getting married and eating roasted corn at Sadie Hawkins, and being woken up by Crazy Frog. 

It has been a pleasure to serve you as a friend, cabin mate, camper, staff, and coworker, as Mr. Cabin Clean-up, and in the kitchen. 

For these reasons, and so many more, here’s to more Arowhon memories and beautiful days in Algonquin Park.