Camp Woodland Blog

Who is writing all those great blog posts????

Posted by on January 7, 2013

Our very own Kim Wenzl Aycock has been writing all those fun and creative blog posts over the past few weeks.  Check out more about all the fantastic things Kim does for camp during the year in her own words:

I had the fortune of spending 12 consecutive summers at Camp Woodland from 1986-1997 as a staff member (hard to believe that I was never a camper!).  During the summer of 2011, I found myself once again in the Northwoods of Wisconsin following a fourteen-year hiatus. This time I chose to return to Woodland to lend a hand and give back to a place that gave so much to me in my formative years as an educator.  After finally having the opportunity to have a classroom of my own, I found that I was always trying to make school more like camp and NEVER trying to make camp more like school. 

As it turns out, spending that first summer at Woodland over 25 years ago changed the course of my life, and I am fortunate now to be able to work professionally as a consultant to summer camps around the country. I especially enjoy working with camp staff for orientation or mid-summer training and developing innovative camp program ideas.  In the fall and winter months, I speak at various national and regional camp conferences on topics pertaining to staff recruiting/hiring/training, program planning and development, and youth development.  I also serve on the Local Council of Leaders for the American Camp Association’s Southeast Region and help plan educational events for camp directors and staff in Florida, Georgia, and North and South Carolina.

Since my return to camp in 2011, I have been able to use the knowledge and expertise I have learned from working with a variety of camps to help with various camp projects for both Woodland and Towering Pines.  It has been fun to be in a “behind the scenes” role and volunteer my time in ways that will ultimately benefit the experience of future campers.  One such project was creating and managing on-line evaluations for both parents and staff following the recent summer in order to gather valuable feedback that will then be used as preparations are made for the summer of 2013.  Developing Pinterest sites for both camps is another endeavor I offered to help with so that we can connect with current and future campers, staff, and alumni in as many ways as possible.  I am also in contact with someone from Trout Unlimited in hopes of adding fly-fishing to the program offerings at both camps this summer!

In closing, I would like to challenge you to join me in this effort to give back to such an amazing place that has had a huge impact on my life and the person I am today.  Thanks in advance for finding ways to utilize your connections and resources or contribute your time and talents to further enrich the Camp Woodland/Towering Pines experience for others!
Kim (Wenzl) Aycock

Augusta, GA