Monthly Archives:January 2013
Future Leaders at Work and Play
Future Leaders at Work and Play
posted by Kim Wenzl Aycock
While at a regional American Camp Association meeting recently, I saw this sign on an early morning run as I was coming back into the camp where we were staying. I couldn’t wait to get my phone so that I could take a picture and share with you here!
How the camp experience has changed lives is one of the most powerful benefits of camp. Camp, and the experiences of camp, defines us even as adults. Camp has touched many lives, introduced people to new passions, and broadened horizons.
You may not realize the number of “famous” people who attribute their success to their camp experience as a child. Check it out here: Because of Camp (49 seconds)
Camp provides children with the opportunity to connect with nature, to participate in human powered activities, and to benefit from personal and primary relationships. Because of Camp…® so much is possible!
Looking forward to seeing you THIS summer!
Where in the World is Liz Holloway?? Teaching in Korea
Liz Holloway is a teacher in Gwangju, South Korea. Before traveling the world, Liz got her start traveling north each summer to Eagle River, WI. She holds a special place in her heart for Camp Woodland—the camp that shaped her into the woman she is today. Since 1997, Liz has spent 11 summers at Camp Woodland with her most recent summer in 2012 as Program Assistant and a Senior Counselor—and hopefully not her last! Check out what Liz has to say about her adventures in Korea:
After experiencing the world with Semester At Sea as a Junior in college, I realized travel was about to become an integral part of my life. I recognized the most feasible way to make this happen would be to find a job abroad. Following a brief stint interning at the U.S. Embassy in Cyprus, I decided I’d prefer finding a job that would allow me to assimilate to the country’s culture and also integrate my passion for working with children.
These days I’m living and working in South Korea as an elementary school teacher! Korea is on the fast track to teaching all of their children English. In order to do this, they hire many degree-carrying, native English speakers! Unlike most schools where English-speaking teachers run General English classes, my school is special. It is an English immersion school—meaning our kids learn subjects such as Language Arts, Writing, Science and History in English! Since September, I have been teaching sixth grade immersion students Language Arts and Social Studies. I’ve also incorporated my love of yoga into a special “club” class for fourth graders every Friday afternoon.
Many ask what it’s like living in Korea. I feel like South Korea lies somewhere between a developing and technologically advanced country. It’s a beautiful and mountainous land about the size of Indiana—making travel within country a snap! The food is good—many spicy noodle dishes, rice, seafood and seaweed. The language barrier is certainly the most difficult thing about life in Korea. Though we are teaching this generation of kids English, we missed a large chunk of the population—adults—so communication is confusing at times, and often comical! Perhaps because many adults speak so little English, education—particularly English education—is stressed heavily in this culture. Almost every child attends an academy after their school day lets out—a place where they take more classes (usually English classes), often taught by native English speakers. Although the culture is very different from that of the U.S., Korea is westernizing at a rapid pace—I feel like it’s becoming more American all the time. The students I teach could be mistaken for little Americans—their personalities, interests, and jokes are often comparable to what I’ve witnessed back home. These kids love Angry Birds, computer games, and candy! What can I say—around the world, kids just want to be kids!
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| Holloway Family Met up in Australia – Dec 2012 |
If you’d like to learn more about my adventures overseas, please take a look at my blog: http://seoulgeneratedbylove.tumblr.com
Who is writing all those great blog posts????
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
One Stop Shopping for New Year’s Resolutions!
One Stop Shopping for New Year’s Resolutions!
by Kim Wenzl Aycock
Among the top resolutions that are made at the start of each New Year, some of the most common goals can be met while spending an AMAZING summer at Camp Woodland/Towering Pines:
Eat Healthy: Instead of serving processed food, we provide meals made from “scratch”. No powdered eggs here!
Get Moving: Video games and TV are put aside for 6 weeks – campers are active and get plenty of exercise in the great outdoors. We use our feet to take us everywhere we need to go!
Reduce Stress: Camp is a great way to “unplug” from the constant flow of text messages, emails, and other social media. It is also a time to put the pressures of school and grades aside and just enjoy living in the moment. Above all, camp is FUN!!
Try Something New: With a variety of physical, recreational, and creative activities to choose from, campers have the opportunity to explore a wide range of interests.
Spend More Time With Friends: Imagine spending 24 hours a day for 6 weeks with a group of your closest friends…how AWESOME is that?!
New Year’s Resolution:
Join us at Camp Woodland/Towering Pines in 2013…
we are VERY EXCITED about the upcoming summer!
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
ONLY 170 MORE DAYS UNTIL CAMP STARTS…
LET’S GET READY!
WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A “BLAST”
AT CAMP WOODLAND/TOWERING PINES
THIS SUMMER!
SEE YOU THERE!
p.s. It’s not too late to send in your application for 2013!
Don’t forget to send in your
“Where in the World” Contest Entry!
Woodland Contest
Towering Pines Contest
Don’t forget to send in your
“Where in the World” Contest Entry!
Woodland Contest
Towering Pines Contest