Summer 2011 Reflections
Brad Gaasenbeek - Wilderness Leader - This past summer was great in so many ways! At wilderness we had some awesome camps, great times, and amazing campers! One of my favorite moments was the River Wild canoe trip down the Saugeen River. It was great sharing the beauty of Ontario with the campers, even if it did result in my canoe (the food canoe) tipping. That aside, every camp has equally cool moments. Looking back on the summer, it was so neat experiencing the love of God through the unique sessions that ran at wilderness. I am currently finishing up my last year of high school, and am missing camp already. I’d like to thank all the campers who came to Silver Lake this year, and really hope you all come back next year!
Cailin McMeekin - Lifeguard - Hey Everyone again! My goodness, what a summer! So many memories and good times and amazing experiences! From the weekly swamp walk to the batch of 50+ morning dip cookies we made, crazy theme nights to DOUBLE rainbows, the mud pitt to lunch on the lake, intense sponge wars and ALL-CAMP canoe wars, it was just such a great summer! I had so much fun lifeguarding the waterfront, as well as being able to plug into program and groups. I had such an amazing time at Silver Lake, being able to meet all the awesome campers and spend a summer in such a God-filled atmosphere, it was a summer I will definitely never forget! And as a staff, we hit any obstacle with drive and grace, it was amazing to be a part of such a great team of people! Sure hope to see you all again next year! You guys are all great!!! :)
Corey Madore - Counsellor/Program - This was my first real SLC experience and it was one of the best summers I’ve had. To spend each day marveling in the beauty that is the creation of God is one of the greatest gifts I have been given. I owe much thanks to the wonderful campers that made every game, session, campfire, vespers and meal super wonderful. There was not a morning in the 2 months that I did not want to jump out of bed and get involved from the very first moment of the day. Getting to experience the joy of camp from a counseling as well as the program coordinator position enhanced my love of the summer by giving me a much broader view of what it takes to make camp an enjoyable place for all the great campers that come each week. I hope that everyone that came to SLC this summer, whether camper or staff member, can take the smiles and laughter that made such a great summer with them back to school and spread the good energy that filled us all up while we were in this beautiful place. Peace!
Hannah Bruce - Counsellor/Kitchen - Wow! I can't believe the summer's over already! As I get ready to go back to school, I keep thinking of all the amazing things that happened at camp: all the games we played, the silly campfires, as well as the awesome sessions and activities. The ways I saw God working this summer have filled me up higher than I've ever been. The brand new Arts and Music camp was definitely a highlight of my summer with it's amazing, new program and all the great staff that came in to help out. I hope everyone that came to SLC this summer had a great time, and that they brought God's love home with them to care for the rest of the world. I wish everyone a fantastic year. See you next summer!
Jamie Connelly - Assistant Director/Wilderness Director - Thank you so much for an incredible summer. It has been such a joy to meet you all and to make awesome memories at the wild side. I will never forget all the messy and fun moments spent in the mud pit, canoeing across Silver Lake, commandoes at site 3, insane swamps walks to otter lake (!), double rainbows, battling the Saugeen River, swinging in the ropes course, the push plunge challenges, fort building, awesome campfires, and of course, eating tuck at the playground! Those are only a few of the many great moments we shared together over the summer. I’ve been so blessed to meet each and every one of you and I pray that God continues to shine in your hearts as you journey into the new school year. Best of luck and I hope to see you all again next summer!
Janelle Taylor - Wilderness Leader - Wow, that summer flew by! I can honestly say that was my favourite summer ever. I feel honoured to have been able to meet such amazing and encouraging staff and hilarious campers. Now that I am back at school, it is tough to let go of Silver Lake Camp. Thankfully, I have so many wonderful memories to take with me. From extreme swamp walk and a ten-person canoe to double rainbows and endless amounts of laughter, Wilderness was an amazing fit for me this summer. It exceeded my expectations and helped me grow with all the challenges. Hope to see you all next year and God bless!
Liz Miltenburg - Counsellor - Hey! This summer has been incredible! If you were a camper for a week at Silver Lake I'm sure you know what I mean. This summer has provided me with new experiences and new relationships. Overall I feel that I have grown in so many ways this summer; spiritually, mentally and emotionally. Challenges and difficult situations have only made me a better person. As for the memories made, they will last forever! Thanks to everyone who made this an awesome summer! Other perm staff, all the volunteers and of course the campers. :) Hopefully I will see you all next year!
Peggy Wright - Kitchen Leader/Staff Support - As I look back over our summer at Silver Lake, my dominant feeling is gratitude. I have so many snapshots of staff pouring themselves out to care for the site, the campers, other staff and all who joined us for a meal or a day. It was a summer of reclaiming spaces all around site: the program office, staff lounge, equipment shed becoming cabin 7, the volleyball court, a waterfront we can be proud of, new soccer nets and the investment in refreshing vespers as a space for reflection, prayer, worship and conversation. The refreshing of spaces brought energy to programming, creative group times, worship, and caring for people well. The challenges of the summer were transformed into triumphs as the community that cares for Silver Lake rose up time and again with our staff to find a way through them. As a family, I watched my boys experiment and thrive in the caring atmosphere we all created together. The campers animated the site week by week with laughter, song, and joy led by the enthusiasm, grace and care of our staff. Great work, team!
Sarah Fletcher - Head Lifeguard - This was one of my best summers yet at Silver Lake! Thank you to all of the parents and campers that helped create so many summer memories for me. From all camp canoe wars to crazy counselor hunts, we tried so many new things! God really worked through us this summer and I hope that all of the campers had as much fun as I did. Hope to see you all again next year :)
