The Happy Camper

Quotes of the Day:

Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game No one lives forever. We will be remembered for the things we do today. Not all those who wander are lost.

Issue #2 7/26/2012 Period 2

Weather
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Whats new at Wenonah?

In the Lake! Jeff was thrown in the lake for the rst time in 5 years on Saturday July 21st! Jeff believes it was a cruel and inhuman punishment. He says he was often targeted many years back and it was quite the surprise to be thrown on the spot to go in this year. Fortunately Jeff didnt mind much, because it was extremely hot outside and going for a swim didnt seem like a bad idea.

Nicolette Stadler lives in Toronto and was born in 1998; she was born in January and is a competitive dancer. This is Nicolettes 1st year at camp; she is in the alder cabin with the amazing Erin as her councillor. She chose journalism because it was something new and creative. Julia Tomasone lives in Toronto and was born in 1998; she was born in august and is a singer and actor. This is Julias 2nd year at Wenonah; she is in the alder cabin with the amazing Erin as her councillor. She chose journalism because she loves to write and thought it would be something new and different. Lexi Medici lives in Toronto, Ontario. She was born in 1999 and is now 13 years old. This is Lexis rst year at Wenonah, she is in the Alder cabin with Erin and Katie G. as awesome counselors. She chose this PIC because she loves to write and wanted to try something new. Nick Elder donated his time during many a Rest Hour this session to design this issue of the Happy Camper! Just three days before Nick came to camp, he won a Graphic Design contest on 99 Designs. Thanks, Nick - we couldnt have done this without you.

Camper Opinions

Wenonah Games Trivia:

Aki won the rst three Wenonah Games!

Phone Policy: One Perspective I believe that the new phone policy this year is brilliant compared to last year. Last year campers could not speak to their loved ones back home from anywhere from two full weeks to one whole month. That is a long period of time to not communicate with your family and or friends. Some campers may have a lot going on at home and need to express certain things to their loved ones while they are away. This year campers who brought a phone to camp are able to use their phones once a week for 30 minutes. This is a short amount of time, but campers at Wenonah take what they can get. I think that we need to ponder the idea of extending phone time. Communication with loved ones is very critical to some campers. I realize being able to use our phones every rest hour is too much to ask, but how about we consider changing the policy? We should be able to use our phones twice a week for 30-60 minutes. That sounds perfect to many campers I have talked to. Others who believe phones wreck the camp experience dont need to call if they prefer not to, but those who are homesick and crave communication with loved ones should be able to use their phones without a ght! Getting away from electronics is good, I can agree on that. However, if you are homesick you should be able to talk to those back home. You should be able to use your own personal phone when you desire at rest hour. All we are asking is to extend phone time by a bit. It wouldnt bother anyone, would it? So why do campers have to deal with tears? Phone Policy: Another Perspective I believe that having this phone policy at camp is a good thing, especially since it is a summer program. All year long you get to go on Facebook and use your phones as much as you like. Coming to a sleepover camp is a different experience then being at home and is going to have different rules then you have in your own home. For at least 2 weeks you get to be away from all of electronics. If you dont already know how the policy for phones at camp works is phones are not allowed in the cabin, but if you do bring them the fair rule is you get them taken to the general store and locked away. You now might be wondering about how this is fair! But on the other hand you have half an hour every single week to use your phone, you can talk to your friends and call a family member and see how everything is going at home, it really shouldnt be allowed anyways but at least you get to use it, be happy with that! At my old camp all electronics were aloud and constantly people are texting and using their phones, it really doesnt feel like much of a camp or sound like it either, Instead of creating new friendships and having new things to be come up upon. Obviously youre going to feel a little homesick at a point and just need to hear your moms voice; if the issue is serious enough you can just use the ofce phone. On the other hand this is what you signed up for and you knew the rules before you came to camp. Sing-a-Long Lunches As a new camper at Wenonah, I had never had the experience of a sing along lunch. My rst one was on Monday and I had a blast. Everyone was up on the benches, singing as loud as they could and of course not eating their lunches properly. The songs were fun and everyone enjoyed it. I didnt see anyone not enjoying themselves. However, we at the Happy Camper think it would be really cool to have one of the sing-a-long lunches in a month have the songs chosen by the campers so that we can enjoy it even more and have out favorite songs playing instead of having the same songs repeat every lunch. What do you think? Leave song suggestions in the Ask Alder box in the lodge.

Featured Proles

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
Nurse Nancy Nurse Nancy Vandenbergh is one of the two amazing Period 2 nurses. While she isnt working at Sick Kids Hospital as a nurse, she is an avid traveller. She has been to many places in the world such as Vietnam, Cambodia and the Galapagos Islands. Nancy loves coming to camp because its a much happier and healthier environment. This will be Nancys 5th year back at Wenonah (5 year paddle!!) and its great to have her back. Nancy helps many kids at camp. Thanks so much, Nurse Nancy!

Nurse Gwen Nurse Gwen Neizer is in her 5th year as well, at Camp Wenonah and still loves it. She is originally from New Zealand but immigrated to Canada with her husband in 1988. During the year, she works in a hospital for adults. Gwen loves the outdoors, her four kids and loves coming to camp the kids and the relaxed environment. Many thanks to Nurse Gwen!

Special Guest: Antoine Antoine was this past weekends special guest! While talking to Antoine, he seemed relaxed, at home even. Antoine was an international camper 7 years ago. Now back for a visit, he still loves the camp experience. He remembers his rst day as any rst day would be. Sort of like a rst day at a new school he says. He remembers being nervous and a little overwhelmed but as he got into the swing of things, unpacked his bags and got to know his cabins mates, he felt right at home and welcomed into camp pretty easily. Now, he has nished university and is touring with bands as a sound engineer. Star Camper: Kate Stadelmann Kate of the Cedar cabin built a 9-storey card tower on the deck of Woodchip. Kate plays baseball, loves to draw and card stacking, obviously. Kate got bored one day and just decided to make a card tower. Out of two regular decks, one of them with two jokers, and a euchre deck, she made a 9 storey card tower. Kate loves coming to camp and has been coming to camp for 4 years. She is also an Aki house member.

Star Camper: Jake Thompson Jake is a star camper because he achieved his emergency rst aid CPR-B with ease and condence, and was the student who was always focused and ready to work. Jake has been coming to camp for 6 years and on the Aki team for the Wenonah Games. Jake loves to play baseball, longboards and plays guitar. His favorite meal at camp is the chicken schnitzel.

Fun and Games!

Ask Alder Q: What does POLARIS stand for? A: Personal Opportunities for Leadership, Awareness, Recreation, Instruction and Skill enhancement! Obviously. Q: Where does the name Wenonah come from? A: Wenonah means rst-born daughter in Ojibwe. Jeff and Renatas rst daughter Sydney was born the same year they founded Wenonah. Sydney will be a WCIT in August this year! Q: Do you ever feel like a plastic bag, drifting through the wind, wanting to start again? A: No not sure I know the feeling. But thats okay, because baby youre a rework!