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The Week on Twitter: 2009-12-28

December 28th, 2009 | Comments | Posted in Blog | by Travis Allison

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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

December 25th, 2009 | Comments | Posted in Events, Families, News | by Agnes

Christmas is one of those special holidays where no matter how busy we are, we make time to visit with friends and family. Sure, there are presents and parties, and rushing from one gathering to the next, but in the end, it’s about spending time with the people that mean the most to you. The people that will be there for you no matter what or when you call—family.

OurKids_merrychristmas_2009

From our family to yours, we wish you a very happy holiday season. May your days be filled with joy and laughter, and may the new year bring you good health and continued happiness.

Finding Peace

December 23rd, 2009 | Comments | Posted in Children, Grade School, Parents, Service | by Kristine Quan

Last week I was lucky enough to be the parent volunteer with my 10 year old’s class trip to the “Children’s Peace Theatre”. They are doing a 3 week workshop there, with a performance for the parents in the fourth week. I was curious to see for myself what this program entailed.

PeaceTheatreHomeBanner(photo credit of www.peacetheatre.org)


We arrived at the ‘theatre’, located in the old Massey family farmhouse. The workshop room was covered with chart paper, with topics scribbled all over , varying from “what is peace”, “what is bullying”, “what makes me feel good/bad”, to mission statements the kids themselves came up with that would be their commitment to being “Peace Leaders”. We spent the day varying from small to large groups, doing various activities from team building to frank discussions on individual experiences with bullying.

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The Week on Twitter: 2009-12-21

December 21st, 2009 | Comments | Posted in Blog | by Travis Allison

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Series: 5 Questions (Follow-up)

ad_woodpile Yesterday we posted the second in our 5 Questions series.   We talked to camp director Beth Allison about the sort of answers you should hear when you ask a director about her counsellors.

We are pleased to also offer you some insight from another director.  Dan Weir, from the Frost Valley YMCA in upstate New York, sent us another list of 5 Questions.

Now you can go armed with 10 Questions to Ask a Camp Director about Her/His Counsellors.

Dan’s list:

1.  Whats your staff retention rate?
2.  How long/what do you cover during staff training?
3.  How long have you (director) been in camping?
4. Would you have your children underneath their care?
5. What’s your policy on drugs and alcohol with your staff?

    ** We are pleased to announce that Dan will be joining us for the brand new podcast that Our Kids will be releasing in the new year.  This “audio magazine” will be aimed directly at professional camp directors and their year-round staff.

    Series: 5 Questions… to Ask A Camp Director – Part II

    Five Questions To Ask About The Camp Counsellors

    This article, the second in our series (previously) of 5 Questions posts, will focus on the things that you should ask a Camp Director about his/her counsellors.  Both the toughest and most rewarding position at summer camp, good counsellors possess an unique set of talents.   A Camp Director who can answer these questions with confidence will help you feel great about your summer camp choice.

    I solicited some expert help with these so that you can get an idea of the type of answers that you should hear.  I’d like to thank Beth Allison, a director with 15 years of experience directing at Glen Mhor Camp and the CAIRN Presbyterian Camping & Retreat Centres (and my wife!), for her help.

    Our Kids’ Five Questions To Ask About The Camp Counsellors

    Wapomeo_T_S 15What are you, as a Director, looking for in a staff member? I am looking for a young adult who is very involved in making the world a better place:  a variety of clubs at school, church, sports, teaching opportunities with children (swimming instructor, Sunday school teacher, volunteer at Boys or Girls club, etc.).  He or she should have varied interests (photography, art, nature, etc.) and be involved in the community (environmental issues, politics, volunteering), etc.
    I want staff members who understand children and teens and their needs and concerns.  Someone with a camping background is ideal but not necessary — great staff members have come from no camp background at all!
    Most of all I want someone who cares.  I can teach them the necessary skills but they must possess the right attitude and the desire to make a real difference with their summer.

    What are the specifics involved in the hiring process? Staff members are required to apply every year, even if they are returning staff.  The application is filled with new questions each time which help to determine how the staff member has grown throughout the school year and why he or she wishes to return.  References are required for all staff members.  A hiring day or interview day is a must.  All staff members are put through activities and situations which help to determine whether or not they are suitable for the position.  Online activity by each staff member is monitored and checked. Additionally, contact is kept up throughout the year with returning staff members and LITs wishing to become staff members to ensure they are truly applying for all the right reasons.

    What, if anything, are returning staff members encouraged to do for camp between summers? I always encourage a staff member to increase her/his certifications of hard skills (climbing, swimming, ropes, canoeing, sailing, etc.) and to take the opportunities to learn new soft skills.  I am always looking for a very well-rounded staff.  Staff members are the best form of advertisement for camp so their help in getting the word out and in presenting themselves in the most professional manner is something I always encourage and expect.

    How long is training and what specific sessions are taught? Training begins before staff even apply.  Expectations are set out in the application and during the hiring day of how our community is run.

    • A weekend in the spring in the Greater Toronto Area  is set aside for group building and an opportunity for a successful group experience.
    • A spring orientation weekend is held at the camp in early May to begin the training process.
    • A minimum of seven day’s training must be completed by all staff members prior to the start of summer camp.  Sessions include all of our hard skills, the necessary soft skills required by staff members (communication, consensus decision making, conflict resolution, etc.), training on all the important issues children deal with (ex. bullying, child abuse) and training on how to teach creatively, etc.
    • Online training modules are also completed by staff members before they begin leadership training at the end of June.
    • Training continues throughout the summer with staff meetings, experiential learning times set aside each week and the mid-summer 24 hour in-service.

    Why do these young people want to be counsellors at your camp? They love children, the camp philosophy and they fully understand and appreciate the camping experience.  They want to work hard to make a real difference in the lives of young people and to give them back what they have experienced in their lives.

    BethAllisonBeth Allison is a Camp Consultant, Author and Leadership Training Specialist.  For more information you can contact her through her website: http://www.bethallison.org/

    Lose the Lunchbag

    December 15th, 2009 | Comments | Posted in Families, School Life, Students | by Travis Allison

    Goodbyn lunch boxThe Goodbyn lunch box is a waste-free lunch system – no plastic bags, no mixing food groups.

    Our eldest son (21 years old) still doesn’t like his food to touch.  Since he’s moved home to go to teachers’ college we sort of take turns making lunch for each other (more to the point: Beth is nice enough to make it for us both on the days she gets home before us).

    I’m seriously considering getting him one of these lunch boxes.   With lots of room in easy to clean sections  a person could take lots of great food… and keep everything from touching!

    All kidding aside, a lot of thought has gone into the production of the Goodbyn.  It is BPA free, can be washed in the dishwasher and when it’s life is over it can be put out with the recycling.

    Great idea!

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    What’s On: Dec. 14-31, 2009

    December 14th, 2009 | Comments | Posted in Events, News | by Travis Allison

    Welcome to What’s On, The Chalkboard’s weekly (or 3-weekly in this case) roundup of interesting and exciting events on tap. To help make sure we know about all the best events be sure to leave a comment below or send an email to travis[at]ourkids[dot]net. Now on with the weeks ahead!

    Wednesday December 16

    Special Event | THE DUNBLAINE SCHOOL
    The Sound of Music – Dunblaine students all have an opportunity to experience the sheer joy and pride that a creative art production can bring. Please contact the school for information on our new venue for this event.
    The Dunblaine School, Toronto, ON | View School Profile

    Thursday December 17

    Special Event | COLLEGE PREP INTERNATIONAL
    9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. International Day – contact the school for more details
    College Prep International, Montreal, QC | View School Profile

    Friday December 18

    Open House | VICTORIA BALLET ACADEMY
    6:30 – 8:30 p.m. The Nutcracker For Christmas – The school’s ballet company is invited to present the Nutcracker at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts on December 18, 19 and 20, 2009.
    Victoria Ballet Academy – Private School for Creative Children, Thornhill, ON | View School Profile

    Special Event | ABC MONTESSORI
    9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Our Annual Winter Concert will take place on December 18, 2009 at the Polish Cultural Centre situated at 4300 Cawthra Road. The concert will run from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon.
    Our event is also a fundraiser for World Vision. A portion of all ticket sales go to a worthy cause: World Vision activities in the third world.  Call 905.568.8989 for tickets.
    ABC Montessori, Mississauga, ON | View School Profile

    Saturday December 19

    Open House | VICTORIA BALLET ACADEMY
    6:30 – 8:30 p.m. The Nutcracker For Christmas – The school’s ballet company is invited to present the Nutcracker at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts on December 18, 19 and 20, 2009.
    Victoria Ballet Academy – Private School for Creative Children, Thornhill, ON| View School Profile

    Sunday December 20

    Open House | VICTORIA BALLET ACADEMY
    6:30 – 8:30 p.m. The Nutcracker For Christmas – The school’s ballet company is invited to present the Nutcracker at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts on December 18, 19 and 20, 2009.
    Victoria Ballet Academy – Private School for Creative Children, Thornhill, ON | View School Profile

    Monday December 21

    Winter Camp | HUMBER ARBORETUM WINTER NATURE CAMP
    Come join us for Winter camp. You can choose to come one day, two days or all three days. Ages 5-13 We have before and after care.
    There will be Nature Walks, Chickadee and Nuthatch Feeding, Tobogganing and Snowshoeing (if we have snow), Animal Tracking, Arts & Craft, games and lots of fun!!!!!! For more information see our website under
    the Nature programs or call 416-675-5009.
    Humber Arboretum Nature Camps, Toronto, ON | View Camp Profile

    Thursday December 31

    Application Deadline | CANADIAN BASEBALL HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM
    Camp Discount: Receive 10% off the camp if you register before Dec 31, 2009.
    Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum, St. Marys, ON | View Camp Profile