•The Gold & Blue • S p r i ng • 2 0 0 58 4 t h Se a s o nG l en Ber nard Camp A lumn i N ew s l e t t e r

Greetings GBCers!

Some exciting new developments mark the beginning of the2005 GBC season.

Fi rst , moun t a i nbi king is a newac t iv ity addit ion.C r o s s - c o u n t r ymountain biking isa fast - gr ow i n gsport, with a low-i m pact appr oac hthat fits well withour “l ive ligh tly”p h i l o s o p h y .Interesting trails arec urren tly underc o n s t r u c t i o nthrough the woods

beyond the lowr opes course and

Kosmos (earth education centre). Kevin Stewart is leadingthe mountain bike program. Kevin teaches Grade 7, 8 and 9Science at The York School in Toronto, and has a long asso-ciation as a camper and staff member at Kilcoo Camp.Kevin Stewart and Kate Horton celebrated their wedding atGBC in September 2003. Kate joined the ful l-time GBCstaff in October 2004.

Second is an addition to our AC (Assistant Counsellor) pro-gram. This summer, AC’s will have the option of earning aGrade 12 Physical Education credit through their work atcamp in July and August. Glen Bernard is currently becom-ing certified as an Ontario private school, for the purpose ofdelivering Ministry-approved credits within the context of atraditional camp environment. The AC credit course,Recreation and Fitness Leadership, integrates easily into theprogram already in place at GBC. For more on camping-education links, see the Alumni spotlight article on pagestwo and three.

Third, is a new approach to the organization and activities ofGlen Bernard Alumni.

Alumni have always been one of Glen Bernard’s mostvaluable assets. During my time as director, 28 years thissummer, the GBC Advisory Committee has provided excel-lent support and guidance to Glen Bernard. Their effortsand loyalty are of tremendous value to the camp, and to mepersonally. With new challenges ahead for camping, andmany alumni eager to stay in touch, this new structure facil-itates involvement in flexible and varied ways.

Going forward, GBC will grow from contributions ofAlumni in three key areas: i) Marketing of the benefits of acamp experience for young women; ii) providing Educationin a camp setting (the life lessons learned at camp, develop-ing curriculum links etc.); and iii) developing and leadingvarious events and communicating these and other details tothe Alumni.These various ideas for events needing leadership include:

•GBC 85th Anniversary Celebrations (in 2006)•Pub Night (or a new event to take its place) •Family Weekend in September•Alumni Canoe Trip•Alumni-organized GBC info sessions & slide shows forsmall groups – i.e. home, community centre or schoolparents’ association.

•Alumni Afternoon Tea•Business networking function for GBC Alumni•GBC teams to participate in charity runs, walks orother events

•An event for recent alumni •Regional GBC alumni reunions•Other new ideas

If you are interested and want to be involved in any of thesenew groups: Marketing, Education or Alumni Events andCommunication, please let me know. Return the EventsRegistration form in this newsletter with an indication ofyour preference. I encourage alumni who have not beeninvolved in the past to step forward with their ideas andenthusiasm– we would love to hear from you. Thank youfor your ongoing support of Glen Bernard. Joc Palm

Joc and Kate get set to go outside GBC’snew mountain bike building

We often remember lessons learned at camp, but who recalls les-sons taught? So many campers become amazing teachers. Thisissue’s Alumni Spotlight focuses on four GBCers who are profes-sional educators: Mary Milne Marshall has been involved in thefield for 17 years, first as an elementary teacher and most recentlyas Coordinator of Elementary Literacy for the Halton DistrictSchool Board. Judy Richards is Principal of a public elementaryschool in Mississauga and has been teaching for 23 years; KimPassi Delamere teaches JK/SK at a downtown Toronto school andJenny Hayden teaches English and modern Social Sciences at ahigh school in North Toronto. These are their thoughts:

G&B: How did your camp experience affect your decision to become ateacher?

JUDY: Camp provided me with a variety of leadership opportu-nities and a strong desire to develop my own skills and abilities. Ithoroughly enjoyed working with children and so teaching was anatural fit.

JENNY: I arrived at camp late – 19 years old. GBC provided aplace where I could develop the qualities that I am now mostproud of in myself as a person & teacher. It provided an escapefrom the summers in the city where I had stagnated workingretail and partying too much and gave me responsibilities that Iwas ready for, but hadn’t seen that I could handle. Camp made mesee how my biggest passion in life was to connect with people,especially kids, meaningfully. The GBC culture, with all of itsdemands and rewards, gave me confidence, creativity and skills inproblem-solving, communication and organization. It then gaveme practice bringing those traits out in others.

KIM: Camp provided me with many different teaching opportu-nities (teaching at activities, leading/teaching large groups ofcampers and staff, mentoring/supporting individual campers, plan-ning and orchestrating special programs etc.) and I loved each oneof them. I still get a “buzz” when an experience or lesson goesreally well—eyes light up around me and I hear and see evidenceof new learning. That “buzz” started at camp—that great feelingthat this was something I was good at and could love doing for acareer.

MARY: Through camp, I discovered that learning, and teaching,is fun and should remain so if children are going to continue towant to learn. I came to believe that school should become morelike camp. I felt teachers should approach learning opportunitiesin ways more similar to camp. It was this underlying belief thatinfluenced my decision to become a teacher. I have never regret-ted my decision to go into teaching, and I hope that I have beensuccessful in bringing some of what makes camp such a specialenvironment for learning into my work in education.

G&B: What did your camp experience teach you about how people learn?

JUDY: People learn in different ways and what works for oneperson may not work for another. Everyone learns at their ownspeed and the role of the teacher is to move them along the learn-ing continuum by meeting their individual needs, providing sup-port, encouragement, feedback and challenges. It is critical to teach

to the person’s strength and also recognize that the learner hasthings to teach the teacher!

JENNY: 1. People learn if their teachers are passionate & energetic2. People learn if they are working with those who want to trulyconnect with them.3. People learn in different ways, so use your creativity & non-tra-ditional methods to access them.

KIM: Wow, where do I start! When is there a moment at campwhen people aren’t learning!

Camp taught me that people learn best by DOING and Imean doing in a very broad sense: trying something new, express-ing an opinion, making a choice, joining in—I could go on andon… Campers experience and accomplish an unbelievable num-ber of things at camp; one reason is that camp provides an envi-ronment where campers feel safe to take risks and attempt newthings. They know that no matter what happens they will beaccepted for who they are, and valued for their individual abilities.

MARY: GBC taught me that the learning environment is criti-cal to the learning process. Learning occurs best in an environ-ment that is caring, safe, accepting, supportive, encouraging, stim-ulating and FUN! People learn best when they are encouraged toidentify what they want to learn and take ownership for thatlearning. The notion of providing choices for campers and staffplays a critical role in this aspect of learning. And finally, Ilearned that people learn best when they've experienced success!What I really learned is simply what our GBC Mission Statementis all about!

G&B: Who are/were some of your camp teaching role models and why?

JUDY: Joc Palm has been a role model for me since she becamethe director of Glen Bernard. One of the most important lessonsthat Joc taught me was the critical need for staff development andthis has become a major focus in my current practice as a princi-pal. It was Joc who started my professional library as a teacher andover the years we have shared great conversations around booksshe continues to add to this library. Joc is the consummateteacher.

JENNY: The people I learned from most were my fellow staffmembers who were creative, patient, enthusiastic and compassion-ate with their campers. I learned from those who could envisionand trouble-shoot every last detail of a program, those who hadthe patience to give a camper time enough and skills enough tofeel they had achieved a goal themselves, those who came up withfresh, new ideas or fresh, new ways of looking at old ideas, andthose who could read a camper’s needs and provide care for thatcamper.

KIM: My teaching role models were always staff members thatmade learning fun but who, more importantly, included everyonein the experience. They made sure they knew everyone in theircabin, in their section, at their table in the dining hall, or in theiractivity classes well and made an effort to connect with eachcamper and give them some personalized instruction, encourage-

Alumni SpotlightJudy Richards, Jenny Hayden, Kim Passi Delamere, and Mary Milne Marshall.

Alumni Spotlight

ment and feedback. I can remember those staff members who saidthings like “Why don’t you come down to canoeing today forCAT and we can work on your dock landings together?” Theymade me feel that I was important and that my success wasimportant to them.

MARY: Joc was the most influential teaching role model. Herunwavering belief in individuals to succeed and for us as staffmembers to find ways to support them in their learning is a pow-erful example. During my time on staff it was our personalresponsibility to ensure that campers and staff were learning - andhaving fun. Joc never lets a moment go by where she isn't look-ing for the learning.

Judy Richards was another influential camp teaching rolemodel of mine. She was one of those staff members who recog-nized campers’ and staff members’ potential long before they didand helped them see that they had the ability to do things farbeyond what they initially thought. Judy was able to look at thegoal she had in mind for an individual and plan a course of experi-ences that would get them there in the end. Combining highexpectations and a great sense of humour, Judy would successfullycoach the camper or staff member to the next destination.

G&B: What are the biggest challenges facing educators today?

JUDY: Human Resource issues are among the most significantchallenges facing public education at this time. Attracting andretaining a knowledgeable and diverse staff is a priority. As youmay be aware from the media, teachers who join the professiondo not necessarily see it as a vocation. In addition there is a needfor more male teachers in the elementary panel to act as rolemodels for students; in some boards there is a need for leadershipcandidates and there is a need for teachers in the system whoreflect the diverse cultural backgrounds of our students.

JENNY: 1. Figuring out how to balance the multi-faceted demands of

a teaching job and still stay sane and healthy. (Sounds like a sum-mer at camp, right?). If you want to tend to the whole child, asGBC makes us want to do, there are many, many facets requiringattention and time. Figuring out the balance between curriculumdelivery, evaluation, committee work, extra-curriculars, whilemaintaining a sense of self away from one’s job is tough.

2. Fostering healthy, tolerant human beings with globalawareness and understanding. Technology allows our students toknow more about the world than ever before. Yet we have to givethem the strategies and productive attitudes not only to cope withit, but also to be happy in it and to treat others with respect. Weknow what we most remember from school: not specific tasks;not a plot line or a formula. Rather, we remember who webecame, what we learned about ourselves and how we came tosee the world. Educators don’t create a person; they just have totry to create the environment where the person can successfullydiscover him or herself.

KIM: In a typical elementary classroom, there is a huge range ofabilities and needs. While this enriches the learning environ-ment, it is an ongoing challenge to try and meet all the students’needs in your classroom as class sizes remain high and in somecases, continue to grow. Challenges though, are what make jobsinteresting and rewarding!

MARY: Honouring and embracing the growing diversity of ourCanadian society. As we move more towards a global community,our students need opportunities to learn from and honour thediversity that exists within our own society. This deeper under-standing for individuals and their "stories" will inf luence how ourfuture Canadian society will benefit from our diversity.The second challenge is trying to prepare our current students fora future unlike anything we can even imagine. Our studentswill face a world where the advances in technology and the glob-alization of society will continue to increase the skills required tostay informed and involved. Educators have to seriously re-thinkcurrent curriculum with an eye to identifying the skills andprocesses students will need to be able to adapt to an ever-evolvingworld.

Thanks again to this issues’ contributors for sharing their perspec-tives. If you know of an alumnus or group of alumni who belongin the spotlight, please let us know (info@gbcamp.com).

Teachable moments at GBC cookouts. Then...

...and now.

Alumni Events 2005

Glen Bernard Camp2066 South Lake Bernard Rd.Sundridge, ONP0A 1Z0

Glen Bernard Camp206 Lord Seaton Rd.Toronto, OntarioM2P 1K9

phone : 416•225•4166fax : 416•225•6036email : info@gbcamp.comwebsite: gbcamp.com

phone : 705•384•7062fax : 705•384•0155email : info@gbcamp.com

2005Calendar of Events

Period 1 • Jun. 30-Jul. 20Period 2 • Jul. 22-Aug. 11Alumni canoe trip • Aug. 6-11Period 3 • Aug. 13-27Sept. weekend • Sept. 9-11Pub Night • Nov. 11

Period A(2 weeks) • Jun 30-Jul 13

One-Week Sessions:Period B • Jul. 14-20Period C • Jul. 22 - 28Period D • Jul. 29-Aug 4Period E • Aug 5-11

Alumni Canoe TripAugust 6-11, 2005

20 05 marks the10th anniversary ofthe Alumni CanoeTrip! Th is yea r,adven tur ous GBCt ri ppers will beheading back towhere it all began:

Temagami, the site of the first alumni trip in August1996. The route offers a wide variety of paddling (and,yes, a few portages) through some of Northern Ontario’smost scenic wilderness. Re-live your days as a GBCtripper, August 6 to 11, 2005.

The Fall Family WeekendSeptember 9-11, 2005

The Fall Family Weekend is scheduled for September 9-11, 2005. Alumni, campers, parents, family and friendsare invited to spend a weekend participating in campactivities and experiencing the magic of GBC! Activitiesinclude crafts, canoeing, kayaking, tennis, sailing, tram-poline, Jungle, swimming, songs, games and much more.The fee for the weekend ($175 per adult, $100 per childunder 12 years old, children under 2 are free) covers allactivities, meals, snacks and accommodation in campcabins. See you in September!

To sign up for the alumni canoe trip and/or theSeptember Weekend, please refer to the registration formin this newsletter.

Pub NightNovember 11, 2005

November 11, 2005 is GBC Pub Night at the Bow &Arrow Pub (1954 Yonge Street, Toronto). Come raise aglass with camp friends and catch up on GBC news.Everyone is welcome. If you would like an emailreminder about Pub Night, please indicate this prefer-ence on the Events Registration form.

Happy 85th Birthday GBC! Planing meeting: October 25, 2005

Glen Bernard’s 85th anniversary will be celebrated in2006. We are seeking enthusiastic planners to helporganize the festivities.Please come to the 85th Celebrations planning meeting,October 25th at 206 Lord Seaton Rd., Toronto (YongeSt. & York Mills Rd.) at 7:30pm.In the past, gold and blue anniversary celebrations haveincluded activities in Toronto and at camp. Help andideas are needed in all areas. Please indicate your inter-est on the Alumni Events Registration Form, includedin this newsletter.

We hope to see you there!

For further information on Alumni Events, pleasecontact 705-384-7062, or info@gbcamp.com.Information and registration details are also online at:www.gbcamp.com

GLEN BERNARD CAM P, S und rid ge, On t a rio. P 0 A 1Z0 Phone: (705) 384 -70 62 Fax: (705) 384 - 0155 • em a il: info @ g bca m p. com

Name: First...........................................Last..............................................Maiden.................................Years at Glen Bernard (if applicable): Camper........................................Staff..........................................Current Mailing Address:(street)....................................................................................................................................................(city).........................................................................(province/state)......................................................(country)...................................................................(postal/zip code)....................................................Phone........................................................email.....................................................................................Relative(s) currently attending GBC (if applicable):name..............................................................................age..................relationship.................................name..............................................................................age..................relationship.................................

1 0 t h A n n u a l A L U M N I C A N O E T R I P - August 6 - 11Please charge my credit card $335 (taxes included), as indicated belowI have enclosed a cheque for $335 (taxes included) payable to “Glen Bernard Camp Inc.”(Cheques may be post dated for July 1.)

S E P T E M B E R W E E K E N D - September 9 - 11$175 per adult, $100 per child under 12 years. (taxes included) Children under 2 years are free.A total of ................... adults and .................. children will be in our party.Please charge my credit card $......................as indicated belowI have enclosed a cheque for $......................Please make cheque payable to “Glen Bernard Camp Inc”.(Cheques may be post dated for July 1.)

8 5 T H A N N I V E RSA RY A L U M N I P L A N N I NG M E ET I NG - October 25I will be attending this Planning Committee Meeting at 7:30 at 206 Lord Seaton Rd.I am not able to attend this meeting but would like to be involved. Please contact me by email orphone after the meeting to let me know how I can contribute.

A L U M N I P U B N I G H T - November 11Please send me an email in November to remind me about the pub night.

CREDIT CARD PAYMENT INFORMATION FOR CANOE TRIP AND SEPTEMBER WEEKEND

VISA Card Number..........................................................Expiry....................

MASTERCARD Name on Card......................................................................................

Signature:..................................................................................

GBC Events Registration form

Event Registration for 2005

Contact Information

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Plea s e i nd ic a t e wh i c h o f t he fo l l ow i ng Even t s you w i l l a t t end :

We hope you will become an active member of the GBC Alumni! Please indicate your area of interest below. If you would like to have any further information or if you have ideas

that you would like to share, please contact 705-384-7062 or info@gbcamp.com

NAME:............................................................PHONE:................................EMAIL: ......................................

EDUCATION COMMITTEE:

Purpose: To support and advise Glen Bernard in the area of education-related activities and initiativesActivities Include: Developing and communicating the links between camping and education (life lessons learnedat camp, for example), and developing the educational components of the Glen Bernard Outdoor EducationProgram. Meetings: Twice a year, fall and spring.

MARKETING COMMITTEE:

Purpose: To support and advise on initiatives that market Glen Bernard and the value of a residential camp experience to prospective parents and campers.Activities Include: Defining markets, developing strategies, evaluating new opportunities.Meetings: Twice a year, fall and spring

ALUMNI EVENTS & COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE(Please indicate specific area(s) of interest below)

Purpose: To plan and lead events for GBC alumni; to communicate the details of these events and other relevantinformation about Glen Bernard (i.e. newsletters) to alumni.Meetings: As determined by the requirements of the various events/projects.Activities Include:Leadership for the following alumni events & activities (please indicate preference):

Pub Night

September Weekend

Alumni Newsletter

A committee to assess and lead other potential alumni activities, including:Alumni Afternoon TeaBusiness networking function for GBC AlumniGBC teams to participate in charity runs, walks or other eventsAn event for younger alumni who have just left GBCRegional GBC alumni reunionsOther new ideas

Alumni Committee Registration form