As we share our final days together with our Garden Week
guests here at Camas, it seems valuable to take a step back and reflect on our
previous two weeks of Staff Training. What seems like ages ago, five new
volunteers arrived at the end of the track, unsure of what lay ahead, but also
carrying hope and excitement for the joys and challenges of the upcoming
season. These five new faces added to the six already here, and suddenly we had
ourselves a brand new community.
The first few days were jam-packed with learning and
adventure, as we learned and re-learned the subtle nuances of leading the
various outdoor activities offered here at Camas. This was followed by some key
first aid training, lest anything go horribly wrong during any of said activities.
This set the stage for another week further of bonding and
growing together as a community, while we absorbed some of the finer ins and
outs of life at Camas. Of course, we couldn’t take ourselves too seriously, and
made sure to include time to practice our wild camping skills relax at
Knockvologan Beach, stranding ourselves on an island while blissfully unaware of the
rising tide. And who could forget our informative session on the daily life of
Camas, brought to us by the hip-hop stylings of the one and only MC Ab McFab.
But far more than the training, learning, and unexpected
celebrity guest appearances, I’m struck by the people who made this time all
that it was. We have an incredible team supporting each other here, showing a
willingness to be vulnerable, put themselves out there, and give what it takes to
make this season a success. We’re also deeply grateful for the many people who
made the long journey down the track to give their time to support our
training: for our guest instructors Kenny, George, and Chris, and for our
wonderful cooks Rachel, Kathy, Jonny, Roz, Bex, and Jean. Each one not only
contributed their time, energies, and wisdom, but also gave of themselves as a gift
and welcomed addition to our community.
Now that our time of training has come to a close, we can only
hope and pray that it’s been enough to prepare us for all that is to come. Time
will tell, but I have a sneaking suspicion that this team will be ready to meet
every challenge head on, together, as the Camas staff of 2017.
