Director's Thoughts  by Joe Richards, Administrative Director

Archives 2006

24th, April 2008

Wow - summer is coming fast.  We are starting some of our spring staff next week and school groups start to arrive next week as well!  How exciting.

The summer is looking amazing.  We are trying out some new programs this summer - summer tobogganing and running some of our smaller camps out of the Pearce Hall, the big top and the wagons - for an amazing new experience.

We are so looking forward to having the summer get under way!

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

4th, April 2008

So it has been a long time.  I am much better at adding posts to my camp informaion website: www.yoyojoe.com.  I am working with a program called Wordpress for the yoyojoe site and I really like it an what it can do.  I am slowly working away on creating a Pearce Williams website using wordpress so that our website can step into the next generation.

Since February lots has happened.  We have had our annual general meeting, low turn out of about 15 people, but good conversations had at the meeting.

We have gone through our first full audit with an accountant.  Up until this year we have always had our finances reviewed, but to apply for larger grants there are many granting organizations that require the fully audited financial statements - which is only good for us and helps us to ensure that our finances are totally transparent to our supporters.

We are now a Member Agency of the United Way.  Our summer camp program recievd $20,000 in funding to help make up our $60,000 deficit that we run each year to provide our summer camp.

Pearce has also introduced a three tier payment program for parents.  It is working well so far.

I'm off to a meeting of the National Camping Task Group of the United Church of Canada.  This task group is set to help determine what is best for the over 65 United Church Camps in Canada.  It should be interesting.

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

7th, February 2008

I have spent this week in British Columbia as the keynote speaker at the British Columbia Camping Association's Annual Conference.  What an amazing time to talk to people in a province that has only two private camps - the rest are agency and mainly religiously affiliated.

All of the same challenges and opportunities that we have in Ontario as a camp, they are experiencing out here as well.

Beautiful location - Stillwood Camp and Convention Centre - nestled in the mountains just west of Abbotsford, B.C.

Long day of travel ahead of me - I don't land in London until 6am tomorrow morning.  But it has been worth it.

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

30th, January 2008

The weather sure was strange this morning.  The wind and the blowing snow - it is a beautiful chaos..

I don't get the people who always complain about the weather - and I mean always - you know the people who complain when it is too cold, too hot, too rainy, too sunny, too humid, too, too, too!  Have we gotten to that point in our society that we are never just comfortable with what is happening now and accept that what is happening is suppose to happen.  I don't see dogs complain about the weather.

My brother recently moved to New Zealand and has started a new life - a life that is not based on the North American ideal of being, but based on the ideal of just being present in every moment.

A lesson that we can all use from time to time.

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

17th, January 2008

I hope that everyone is well.  Life at camp is slow, working on the summer dates - (which are up, just click camp above to see more), grants and staffing.

I want to share with you a project that I've set out for myself this year.  It is called 100 Photos A Day.  Since January 1st, I have been taking at least 100 photos a day and publishing them online.  The purpose of the project is...well, I'm not quite sure...

Check it out:  www.yoyojoe.com/100photos

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

7th, January 2008

Happy New Year to everyone.  I hope that you all had a safe and happy Christmas season and had a great New Years celebration.

Just back in the office after some time off, did lots of tobogganing and playing outside.  The snow is all gone now - a high of 12 degrees today! 

The office is working on the dates for next summer and the registration form and staff hiring.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

21st, December 2007

This looks to be the final post for 2007.  We are in the process of changing over our web site to a new design. 

Merry Christmas to all.  Pearce Williams thanks you all for your support and belief in what we do.

I wish you the best over the Christmas holidays and a safe holiday as well.

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

6th, December 2007

Christmas is right around the corner. Are you ready?

I'm not sure if I am ready.  So many things to do.  The United Way application is due by the end of next week and I still need to find presents for Jen and the kids...

I'm also looking at redoing the web site and so I'm dealing with some computer issues about transferring information.

I went for a hike yesterday with Matthew.  After Matthew go off the bus, he and I went to the start of the Directors Trail and then out into the creek bed that lies to the north.  We hiked up the hill on the north side of the creek and I was amazed at how much space is over there that we, as a camp, never use.  It is always interesting to hear people say that they know the every inch of the property, but 180 acres is a lot of inches...  It was just nice to walk and listen to the imagination of a 5 year old.  It ended up being a hunt for the perfect TreeHouse tree for Matthew.  (My thought - if the Gator can't get to the tree, unlikely that I'll build a treehouse in it...)

The weather is great - nice and cold, start of snow base - hopefully we will have some more snowfall for the hills...

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

28th, November 2007

How a month can go by with very little to say, but lots to do.

Staff interviews where held on November 24th - thank you to both Ron Fentie and Rebecca Wheeler for helping out with the interviews.  We had a great day and saw lots of great potential staff for the summer of 2008.

We are currently finalizing the dates and cost for the summer of 2008 and getting the Longhouse letter ready to go out by the end of the week this week or early next week.  If you want to get a copy of the Longhouse Letter emailed out to you just let me know by emailing me at: joe@pearcewilliams.org.

The Christmas season is on us - remember the reason that Christmas is celebrate as we go through the motions of preparing for gift giving. 

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

9th, November 2007

I have had a very interesting week.  I spent all day Tuesday on the train, traveling from London to Montreal.  I was then picked up and brought to the Hotel Mont Gabriel in the Laurentian Mountains for the Quebec Camping Conference.  What a great way to meet new people.  I should really have brushed up on my French - it didn't hit me until I was on the train that I would be at a conference where I didn't speak the language fluently. 

It is interesting that the camping professionals in Quebec are very isolated if they don't speak English.  I have the ability to attend any camping conference in North America and 99.9% of them will be in english.  If they don't speak english - they are limited to the Quebec Camping Conference each year.  I felt privileged to participate and be asked to present.  You can see the information that I presented at www.yoyojoe.com.

I'm on the train tonight at 5pm and get back to London at 1:15am - looking forward to the quiet hum of the train on the rails as the world passes by.

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

2nd, November 2007

So the fall has really arrived - frost on the ground and breath in the air.

On November 24th, we are having our returning staff interview day at First United Church in St. Thomas.  If you were on staff last year or a CIT last year, you will want to make every effort to attend the interview day if you plan on returning.

We are getting ready for next summer - the brochure is in the works, we are looking at doing registrations online this year to help with missing information and parent agreements - still in the planning stages with this.

Let us know what you think about the director's thoughts - what do you want to hear about?

Here is a picture for you of our new wetlands project with Ducks Unlimited - digging should start in the next couple of weeks...

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

26th, October 2007

Twice in one week - I don't want you to get use to this.  I'm off to a conference tomorrow for United Church Camping.  It's been a busy week - a sick kid, a volunteer seminar and quotes for Trillium Grant applications.

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

22nd, October 2007

Have you looked outside today?  What a beautiful day to be at camp.  I can hear the wind in the trees and the leaves blowing across the sidewalk.  I can smell fall in all of it's beauty.  I think I will work outside this afternoon, I need to enjoy the weather before it turns wet and cool.

Planning for next summer and looking for grant money is taking up much of my time at this point.  I'm trying to figure out ways to attract more campers to our summer camp program.  This summer we were down in camper numbers.  The majority of our campers come from St. Thomas and Elgin County, and the economic outlook for our region is not the best.  There were many layoffs and plant shutdown's over the summer - all which affect our summer camper numbers.

I am searching for ways to attract more campers from outside of the St. Thomas and Elgin area.  I have agreed to print advertising in two major camping publications - the Our Kids Go to Camp magazine - distributed by the Globe and Mail through Ontario; and the Canada Camps for Parents - distributed through the Toronto Star in Ontario.  Both of these will put the Pearce Williams name in front of many parents who have not seen us before; it will also show them the difference in price between us and many of the Toronto based camps.  Will it work?  Time can only tell.

I'm going to finish up some things this morning in the office and spend the afternoon gathering picnic tables and other outdoor things that need to be put away here at camp.

I hope that you all get a chance to smell the leaves and walk through a forest this fall.

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

5th, October 2007

Into the fall we go.  The weather is so amazing.  I spent some time yesterday taking down our archery netting for the winter.  When I was up at Stump Clearing and just sitting there listening to the world - it totally reminded my why I do what I do.  Nature is at the center of spirituality for me.  There is nowhere that I feel closer to God than in nature.

We hope to see you all at our Beef Dinner on Sunday, October 14th from 4:30pm to 7:00pm.  We are still looking for people to volunteer and help serve, set and do dishes - you even get a free BBQ Beef Dinner out of it.  Let me know if you are interested.

I'm off to a fall fair this weekend, family tradition.

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

20th, September 2007

Busy, busy, busy...

It is surprising how much we would think that Pearce would slow down in September after a busy summer, but now is the time of meetings, grants and rentals.

We are planning for next summer - organizing programs and costs.  We are looking ahead to grants for additional funding to make up for our subsidized rates.

I am excited to be planning also to speak at both the Quebec Camping Association conference in November and the British Columbia Camping Association conference in February.  It is a good feeling that someone wants to hear what you have to say.  I do a number of talks and presentations - based around camp, marketing, creativity and the general thought that "Camp Changes Lives".

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

7th, September 2007

What do you believe?  It is a strong question that I asked in the last posting.  Here are some of the responses from our summer staff:

I believe:

• The past is the past, let things go and carry on. Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
• In the magic of camp. I believe that is is a place where everyone can be equal and everyone can learn compassion, inclusiveness and can gain confidence in their own abilities. Through camp, people learn anything is possible, if only you believe.
• In God, smiles, happiness, friendship and love.
• In friends forever; people that have each others back no matter what they do or say, they will always love them.
• In music.
• In helping the physically and mentally handicapped enjoy life.
• The number one most important thing in life is to love and truly love your family and friends!
• That everyone should be given the chance to dream (no matter what it is) and then strive to make it reality. Never give up!
• In sticking up for your friends and your beliefs. Don't let things bottle up inside, get over it.
• The power of a single smile in someone's life! A smile can brighten anyone's day.
• In hope.
• That your past makes you stronger and obstacles are just God's way of keeping you on your toes.
• In being in the outdoors and being able to be part of it.
• That people should live for themselves and not others. Why should you care what people think when you have to change yourself to please them. it only matters what people think when they matter to you. It's one of the things I try to live by.
• In connections between people. No matter how different two people might seem there will always be something they share.
• That everyone, whether sad or happy, should express themselves and the way they feel about a certain thing or just in general.
• In equality among all – a common ground where no individual is treated different from another.
• That water should be available to everyone in the world.
• That every person is entitled to their own opinions and should be able to express them…

Interesting thoughts from the summer staff of 2007.

A couple of events are coming up - on Wednesday, September 12th we are entering a team in the Fire Truck Pull Kick-Off event for the United Way of St. Thomas.  It is our hope that we have a strong showing of support for Pearce Williams so that the United Way see's how much the community supports Pearce Williams.  We are applying for funding from the United Way again this year to help make up the difference in what we charge for a week of camp and what it actually cost to have a camper at camp for a week of camp.

Hope to see you there.

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

24th, August 2007

To believe in something is the most important thing...

You can tell those who believe in what they do, from those who just do what they do to get through.  

Sometimes it scares me to see the complacency in people's eyes, to see them give in to the power of the must dos, the power of expectations of others.  What I say is to believe with all you heart in at least one thing. Then spend your time helping others believe in the truth and beauty of that which you believe.  There are times in my life where I have felt like I have given in and not fought hard enough for what I believed.  There will always be those times do not get discouraged.  Get up again and reaffirm your belief in what is right.  Then move forward.

I believe in camp.  I believe in the power of children.  I believe in creativity. I believe in true love.  I believe in the power of one to change to the world.  I wish for everyone to see the beauty of a sunset in the Canadian wilderness. I want to help others discover the power of camp to affect lives of campers and staff alike.  I hope that all children have the experience of camp, the positive experience of camp.

I have seen many campers come and go over the past 15 years working at camp.  I have had bad days at camp, but I have had many more good days, in fact amazing days.  Days where I can not believe that I am paid to play outside all summer.  Days where the one smile from the homesick camper is all that matters.  Days where everything goes right and the sun sets and I know all is right with the world.

Harry Chapin, the singer of Cats in the Cradle, told a story about his grandfather.  In this story his grandfather talked of good tired versus bad tired.  He said that there are days when everything goes right and you succeed, but you are working on someone else's dreams and hopes and when you go home at night you toss and turn because you are not satisfied, this is bad tired.  Then there are days where you fail, but you are fighting for your hopes and your dreams and when you lay down at night to go to sleep you sleep the sleep of the just, that is good tired.

Find something to believe in.  Once you find it, fight for it, dream about it and make it your life to improve it and show others why they should believe in it.

Just a thought...

“Everything is possible to those who believe” Mark 9:23

What do you believe?

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

11th, August 2007

Primary Camp ended yesterday and what a good time it was.  We had 65 primary campers; for many of them it was there first time at camp.  What a powerful introduction to summer camp. It is such a great experience to see the look on the young campers faces as they experience all of the things that camp has to offer.

The summer is almost done, we have two weeks left in our summer, and then one more Vacation Bible School at First United in St. Thomas. It is odd how much we plan for the summer and then how fast it goes by.

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

25th, July 2007

Have I ever mentioned how time flies during the summer.  We are now finished our first three weeks of the summer and are on a little break.  Girl's Camp and Boy's Camp start this coming Sunday.  I'm trying to take some down time and just relax.

The first three weeks have been amazing.  We have had some great campers who have left us all with amazing memories.  Our staff is doing great and we are proud of all they have done.

Summer is a time where I often get lost in the day to day running's of camp, with little thought given to other things; it has been this way for years.  I always look forward to the summer because of that.  I love being so immersed in something that all else seems to fall by the wayside - if only for the summer.  I take it as a sign that I'm doing what I am suppose to be doing.  There are many difficult decisions that are made at camp, and there are many easy decisions that are made.  I have found that if I take into consideration what is in the best interest of the campers then my decisions usually are made much more clear.

I will try and update more...but no promises.

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

22nd, June 2007

Just two days until the summer staff arrive for training.  There seems to be lots of people who have exams on Monday, but that is fine.  We are very excited for the summer to finally arrive and get started on making the best staff team possible.

Unfortunate news - we have cancelled Wilderness Camp I due to low registrations.  The other six Wilderness Camps are filling up nicely, but with 5 campers it is hard to run a wilderness program.  Our camper registration is up from 2006 at this point and we are looking forward to a great summer.

Please let your friends know that there is still space at camp this summer.

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

14th, June 2007

It is almost the summer time.  I have been spending the past couple of days trying to figure out the summer weeks for our staff.  It is always such a difficult task.  Who gets what weeks? Who doesn't get as many?  There are a number of factors for me in choosing who gets what weeks and all of the factors include, but are not limited to: choosing the best staff for our campers; pairing staff up with other staff who they will work well with; blending a mix of first year staff with older staff; what are the skills that our staff have shown so far.

We evaluate our staff from the moment they first come to us for training.  We evaluate their level of enthusiasm, their level of commitment and their overall attitude.  If a staff is not paying attention during training - then what will they be like when they are leading?

I got some exciting news yesterday - I have been asked to be the Key Note speaker at the British Columbia Camping Association Conference in February of 2008.  I feel very hounoured that my little web site, www.yoyojoe.com, has lead some people to find me and ask me to speak.  I think one of the coordinators saw me speak at the Ontario Camping Association Conference last February and thought I would do well as a Keynote out west.  Very exciting indeed.

I received an email just the other day from an old camper of mine who has worked at various camps over the past number of years.  This camper is part of a story I do tell when I do talks - a story about what people remember most about being a camper.  The thought process is - the more someone remembers about being a camper - the better staff they will be.  I ask this question when I talk and at one talk, as I was listening to some people from the audience tell me their memories - a voice in the back of the room yelled out, "I remember getting a hug from you, Joe!"  It was certainly moving.  This young gentleman has now gone on to become a Camp Director.  You never know when one moment at camp can change a life.

Come & See.

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

25th, May 2007

What a beautiful day!

Camp is moving along - we are very excited about our staff training next weekend and especially our Camp Open House.

Our Camp Open House & Bursary BBQ is on from 3pm to 6pm on June 3rd, 2007.  There is a free will offering taken and any funds raised will go toward our Bursary Fund for this summer.

So bring yourself and your family to our Open House.

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

18th, May 2007

Often I feel that my mind plays tricks on myself.  I though that I had updated this last week - but I think it was all the excitement of getting ready for the work bee.

Camp is looking great - the spring staff have done a great job helping Dave get camp ready for the summer.  The work bee was important in all of this as well, thank you to all who came and helped out.  We had a great turn out from First United and some from Central United as well.  Almost all of our summer staff where out for the Work Bee.

Have a great long weekend.

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

1st, May 2007

Time flies when you are having fun. 

I'm in the middle of a building kick right now.  I have been spending time building games and things for camp.  Doing this always gets me excited about the summer.  So far I have made and/or had others help make: stilts, ladder golf, Corn Toss Game.  I'm also working on a spinart machine and a couple of rocket launcher designs for use at camp.

I have also just finished the Spring Edition of the Longhouse Letter - Pearce Williams Newsletter. 

Spring Staff start next Monday - lots of work to get camp ready for the summer.  School groups start coming out as early as the 10th of May! 

Lot's going on.

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

20th, April 2007

Youth Forum is in this weekend.  I watched a bit of one of the gatherings this morning and it looks like it will be another great weekend for youth forum. 

Camp is moving along.  I attended two seminars this week - one on tourism and one on grant writing.  Both seminars where very informative and useful, lots of great ideas and thoughts. 

I also planted 180 trees on our site this week.  We are reclaiming some of our grass in the valley and returning it to forest.  We are also getting ready for our wetlands project in the valley.

This looks to be a great weekend.  Hope that you all have some fun outside.  If you don't believe in the power of getting outside and especially of children being outside please read: Last Child in the Woods : Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder - we need to get the children to spend more time outside playing - unstructured play.

Talk to you soon,

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

12th, April 2007

Where does the time go?  I thought that I'd pay more attention to updating this page weekly when I put it on my Outlook calendar and it tells me every Friday to update it - but apparently I don't pay attention to that...

The Longhouse project looks amazing!  It is great.  A big thank you needs to go out to St. Paul's and all of their volunteers who spent time working that weekend or planning or donating.  If we could somehow get 3 to 4 churches on board to help us with renovation projects like that - then Pearce would certainly be able to grow.  Our rental groups notice the improvements more than the campers - but it is the rental groups that we need to keep coming back to help fund our summer program.

Buckeye Leadership Workshop was amazing.  It was such a great time to get to know some great people from across the USA and have them share their experiences and knowledge.  It is in my plans to take a couple of staff down each year.

I'm off to Toronto for a board meeting for the Ontario Camping Association.  It feels great to be able to help shape the future of camping in Ontario. 

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

18th, March 2007

March Break camp has come and gone.  A big thank you to Kix, Suplex and Kosco for all their hard work.  I took the week off to be at home with my family, could the weather change anymore from the beginning of one week to the end?

I am off Ohio on Wednesday morning for a camping conference with Wowo & BoPeep.  It is an opportunity to learn from a different group of people.

We are excited that the Longhouse Renovation project will be happening this weekend.  I'm not sure that we can thank St. Paul's United in Alymer enough, but we will see what we can do.  I'm excited to be going away and then come to see it completed on Monday morning.

Best wishes to all.

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

1st, March 2007

Here comes the summer.

March is the magical month where the summer is closer than it is further away from last summer.  Now I know that the summer is coming.

The weather today needs some work - March did come in like a Lion.  But camp is good - we are hoping that the snow stays around for our March Break Fun Camp.  March Break is filling up faster now so if you want a spot please get in touch with our office.

Have a great weekend.

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

23rd, February, 2007

It seems that Geocaching is really picking up speed. We introduced geocaching to camp starting in January of 2006 - campers love it.  It is a great way to get people outside and discovering new and exciting places.

Here are a couple of stories about geocaching for your interest:

Treasure hunt gets an update

GPS units let families find a way

We are expanding our GPS program this summer to be something that all campers will do and hopefully learn how to use a GPS unit, a compass and map.

Things are good at camp.  Our Annual General Meeting is next Monday, February 26th at 7pm at First United Church, we would love you to attend to find out about how our finances did last year and our plans for the future.

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

16th, February, 2007

Valentines day has come and gone.  I attended the Ontario Camping Association's (OCA)Annual Conference last weekend in Toronto. I now sit on the Board of Directors for the OCA.  It is an exciting position to help shape the camping industry in Ontario.

Camp planning is going well.  Our March Break camp is slowly filling.  We are looking forward to a great March Break camp with lots of new and exciting activities as well as lots of your favorite activities.

Kix will be running March Break camp with Kostco & Suplex. Fun, fun, fun!

The tobogganing hills are covered with snow and ready to go.  If you are coming out just call and let us know and sign one of our forms in the blue mailbox by the office.

It is a winter wonderland.  Beautiful

Remember that you are all invited to attend our Annual General Meeting on February 26th, 2007 at First United Church starting at 7pm.

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

5th, February, 2007

A busy couple of weeks - getting out the camp brochure and the staff contracts.  That is no excuse for not updating the web site and keeping all of the devoted readers up-to-date with what is going on at Pearce Williams.

We have snow - and very cold temperatures.  I was out tobogganing on the smaller hills by my house yesterday for about 1/2 an hour.  It was great.  I don't know how well the big hills have been covered.

The summer brochure is out and we are getting registrations already.  We have kept all of February for returning campers.  This means that we will be holding spots for our returning campers until the end of February.  At the beginning of March we will register any new campers.  This is most important for wilderness camps and all girls week.

If you have any questions please let me know.

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

18th, January, 2007

We had our winter family picnic last Sunday - only two families came out for an afternoon of board games and puzzles.  We had fun with the group that was out and the Longhouse was full of friendship and fellowship.

Then we had ice come on Sunday night and it has stayed all week long.  Here is a photo for you to see the beauty of Pearce in January.

It is truly wondrous when the sun shines on forest.  God blesses us with small pleasures.

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

12th, January, 2007

First week of work for 2007 is almost done.  Lots got done this week.  We have contacted the majority of our staff who we would like to return.  We have finalized the summer brochure for this summer.  It will be printed and mailed out to everyone over the next couple of weeks.  We are also making preparations for our Annual General Meeting in February.

We are currently starting our search for new Board Members.  We have some openings on the board for new members who would like an opportunity to help make Pearce Williams a better place.  The board works directly with me in decision making for the Centre.  The board also works on Visioning and planning where we want Pearce Williams to go and what we want to accomplish.  If you are interested in finding out more about the board and potentially get an application for becoming a board member please email me at: joe@pearcewilliams.org

This year is off to a great start.  Please let me know if you have any questions or comments you would like to make or want me to talk about on this thoughts page.

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe

8th, January, 2007

Happy New Year to all!

Just got back into the office today after taking a break.  Spent lots of time with my family, and visited with old camp friends.

Well, back at it - Pearce Williams is gearing up for our summer programs.  I am working on staffing and getting information out to the staff who attended the interview day in November - thank you for your patience.  We already have over 5 applications for our CIT program this year, so if you know any youth who are 15 by July 1, 2007 - let them know that we have a great CIT program and we are looking for great CIT's to put through it.

We are having our "Winter Family Picnic" this Sunday, January 14th from 4pm to 7pm.  Feel free to come and spend some time at camp in the Longhouse.  We will be tobogganing if there is snow... which there will probably not be.  We will have lots of games set up in the Longhouse and just spend some time socializing.  Dinner is served around 5:30pm.  Donations are appreciated for attending.

I'm excited to get the summer going.  Make sure that you spread the word to people - invite them to come and see what Pearce Williams has to offer.

Gnothi Seauton,

Joe