Hey Lub,
What a summer this was for Grant!
We knew that Grant was going to have a great time at camp this summer….but we totally underestimated the impact that it would have on him.
We knew he loved going to camp, but this summer was amazing…..he truly came home 10 feet taller. We were a bit nervous dropping him off; he wasn’t going with any special friends, he didn’t know anyone in his cabin. What’s amazing is that none of those things mattered in the end. He just loves CAMP. He seemed to embrace every bit of the camp experience. He loved all the songs, he loved his canoe trip, he loved the food, he loved the activities, he LOVED the Olympics, and he loved the staff – he loved ALL of it.
For a kid who isn’t particularly “sporty” and who isn’t necessarily a typical boy, winning the Parloff for his team at the Olympics was a life altering event. He regularly refers to his Parloff experience and is now doing cross country for the first time. His 15 minutes of Kilcoo fame during Grand Council made him feel so special and he has LOVED all the comments from other campers – thank you for recognizing him in that way.
We’ve always known that Kilcoo was a special place, but I can’t tell you how much joy it gives us to see the enormous impact it has had on Grant. Thank you for all that you do to make it such a wonderful, safe place.
We would be remiss if we didn’t also thank you for family camp. It was the icing on the cake for Ken and I. We had such a blast and loved seeing Grant in his element. Looking forward to enjoying that tradition for many years to come!
You rock.
Lub,
As you know - I didn’t attend Kilcoo as a camper….and although I have some obviously familiarity with Kilcoo as a former Camp Awakening staffer and as the father of a current camper…I’ve never fully understood the magic of Kilcoo until I attended family camp at the end of August.
It was remarkable to be able to relive some great camp-like moments (campfire, skit night, meals in a dining hall, morning dip, etc). But to do this through the eyes of my own kids was pretty special.
The 3 days we spent at camp was awesome…but parts were hard to describe. We had some great adventures that are easy to understand (i.e. doing the ropes course as a family). But we also had some wonderful moments that are a little more abstract…but no less wonderful. Watching our kids come to life during Kilabaloo…or watching Grant do flips off the tower…or hearing the joy that he seems to bring to camp from the staff who know him was a little surreal and truly unbelievable!!!
You seem to have instilled in your staff this innate ability to find, nurture and pull out special qualities in each individual child…and then celebrate those qualities. This has had such a positive impact on the confidence of Grant and on his love of camp life. I couldn’t be more happy to have a son be a part of such an inclusive, embracing, challenging and supportive place….and I couldn’t me more proud of the way Grant has embraced camp life.
Thank you!!!
After family camp I now feel like I know what it feels like to be a Kilcoo camper…and although I wish I went there as a kid…I am definitely looking forward to going back next year!
Thanks,
Kenny
Dear Lub,
I couldn’t let any more time go by before I sent you a letter of immense thanks for the month (who knew!?) of camp that Elliot experienced this summer. After thinking that just maybe we had come to the sad end of every thrilling story, experience, and skill that Elliot shared with us over the past two weeks at the cottage, he rallied with several new stories this morning. I could listen to these stories all day long. It’s not just the content or his delivery but the joy and mischevious little sparkle in his eye that this dude brings with the telling of every one of them. Kilcoo really is ‘Shangri-la for boys’ as Wally described on our way home from Visitor’s Day. After we left camp that day- I won’t lie, with a happy tear or two in my eyes- I immediately fell asleep in the car feeling overwhelmed by how awesome the day had been and how happy Elliot was. Despite my love of the post-event debrief, I needed a bit of time to come down off my high before I could process the day!
Wally told me for years about Kilcoo and the impact it had on this life- it was one of the defining experiences of a fairly crazy childhood (80 years ago, as we like to tease him). People always remark about what a great guy Wally is and I know for a fact that his time at Kilcoo is one of the central contributing factors- he says so himself all the time. We visited Kilcoo twice before this summer and each time I said “What is it about this place?” I went to camp myself but it was nothing like Kilcoo. Many people asked us the very same question numerous times this summer when Elliot was away and the answer this time was easy- the people. There is simply no other explanation for it. There is something uniquely special about Kilcoo that you and your family as well as those before have created, something that we are so proud is a central part of who Elliot is and will be in the future. We tell him every night that he is the best guy in the world and Kilcoo seems like the ultimate place for guys like that.
So here are a few things I’ve noticed about Elliot (or P.S. “Pure Skill” Elliot or Gabe) since he’s been back. For an already confident guy, his confidence has quadrupled (the other night he rather impressively sang Kilcoo camp songs for a group of us gathered around a campfire). Impossible to believe, but he’s even cooler than before he left. He seems taller, stronger, more mature. His sense of humour, which was already on constant display, is even more pronounced. He is more comfortable with the types of sports he truly enjoys. His dominant interests have not typically been in organized team sports though he’s always been athletic and a lover of more extreme sports- Kilcoo has given him the opportunity to shine in so many different areas. He is more outgoing with strangers and more polite (table manners excluded). But, most importantly, for a guy who is always happy, he’s even happier. And, he’s not burnt (thank you for helping to implement the ‘regime’ so effectively!!)!!
Our eldest daughter will be a semi next year at Camp Oconto and Elliot said the other day that he wants to be a counselor at Kilcoo one day. I can’t think of a better goal for him to have! He loved Jimbo, Boyd and Drew as well as all of his cabin mates. Thank you so much for Elliot’s phenomenal experience- it was everything we hoped for and a couple of weeks more!!
Until next year!!
Alison and Wally
P.S. Every Sunday since he left, he has worn his Kilcoo uniform for the day- now that’s commitment!!
Hi Phil,
Hope that first semester at school is going well! I think that you're at Queens....I went to law school there and loved it.
We received Matthew's progress report from Camp last week, and want to thank you for all of your great leadership of Cabin 4. Matt had an amazing time, and just loves Kilcoo. Your leadership was a big part of the wonderful experience that he had this year. Kilcoo is a very special place for Matt, and he has learned a lot. Thank you as well for your thoughtful comments in his progress report. You clearly got to know him well, and your experiences with him are consistent with what we see at home. He is a wonderful little boy (although of course we are biased:), and we are thankful that he has had such good mentors and role models at Kilcoo, like yourself.
Enjoy the school year; hopefully you will be back at Kilcoo next summer.
All the best,
Chantelle and Peter
Lub, I can't thank you enough for the opportunity you gave to our son this summer. Although it was tough for us all we did survive! In the time that he spent at camp he became much more appreciate of everything we do for him, no matter how small something that is given to him now he always shows his appreciate and always says "thanks". I know it may seem small, and he did used to say thanks sometimes, but he says it every time now and I know it's because of camp Kilcoo and the surrounding people he spent his time with. It's amazing the changes that can happen in such a short time. Of course I am tearing up while writing this because it was a very generous offer that you gave not only our son, but our whole family and we will be forever grateful for what you have done. We have never met someone so caring and understanding as yourself. You truly are in the right calling in this life.
I just wanted to drop you a line to let you know how much this meant to us.
Thanks for everything!
Kim
Hi Lub,
We hope that you've had a great Fall so far.
We want to thank you very sincerely for the wonderful experience that you, the counsellors, and everyone at Kilcoo have given our son Matthew. He loves Kilcoo, and it has definitely become a cornerstone of his identity and growth. When we signed him up 3 years ago, we hoped that he would make strong friendships, develop independence, learn life lessons and spend extended time in nature. Matt's experiences at Kilcoo have exceeded all of our expectations, and we want to express our appreciation!
We will of course be registering Matt for August, 2011 and look forward to speaking then, if not before
All the best,
Chantelle and Peter
As a parent I wish to thank you personally for making Griffin’s experiences at Kilcoo so positive and life altering! Griffin is a great loving kid who loves life and people but can be very quiet and somewhat tentative about trying new things or venturing into unknown territory; we are beginning to see him emerge into a more self assured; responsible and independent 11 year old. We believe that the time he has spent at Kilcoo has attributed to this confidence and has made him flourished and we as parents can’t be happier.
Griff has now spent 2 years at Kilcoo as a 2 week camper during the first two weeks of August. When we picked Griffin up after his first 2 week experience our 2 hour drive home was filled with nonstop stories about his experiences; his dad and I just looked each other in awe.....we had never heard Griffin talk so much and for so long about anything. This was a relief for us as I was so tentative about sending my baby off for two weeks all by himself.....without me (he had only ever been away from me when invited to a friend’s for sleepovers etc). In the weeks that followed after Griffin’s experience at Kilcoo we listen to his stories; his songs and we poured over his book about Kilcoo that he had purchased from the tuck shop. We were elated that Griffin had really found his thing! Hence the grade 5 speech....he had to do it on Kilcoo to share with his classmates just how much fun he had!!!
Griffin knew he wanted to go back to Kilcoo this year but he wasn’t sure if he was ready for the whole month experience so he decided to opt for the 2 week session once again. When we arrived at Kilcoo...I was so excited to see my little man and he was excited to see us too; however I noted a hesitation in him. He was happy to see us but he didn’t want to leave!!! He whispered in my ear, MOM I am so coming for a month next year! Wow...a month I said...my heart strings went into spasm; but just to see in my son’s eyes that love and pure joy he had when we walk around the camp (his camp) to show us around his cabin; his camp fire area and all the other experiences he so enjoyed. I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed and overjoyed that this is my kid and he loves this place and how could I not encourage this experience further!
In the days that followed his return I could hear him quietly saying the Kilcoo grace at the dinner table....I finally asked “Griff what are you saying”....he shrugged and said our Kilcoo grace; so we now all stand at the table and sing the Kilcoo grace. He is heard often singing his section chant and of course the “Makers of Men” song and the odd laugh will escape him and I know he is thinking about Kilcoo!
I could ask you....what have you done to my son....who is this kid......I am amazed and continue to be in awe of this little man of mine who has change so much and all is such a positive way!
I have many friends who have been Kilcoo campers, LIT’s and then eventually counsellors and I have listen to their stories, but I don’t think I ever really heard these stories...until my little man started to tell them. I now am a believer; so thank you for his experiences but for mine as well.
I have attached Griffin’s speech...just so you know he really sang “Makers of Man” at the end....he said it was just a little embarrassing but he was happy to do it!
Yours truly,
Sandra
Hi David,
I hope you are doing well.
We just received Toby and Harry's progress reports and wanted to drop you a line. I love the progress report and the thought and effort put into them. Your staff really takes the time to get to know the campers and it shows through these reports. Jamie and I both feel so lucky to have stumbled upon Kilcoo. Our boys are so in love with camp it's kind of crazy. Sometimes parents ask/question us about sending them to camp we always say the following:
- It is Toby's and Harry's decision. We certainly don't try and send them away. As you know I would rather them around but as Harry often reminds me "It's his life"!
- We feel that is an extension of their education and well worth the investment.
- Jamie reminds me often that it's amazing that our boys feel confident enough to go away from home, enjoy new experiences and know everything will be ok.
We couldn't be more thrilled with the way our boys are growing up and Kilcoo is a big reason for that, so once again Thank You and thank you to all your staff. I don't think I have much of a say in whether Toby goes for a month next year so you will probably see both of them for all of July!
Have a great Fall and Winter.
Warmest regards,
Katherine
I Wake to the Sound of Bells
By: Matthew Mannion, age 12
I wake to the sound of bells, only it is not church bells that I hear. I am at summer camp and this is the call of the POLAR BEARS! Everyone ready to take a dip!
Kilcoo is a boys camp that started in 1932 by Charles F. Plewman. Kilcoo Camp is located in Minden, Ontario. I have been going to Kilcoo since 2005. My dad first went to Kilcoo in 1963 and 40 years later my older brother Trevor started his camping career at the same boy’s camp.
Being at a boy’s camp for a month comes with it challenges and rewards. The camp Director, “Lub”, has a long history with Kilcoo. His father John was one of the original campers in 1938 at the age of eight, and later became the camp director and owner in 1955. John, “Chief” Latimer and Mrs. “Chief” ran Kilcoo for 25 years. Today Lub carries on the family tradition.
So what makes this camp so special? The every day events, the traditions, the fun and games, but most importantly it is the people.
On the first day of camp when we get there everyone goes crazy when the buses come in from Toronto and they set off dynamite.
Later that day we have to do a swim test. Unlike our swim test here at school, it is a tough swim with 10 laps and 5 minutes of treading water, fully clothed!
We have some great traditions, like our beach ball bingo the night before visitors day, or Chapel point each Sunday morning, or the amazing water gun fight we use to get rid of the parents on visitors day. Twice each month we have a show called KIL-A-BALOO. Each cabin makes up skits and performs for the entire camp. It is really funny to watch. But one of the best events is cartoon breakfast. On these mornings we get to eat sugary cereal and watch cartoons until noon.
Kilcoo is known for its Bushpede event each year. This one day event splits the camp into two teams and we compete against each other in contests and races all day. At the end of the day the camp gathers at Grand Council where Lub announces the winning team.
Kilcoo is a camp, not a sports resort for kids. We kayak, take biking, swimming, wind surfing, canoeing, wood craft, handy craft, ropes course, sailing rock climbing and archery- just to mention a few things.
My camp is broken up into age groups and this past summer I was a nor’wester. My cabin had seven others boys in it and a counselor and a leader in training. We had a great time together.
Each year we go on a canoe trip. This year my group was gone for 5 days in the woods, where we had to carry our own food, canoes, and packs, portage six times and sleep in tents. I don’t think I have ever been so dirty in my life. And I was glad to get back to camp to a hot shower.
Would you like to spend a month at Kilcoo? Maybe if you’re lucky you can!
A few years ago I picked up a book, okay; it was given to me by my father, called "Maker of Men". I laughed out loud, and I had tears in my eyes. When I finished the book I looked at our son and said "you have to go there", and the rest is history. We have never looked back. Quite apart from the outstanding time our son has at camp, my husband and I, as parents don't worry. Even when the phone call comes, "Hi this is so-and-so from Kilcoo calling, everything is okay, but..." it didn't occur to us to worry, he's at Kilcoo! The attention to detail from the staff puts us at ease - if there is a question - they have the answer. I'm not totally sure "what" it is, or maybe it's a "who" - but Kilcoo has a real feeling, not like anything I have felt before and the fact that our son is a part of it is beyond measure. There is no where in the world he would rather be.
Hi Dave,
I want to say a big thank you to you and your staff. Mark had a fabulous time as usual.
He talks about the fun he had, laughs a lot at his memories, and talks about the "life lessons" he has learned. You and your staff deserve a pat on the back.!
Dear Lub,
Just to say many thanks for a wonderful day on Sunday Parents Day. As usual we all really enjoyed ourselves.
We love getting to Chapel Point..on time. as there are always words to hear there, that we remember for quite some time this year.."Choice" and " taking the road less traveled"!!
The buffet was great and we had lots of fun at the Carnival. We loved Carnival Radio!!
Thank you once again for taking James "under your wing". As you say the "glory days" are over, and he's moving into the next phase of enjoying himself as a young adult. Our best wishes to you and all at Kilcoo.
Dearest Lub, K-Way, Trevor and ALL the staff at Kilcoo,
Well, you've done it again! You have given my son the happiest memories for the third year in a row! His love of Kilcoo is such a heartfelt joy to me. He comes home each year a better person and true gentleman - which is a lot to say, 'cuz I think he's pretty great already! His love of the outdoors, the friendships, the challenges and each and every moment at Kilcoo is all because of YOU! You instill qualities in him (and all the other campers), which make this world a better place to be. I feel that I can never thank you enough for your devotion - but I will....THANK YOU!!!!!!!
I wish you all a very happy August and sign off with one of my favorite quotes by Ghandi, "Be the change you wish to see in this world". And yes, this is what you all do at Kilcoo!
Dear Lub,
I wanted to thank you for another amazing August for our son. Each year he comes home, we wonder how, the next summer could possibly surpass the good times he has had. Once again this was even better.
The trip, the cabin mix, his counselor and LIT, he just couldn't say enough things about. His son sounds like an incredible young man. He's already talking about next year with the month long trip, as well as "LITing" himself. I guess they talked about it quite a bit.
The young man that we pick up at the bus each year, seems to overflow with enthusiasm, and all these amazing virtues that just make the world seem like a better place. Kilcoo really is "The Maker of Men", but not any man, there seems to be an ethic and honesty that comes with them.
Thank you, please don't ever change what ever it is that you and all your staff do, its amazing.
The guys are looking forward to Father, Son and Grandson weekend. Thanks again Lub.
Dear Lub,
James had a fabulous time at camp. He really enjoyed the food, the activities, his cabin, and his counselor. You, too, received more than a word of praise. Would you please be kind enough to along our appreciation to his counselor.
Dear David and the Kilcoo Staff,
Thank you for the wonderful summer Ken experienced again this year. We sincerely appreciate what you do for our young man and we note Ken's progress in maturity as he returns home each summer.
Thanks to your staff, counselors and LIT's and especially to the nurse practitioner who sees more of our son than she should. They all take great care of these campers.
Just a short note David, to thank you and your staff for providing Adam with another wonderful camp experience. He had such fun and the attached picture him and his friend really tells the story. Adam spent a week later in August at a sports camp. While the sports were super, the experience made him appreciate how lucky he is to be a Kilcoo camper. He said there was no comparison with respect to the staff; and the atmosphere at Kilcoo cannot be duplicated. Have a good year with your Greenwood kids and we will look forward to send our son back to you next summer.
Just a quick note to let you know that my son had the "best summer of his life". I have never seen Kevin happier. Kilcoo is a great camp and has a fantastic staff.
Thanks for all you do.
Dear David
Thank you so much for all you and your staff did for Matthew this summer. He has great memories of a wonderful camp. What a turn around! Some of the positives even lasted through the beginning of school!
We look forward to next year. All the best.
To Kilcoo Staff
...A note from mom.
Kelsey truly had the time of his life at Kilcoo this August. He is still telling us stories of the wonderous adventures he had. He sings the songs (and has performed them at various parties!)
His experience was so positive, thanks to all of you. I can only hope that all the boys cherish their Memories as fondly as Kelsey has and does.