kasota East CaMP

www.kasotaeastcamp.org info@kasotaeastcamp.org

JULY 2013

@KasotaEastCamp

Rebels of the bible are still and inspiration today

This summer KEC is putting a new school twist on some old school rebels. Amos, Esther, David, and John the Baptist, will feature in our exploration of rebels for the right reasons. Rebels With A Cause empowers us to examine the world around us, and reect on what we each have to offer. Rebellion isnt always about breaking rules, its an act of shaking off limitations. Our goal is to empower campers in challenging the stereotypes and expectations that limit our society. By embracing what makes them unique, our campers challenge assumptions of what is popular, and what is just. The anchor was chosen as our theme symbol because it is associated with Jesus as a sher of men (Mark 1:17). It also reects how camp can be place to anchor our faith. Tattoo artist Will at Dark Day Studios in Red Deer donated our summer logo by taking the anchor concept and drawing into a rebellious sailor tattoo. Please see our thank-you article on pg. 4. -Kelly Milne, Summer Director

OUR DIRECTING TEAM

KELLY MILNE: This is Kellys second year as Summer Director at KEC. She is a conrmed member at Gaetz Memorial United Church.

JORDAN AMOIE: Jordan has returned for a second summer as an Assistant Director. He is currently studying Elementary Education at RDC.

KATIE TURNER: This is Katies rst year as an Assistant Director. She was a counsellor for 3 years, and has been a camper at KEC for 14 years!

Volunteers had KEC ready for the summer:

Camp Cleanup 2013 was very productive thanks to an impressive turnout of volunteers and summer staff! 24 of us put our shoulders to the wheel and scrubbed, swept, mowed, xed, and sorted. The camp will be in tip-top shape for our upcoming camping season. We owe a special thanks to Janet Ball who provided lunch for our crew. Sydney Morris was our youngest volunteer. She came all the way from Calgary to help grandma Shirley Gehman. Syndey and Shirley were looking forward to another Family Camp this summer. A huge thanks to our volunteers: Kelly Milne, Vern Lowe, Janet Burghardt & Brian Godlonton, Tess, Donna, & Megan Anderson, Janet Ball & Charlie Ball, Leo Quaife, Cristy & Regan Rusaw, Kevin Flaman, Hannelore Beach, Ernest & Nyna Marr, Deb Marsh, Jessica Dore, The Defoes, Shirley Gehman & Sydney Norris.

SPUDZ & SPLITZ

On June 7, supporters gat hered for KECs annual Spudz & Sp litz at Gaetz United Church.

KECs annual feast of baked potatoes and banana splits was a success thanks to organizers Janet Burghart-Moore, and Deb Marsh. Approximately 80 people attended the event, raising $1800 for camp. Kelly Milne and Rhonda Paquette provided musical entertainment while guests examined a wide array of silent auction items including Jean McDermands famous cinnamon buns. We also owe a huge thank-you to many members of our summer staff team that showed up to help serve.

The best way to support camp? Invite a camper!

In an age of social media, high budget print ads, and busses rented as billboards, the best advertising for a summer camp is still word-of- mouth. This isnt bad news for KEC; word-ofmouth is free advertising that allows us to keep camp rates affordable.

CHILDRENS FESTIVAL
This is the second year that KEC has hosted an activity booth at the Central Alberta Childrens Festival.

We want to create a buzz! The key to building word-ofmouth advertising is giving our customers (yes, campers and This year we set up a makeshift their parents) something to buzz gaga ball ring to show off a about! We want you to say great popular camp activity.Thanks to things about KEC. If you have the many staff who volunteered! ideas on how we could enhance our programming or serve our campers better, please share! Contact us by phone, e-mail, or donation that might return for speak to a Board Member in years to come! Yes, we consider person (were really friendly). our campers human donations. Each camper contributes uniquely Its not camp without campers! to the atmosphere that makes Financial donations allow us camp so much fun. maintain our facilities and pay for staff. However, campers are our Heres the best part: new campers reason for being. By inviting a invite their friends, who invite camper to KEC, you are making a their friends, who...

If you have enjoyed KEC programming as a camper or volunteer, do us a favour and buzz about it! Whether its in person, on Facebook, or on our website, you can play a key role in helping our summer program grow.
-Megan Anderson, Executive Director

KEC VISITS BOWER PLACE

On June 15, KEC staff were at Bower Place, Red Deer, to paint faces, hand out treats, and promote camp. A photo booth with costume props kept staff busy, and passersby intrigued.Visitors entered their names in a draw and two lucky campers each won a free week of camp.

Alumni Story: Robert (Bob) Pittman

of the United Church during his youth in Saskatchewan. He attended the United Church Boys Camp in White Bear and later became involved in directing youth camps and other activities through St. Martins United Church in Saskatoon. Later in life Bob moved to Red Deer where his family continued to suppor t United Church Camping. Bobs children, Jared, Melanie, and Greg attended Kasota East Camp as campers and the boys continued on as camp counselors. Submitted by Rita Pittman & Angela Wymann Richter

Staff and campers enjoying a canoeing trip in 2012. each year at the Westerner Food Booth. On behalf of so many happy campers, KEC is proud to recognize the contributions of Bob Pittman and his family to our camp history.
-Megan Anderson, Executive Director

Canoeing is one of our campers favourite activities thanks to a generous donation. Most of the canoes that we use today were donated in memory of Bob Pittman of Red Deer. Bob was an avid camper and active member

After a valiant struggle with cancer, Bob passed away in 1991 at the age of 36. The donation of canoes made to KEC has continued Bobs legacy of support for United Church Camping. His family also continues to support KEC by sending their children as campers and by volunteering

THE NICEST TATTOO GUY EVER!

After dreaming up our theme, Rebels With A Cause, Kelly and I wanted a logo that would set the tone for an edgy and energetic summer of camp. Why is the logo so important? KEC gives each camper a free camp t-shirt. This isnt just a marketing tactic; for some of our campers, these are the newest, brightest, shirts in their closet. Our campers are special to us, and we want to send them home in a t-shirt that reminds them of the condence and acceptance they had at camp. Translation: the logo has to be as cool as our campers! Heres the problem: we cant afford to hire a fancy graphic designer and still have a budget for our camper shirts. I was mulling this over on a walk downtown when I passed by Dark Day Studios. Out of curiosity, I went inside to see what it would cost to have a tattoo logo designed. I had to explain myself a couple of times (something odd about a church camp inquiring about tattoos) before I was referred to Will.

will@darkday.ca Dark Day Studios 4950 50th St. Red Deer (403) 597-1295

Will understood what I was asking for immediately. He had volunteered at a summer camp when he was younger and knew all about the value of camp. After describing what I wanted, I asked for an estimate. FREE. He offered to design our logo at no cost! Thanks to the kindness of a heavily tattooed stranger, we have the coolest summer logo in KEC history! Thanks, Will! -Megan Anderson, Executive Director

Camp Highlights
K1 PRIMARY CAMP Our rst week of camp is also our youngest. The K1 campers had some special programming to make the week come alive! We included a bouncy castle as well as a cotton candy machine during our carnival on Thursday. The kids and the counsellors alike enjoyed doing messy twister, movie night, and polar dip! K2 JUNIOR CAMP K2 saw the introduction of our rst group of CITs, and the rst of our regular KCamps. CITs were treated to the usual campre tricks: markers on faces, sprayed with water, and dressed in costumes galore! They also learned to rough it by building and sleeping in leantos. Campers experienced Water World with the slip n slide and an obstacle course. Each team created canvases to represent themselves, and then were assigned a colour for the all- out sponge war! At the very end of the week, members of the archery Bulls Eye Club competed to pie a Director in the face. The lucky winner had the great idea to get both our Assistant Directors! K3 JUNIOR CAMP K3 was our Harry Potter Week! Bellatrix Lestrange was thrown in the lake, and each kid was sorted into a personalized KECwarts House. CITs worked with kids in cabins, and painted the annual paddle.

WANTED: HUMAN BILLBOARDS

Campers and staff are giving this years KEC gear rave reviews! The 5-colour print featuring our tattoo-stye logo (pg.3) really stand out. Campers that attend a K-camp during the summer receive a free tshirt with their registration, but we also have shirts for sale. When you buy a camp t-shirt and people see our logo paired with your smiling face (good looks and charm, too) you become the perfect advertisement for camp. T-shirts (heather grey) are available for $15 and baseball shirts (white with black sleeves) are available for $20. KEC gear is available in all youth and adult sizes. E-mail us to order.

Tip It was a popular game at the waterfront, and gagaball, as usual, was a hit! TCAs included Cat and Mouse, Clue, and Mission Impossible. Read more about our adventures online at www.kasotaeastcamp.org! -Kelly Milne, Summer Director

Campers enjoying the bouncy tent at the KEC Carnival during K1.

The girls didnt mind getting messy in a wacky version of Twister during K1.

KEC was populated with wacky wizards during K3.

NUMBERS
Years in operation

27
Volunteers per year

Great fare at fair prices: KECs Westerner Booth is always a hit

200
Burgers sold in 2013

5K
Average donated to KEC each year Each year, hundreds of visitors ock to the KEC Food Booth at the Red Deer Westerner. This is Kasotas largest annual fundraiser thanks to coordinators Shirley Gehman and Judy Ann Wybenga. In a sea of fast food novelties, our booth stands out because of an old-fashioned favourite: fresh pie! Apple, blueberry, rhubarb these pies are baked by members of our supporting congregations and you wont nd a more affordable treat on the midway. The booth has grown from humble beginnings, a small food stand and a preparation tent, to a full-sized grilling station that earns $10-$13,000 per year. I used to pray God wrap your arms around this thing and hold it together for another year laughed Gehman, about one of the earlier evolutions of the booth. Involved for all 27 years of operation, Gehman has played a leading role. It takes a huge crew to man the booth and Judy Ann Wybenga is at the helm during Westerner Days. She coordinates over 200 volunteers in 4-hour shifts to keep the burgers coming. Pies, potato salad, and chili are donated by congregations in the Red Deer Presbytery. Trail Appliances in Red Deer also lends a hand: each year they loan a deep freeze to the booth at no cost. The initial purpose of the booth was to raise funds to replace the original cabins at camp. Five cabins have been replaced since 1986 but funds have also been allocated to supporting summer programming, and other property development. Our deepest thanks to coordinators, burger ippers, bakers, cooks, and smiling faces (likely in the thousands) that have made this fundraiser a success for 27 years.
-Megan Anderson, Executive Director

12K

Check out our summer programs!

We need at least 12 campers to make this program feasible, so please spread the word! Tier 1: $40 Tier 2: $50 Tier 3: $75 NEW: K6 ADULT RETREAT Join Kasota East Camp August 7-9 for a come-and-go adult retreat! We hope to offer all of our great camp traditions, along with new sessions and guest speakers. Tentative activities include a traditional sweat lodge, yoga, and a guided meditation! Our exible rate options include: Tier 1: $200 Tier 2: $240 Tier 3: $300

K1

July 2-5

Primary Camp Ages 6-9 Junior Camp Ages 8-14 Junior Camp Ages 8-14 Family Camp All Ages All Girls Ages 8-14 Ages 6-14

K2
K3

July 7-12

July 14-19

K4

July 21-26

NEW: KDAY PRIMARY DAY CAMP I n t r o d u c i n g : K - D ay ! We a r e running a one-day program on Tuesday, August 6, 2013 from 8:30-5:30. This is a great way for new campers aged 6-14 to become familiar with camp before trying out a full week program.

K5

July 28- August 2 August 6

KDay Primary Day Camp K6

K7

July 2-5 August 7-9

Adult Retreat Ages 18+ Castle Rock Ages 6-9 Memorial Park Ages 6-9

We will offer crafts like journal jars, bracelet making, and Daily Drop-In: $75 laboratory experiments. Some Includes breakfast, lunch, supper activities we will do are giant and a full-day of programming. soccer, canoeing, and archery. -Kelly Milne, Summer Director

K8

July 2-5

ACA Accreditation Visit: KEC continues to meet standards.

On June 12 KEC passed the As an accredited member, we are accreditation visit required for proud to follow best-practices set continued accreditation by the o u t f o r r e n t a l s , s u m m e r Alberta Camping Association. programming, camper safety and administration. Find out more The ACA is a provincial non-prot a b o u t t h e A C A o n l i n e a t organization that works with www.albertacamping.com. summer camps toward upholding industry leading standards. -Megan Anderson, Exec. Director

CIT 1
CIT 2

Counselor-in-Training July 7-12 + July 14-19 Ages 15+

Counselor-in-Training July 21-26 + July 28- Aug 2 Ages 15+

IDEAS FOR OUR NEWSLETTER? Contact: Megan Anderson ExecuEve Director 1 (403) 872-0801 info@kasotaeastcamp.org

REGISTER TODAY! Online www.kasotaeastcamp.org Madeline Hendricks, Registrar 1 (403) 789-4323 nanamadeline@shaw.ca