Vision Receives Award
In 2009, Gold Arrow Camp lost a dear friend. Ken “Coach” Baker (March 10, 1951 – April 5, 2009) worked at GAC as Camp Assistant Director and Director from 1981-1992 and had a huge, positive impact on many of us who are still here at camp today. Ken was instrumental in helping Sunshine purchase Gold Arrow from Jeanie Vezie in 1989, and mentored Sunshine, Monkey, Woody, Chelster, Tigger, Junior, Trapper, and many other GAC staff during their early years working at camp.
Ken had an amazing way of making even mundane tasks like picking up trash and painting buildings feel monumentally important. He had a way of clapping his hands together and giving a pep talk that got everyone fired up to do their jobs well. Ken had a near-constant smile on his face and took every challenge that came his way in stride. We all knew we could go to him with any problem and he would help us figure out how to fix it.
To honor Ken, in 2009 we established “Coach’s Award.” This award has been given each year since to a leader at camp, nominated by his/her peers, who motivates others through positive leadership and encouraging words and exemplifies Ken “Coach” Baker’s dedication to GAC’s vision.
To select each year’s recipient, we ask the entire staff to complete a nomination form, where they put the name of one person whom they think deserves this honor. They include comments about the person they nominate. We have such a high caliber of staff, many of whom are extremely positive and exemplify what Coach stood for, and we are grateful for the legacy he left us and that so many people at GAC are incredibly positive and motivating to others.
2025’s recipient, Luke “Vision” Beshoff, stood out in those many nominations for his kind and positive leadership, bounding enthusiasm for all things GAC, and for his genuine support and encouragement of staff and campers. Vision’s name has been added to Coach’s Award, which hangs in our camp post office.
Vision has a long history at GAC. He was a camper for seven years, from 2012-2018, and joined our staff in 2022. Vision has primarily worked with our Rock Climbing & Ropes Course team as an activity counselor and then joined our Leadership Team as head of the program. His sister, Sophie “Sage” Beshoff is also a long-time camper and staff member, and last year’s Coach’s Award recipient!
There were many amazing comments about Vision in his nominations from fellow counselors, including:
Vision’s leadership these past two summers has completely shaped my camp experience and is one of the reasons I want to keep coming back. He is incredibly compassionate toward his staff and genuinely cares about others. I cannot imagine camp without his positive presence. I genuinely believe knowing and working with Vision has made me a stronger leader and better person. I am incredibly grateful to have Vision at camp.
He has been the best leader I have ever worked with. His passion, attitude, perseverance and how easy he’s solving situations makes Vision such a great leader not only for GAC but also for creating big impacts on people’s lives. Vision has been a really hardworking leader. He’s not a boss but a leader who knows how to handle complicated situations and his team. I love the way he encourages others to do their best!
Over the last four years at GAC, I have watched Vision grow more and more as a leader. This year especially, I have seen him lead his Rocks and Ropes team to be the best they can be – creating camaraderie amongst the group, offering support whenever needed, and checking in frequently. He has been an incredible mentor and role model to me as to how to be a great leader. His can-do attitude and genuine love for GAC is radiant. There is nobody who deserves this award more than Vision.
Vision has done an awesome job of stepping up to act like a leader this year. He always volunteers whenever anything is needed. He is a huge support for staff members, and also kind and supportive to campers. His smile and enthusiasm bring positive energy to camp wherever he goes.
Here’s what a few campers had to say about Vision this summer:
HILARIOUS! Loved him so much!
Super welcoming and friendly.
He’s so nice and tells good stories and riddles.
Really helped me with being homesick.
Vision was super funny, kind and considerate!
Earlier this summer, Vision sat down with Sunshine in Episode 93 of the GAC Podcast.
Vision is incredibly positive and enthusiastic about camp and his experiences here. He describes in detail the activities that fall under the “Rocks and Ropes” category here at camp, and how each of them offers amazing opportunities for campers and staff to get outside their comfort zones and grow! Vision also shares how he’s started appreciating different aspects of camp as he’s gotten older.
10 Parenting Tips from Camp Counselors
At one time in their lives, many of the parents I know were camp counselors. Those same people have told me that their time spent as counselors was great training ground for parenting. Among other things, they learned to comfort, encourage, set goals, and resolve disputes — all things we experience daily in our lives as moms and dads.
At one time in their lives, many of the parents I know were camp counselors. Those same people have told me that their time spent as counselors was great training ground for parenting. Among other things, they learned to comfort, encourage, set goals, and resolve disputes — all things we experience daily in our lives as moms and dads.
However, not every parent has had the benefit of camp counselor training. In fact, most parents have had NO training at all. Perhaps they took a Lamaze class or two, but we all know that having the kid is not the hardest part!
I’ve often lamented that all parents should be required to go through some training, at least the same training camp counselors do (a minimum of one week at most camps). Unfortunately, that is not the case, nor is it realistic. So the best we can do for those who were never camp counselors is offer a few tried and true tips from a few outstanding folks who were:
1. Practice catching kids doing the right thing.
2. Check in with each child one-on-one every day.
3. Establish fun daily traditions: share highs & lows at dinner or bedtime, do riddles, read a book out loud, play games together, collect family memories.
4. Sing and dance together A LOT.
5. Smile and stay positive. Apologize for any crabbiness.
6. Address difficult issues privately and by focusing on the ISSUE not the child.
7. Do team-building activities like sharing goals and dreams.
8. Get unplugged and focus on face-to-face communication.
9. Get outside and get dirty.
10. Follow a predictable schedule and enforce rules consistently.
2022 GAC Events Calendar
Happy New Year! As we gear up for another summer of fun, friends, and growth at GAC, we have planned some online events in the coming months. Download a calendar for home and be sure to visit the Upcoming Events page for links and details.
Give us a call at 800-554-2267 x.0 or send us an email if you have any questions or need additional information about any of our events.
DOWNLOAD 2022 GAC EVENTS CALENDAR
GAC Families Rock!
A HUGE thank you to our camp families for your trust in us this summer and for your support in keeping GAC safe and healthy.
Because of the sacrifices you made and the care you showed for the health and safety of everyone in our camp community, we had a COVID-free summer at GAC. This remarkable feat was only possible with the commitment and flexibility from our camp families and staff to execute an ever-changing plan. We appreciate your understanding, as our procedures changed before camp and throughout the summer. Your vigilance, and your children’s willingness to comply with our guidelines, kept us all safe and healthy this summer. For that, we will always be grateful.
Our 2021 summer theme was “Better Together,” which is something we have always felt about the GAC community. This year, more than ever, we were grateful to have the opportunity to come back together at camp for face-to-face interactions with our friends. It was refreshing for all of us to move from the isolation of the pandemic to the connection our camp community provides.
It was such a delight to share the summer with your children, who showed us everyday what we knew to be true, which is that we are indeed, “Better Together.”
We look forward to next summer when we’re together again!
Raise Thriving Kids Online Course Opens Soon
The Raise Thriving Kids Parenting Course is back and this time it’s ONLINE!
Camp Directors Audrey “Sunshine” Monke (Gold Arrow Camp) and Sara “Salsa” Kuljis (Yosemite Sierra Summer Camp) can’t do their all-day in-person workshop this fall, but they are offering an amazing online course with ten, easily-digestible 30-minute lessons, two live coaching calls, and a TON of resources (more than 40 pages in our downloadable workbook)! Join “Sunshine” and “Salsa” this fall for strategies, inspiration, and some much-needed laughs. Course starts in mid-October and videos will be available for you to watch or listen whenever you have time.
RAISE THRIVING KIDS ONLINE COURSE INFO
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RAISE THRIVING KIDS COURSE
GAC History Book – Perfect Holiday Gift!
Are you looking for the perfect holiday gift for your Gold Arrow Camp friends and family? We have just the gift for you! Sierra Summers is filled with many wonderful pages about your favorite happy place. It shares the rich history of GAC and how it has come to be the place that many people call their home away from home. Click here for more information about the book and to order your copy today!