News

Teaching Teamwork

June 25, 2025

“No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orchestra to play it.” -H.E. Luccock

In this competitive, self-focused era, learning to be part of a team is a valuable skill that is not often taught to children (or adults!). Kids participate on many sports teams, but often that experience does not end up being a lesson in teamwork. Instead, sports teams often become a competitive experience of trying to get the position or play time they want as an individual. One reason for our focus on non-competitive activities at GAC is so that kids can learn new skills without feeling the pressure to win or be the best. We also want kids to learn to be part of a team (their cabin group) and be better team members. The experience of living with a group of diverse people in a cabin group is the first lesson in teamwork that campers learn. Campers learn to work together to keep their living area organized, do daily clean up, and get to where they need to be (meals, activities, etc.). They also learn to support and encourage each other and help each cabin member do their best at each activity. During the first few days of camp, each of our cabin groups goes through a “Team Building” program led by our trained ropes course staff. During a variety of games ... Read more

Episode 89: WOWs with Bravo

June 23, 2025

Writing "WOW"s, or positive notes and affirmations, is a habit we practice daily at Gold Arrow Camp. In this episode, Sunshine and Bravo talk about how we do WOWs, why we do WOWs, the magic relationship ratio, and the power of positive words! Give meaningful WOWs by using this formula: Person’s Name + Quality + Evidence (what they did and/or how it made you feel).

Resources/Related

The Magic Relationship Ratio, John Gottman (article) The Magic Relationship Ratio, Sunshine Parenting (video) Filling Buckets: Our 2019 Theme (article) The Most Meaningful Words You'll Say this Summer, Camping Magazine (article) 3 Reasons to Give Your Kid a "WOW" Today, Sunshine Parenting (article) The Power of Positive Words, Sunshine Parenting (article) Catch them Doing the Right Thing (article)

Episode 88: Razz Talks about Camp

June 9, 2025

Sunshine talks with experienced Gold Arrow Camp camper and counselor, Lucy 'Razz" Mahlmeister, in this episode of the podcast. Razz talks about her time at GAC, which started in 2010 when she was an eight-year-old first time camper. Razz spent eight years as a camper, one year as a Junior Counselor, and has now been on staff for five years, primarily as a watersports activity counselor, teaching campers kneeboarding, wakeboarding, waterskiing, and wakesurfing.

Episode 87: Experienced Campers Talk about Camp

June 2, 2025

For parents and campers who are new to Gold Arrow Camp, you won't want to miss this episode! A group of Junior Counselors (16 & 17 year old experienced campers) join Sunshine for a chat about their experiences and growth over their summers at camp. This was recorded in 2018 but their insights are still as relevant today!