Be You!
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
To keep up with our BE YOU theme this summer:
Check your inbox on Monday for our BE YOU weekly email.
Follow GAC on Instagram
(Use hashtag #GACbeyou.)
Be You!
It sounds like such a simple task. After all, aren’t we all just automatically ourselves?
But it’s actually not as simple as it seems. We all feel pressure to fulfill expectations, fit in, go with the flow, look and act a certain way, and do what everyone else is doing.
Sometimes all of that pressure can lead to feelings that we’re not enough just the way we are. Confidence can be eroded when we feel like we’re falling short.
At GAC we believe in encouraging campers and staff to accept and celebrate our own and others’ strengths and unique traits. “Being You” is one of our core values, and many kids tell us that they feel freer to be themselves at camp than in other places. Campers and staff often report that they feel like they can “be themselves” at camp.
Each year, we pick a theme to help guide us through camp. This summer, even though we won’t be together at camp, we’ll be exploring and sharing about what it means to be our true, authentic selves.
We’ll encourage campers to explore what it means to be their “best selves” with questions like these:
- What do I like best about myself?
- What do I really enjoy doing?
- What are my goals?
- What do I dream of doing?
- What are the personality quirks and strengths that make me special?
- How can I be kinder to myself with my “self talk”?
- How can I encourage and support my friends in being their authentic selves?
When we spend time talking and thinking about the interests, traits, and strengths that make us who we are, we gain self-awareness, which is an important aspect of emotional intelligence and one that helps us be a better friend to others. Self-awareness also builds our confidence and ability to understand that we don’t need to be an expert or be perfect at everything. No one is!
When we support our friends by pointing out their strengths and the unique, cool things we like about them, we strengthen our friendships, too.
This summer , not only will we be learning about how to be our best selves, we’ll be learning about how to help our friends be their best selves, too!
Our “Be You” theme for 2020 gives us the opportunity to take advantage of our extra time for reflection (because we’re all stuck at home) and reconnect with what makes us awesome just the way we are.
Check out Monkey and Soy’s formal announcement of our theme (back in January, before we knew we’d be stuck at home this summer), complete with many “b” based puns, enjoy this video:
2019 Coach’s 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.
This summer, we had 39 staff members who stood out so much to their peers that they were nominated for this prestigious award. Each of those 39 people made an impact with their positive energy every day at camp.
2019’s recipient, Simba, stood out in those many nominations for his positive leadership and love of camp. His name has been added to Coach’s Award, which hangs in our camp store.
There were many amazing comments about Simba, including:
To me, Simba is someone who always maintains a positive attitude and carries himself as a positive role model for campers at GAC. In my eyes as a first-year counselor, Simba is someone to model themselves off.
Simba has such a genuine love of GAC, and he truly loves his boys as much as he loves the place. I love watching him interact with his cabins and the other campers he talks to. If we’re picking people based on positive leadership, it is hard to pick someone better than Simba. Well done, Simba!
Wow man, you are so good with the kids and staff. You are a friend that I can talk to about anything.
Whenever I see him he has a smile on his face. He makes everyone feel so much better and warms people with his presence. You can tell that he puts a lot of effort into every relationship he has, with staff or a camper. He’s all about making sure his boys are having the best possible GAC experience.
Throughout this summer I have been wildly impressed with how well Simba holds himself, how he acts in the face of a challenge, and how welcoming he is in every situation. I feel like I’ve learned so much about the world and how to value life through talks and watching him live each moment to the fullest. Thank you for being so incredible, I’ll never forget what you’ve taught me.
You have made me a better, more confident person. I have modeled who I want to be as a counselor after you. You have an amazing head, sense of humor, and have never told me a lie. I feel you taught me how to be a part of Valhalla. I love you.
Simba is always encouraging other counselors to stay positive and energetic. He’s a great role model for the boys of 32 and has always found a way to make everything his cabin does enjoyable and a lasting memory.
Simba has been such a positive impact on camp and on his campers. He is super outgoing and fun for others to be around.
Simba truly embodies what it means to motivate others. He carries himself in a way that shows campers that they can be themselves. He encourages confidence, teamwork, and leadership to everyone that he meets!
For being such a positive role model and inspiration to the boys of Valhalla. Everyone in camp looks up to him and personally I aspire to one day make an impact on people in the same way that he does.
One of the greatest people I’ve ever met! He always has a smile on his face. Whenever I see him he gives me a high five. Overall great guy. 
He truly is a pleasure to be around. He is such a warm spirit and truly embraces the values of camp in himself, and in his campers. He lifts my mood and challenges me to be a better staff member, friend, and person myself. I believe that he is one of the most deserving nominees for this award.
His never-ending enthusiasm motivates not only his campers but all the staff around him. He is the most incredible frisbee golf counselor which goes to show that he can make any activity the best activity. Simba inspires me to give more to my campers and live every day to its fullest.
An incredible leader and counselor. Simba is so supportive and creative when working with his cabin. He inspires me to be a better counselor and I am grateful for his friendship and positivity. A true leader.
Simba is always welcoming to all people at camp regardless of who they are or what they do. He is always high energy with his kids and makes sure everyone feels included. He makes sure to engage everyone and makes camp a better place.
Always in good spirits, shows tremendous leadership, spreads the excitement, everyone’s hype man- constantly finding something to laugh about. Overall, he’s a good role model for everyone!
Simba was a leader in camp this year! He made a positive difference to those around him, and camp is a better place now because of his influence.
A boy inside a man’s body. Whenever you see him he’s smiling and joining in with the kids. I couldn’t believe when he said he was only 22. A great GAC role model, and an inspiration for me.
I am so impressed with his ability to lead his campers so well. He is humble, genuine, kind, fun to be around, and hilarious. So many people at camp look up to him because of the way he carries himself and the magic he makes at GAC. I am so thankful he is here and that campers and counselors alike are able to learn from Simba!
CONGRATULATIONS SIMBA!
Oyster
Episode 49
Sailing instructor Oyster joins Soy from Leeds University in England. They had a long discussion about the way camp allows campers to really be in charge. They also talked about the benefits of cultural exchange in the J-1 summer camp counselor visa program. Soy shares a friendship tip and a joke of the cast!
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Magic
Episode 48
On this week’s POG-Cast, Soy and Magic sit down and chat about what camp holds for campers that come back year after year, and how Magic ended up working with a co-counselor she first met when they were both 7! There’s a great Dad joke for the Joke of the Cast, a new friendship theme, and a great GACspiration.
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Luna
Episode 47.
Luna, who is a student at the Art Institute of Chicago as well as being an Arts & Crafts Counselor at GAC, stopped by the POG-Cast to chat about art, creation, and her favorite parts of working at camp. In addition to being an Arts & Crafts Counselor, Luna was also a Group Counselor for a session in 2019, so she had great insights into what it was like to do both of those jobs. There’s also a GACspiration and a dad-joke-based Joke of the Cast.
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Hilly
Episode 46
This week, Soy is joined by Hilly, who came to camp on a J-1 Summer Camp Counselor Visa last year. They talk about what Hilly learned about the United States, the hardest and easiest parts of being a Group Counselor, and the POG-Cast speed round. There’s a reptile based Joke of the Cast and an artistic GACspiration.
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Van
Episode 45
It’s a Hoosier state reunion as Van (Fort Wayne) joins Soy (Kokomo) on the POG-Cast. They have a great chat about being a near-peer mentor. They also talk about trying new things and how she discovered jicama! Joke of the Cast takes on the Haloween season and Sunshine drops in with a GACspiration.
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Simba
Episode 44.
Simba drops by the show today. He is the winner of the 2019 Ken “Coach” Baker award. Simba talks with Soy about how camp changed since his first year (15 years ago!). He also shares a ton of wisdom about the important things that don’t change at camp and tells great stories about him dancing and why his name was almost “Fez.”
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Kiwi
Episode 43
Kiwi dropped by the GACHQ to chat with Soy face to face about what makes camp so special. She talks about her family connection to camp (even though she wasn’t a camper) and how camp has impacted her phone use now that she’s back at school. There’s also a friendship tip, a GACspiration, and Joke of the Cast to enjoy!
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Cheerio!
Episode 41
The POG-Cast is back! If you found our podcast during the summer, when it is called Wadda Day, this episode will be a bit of a surprise to you. During the year, our podcast turns into the POG-Cast, which is a weekly podcast that features more in-depth interviews with staff members, parents, and campers. It also has some of the great parts of morning assembly, like Joke of the Day, Stat of the Day, and the Friendship Tip!
This week we have Gold Arrow Camp’s newest director, Heather “Cheerio” Veatch, who just joined our team year-round after 10 summers working at camp. Prior to working for camp, Cheerio was an elementary school teacher. She and Soy have a great conversation about education and camp, as well as some behavior management tools that we use at camp that you can use at home.
Submit WOWs and answers to Stat of the Cast to wow@goldarrowcamp.com
Here’s how you can make some breathing beads at home!
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