Looking Forward To Meeting All Of You!

My name is Julie and I am the Associate Program Director at Qwanoes. I have been involved at Qwanoes for much of my life!

I first came to Qwanoes with my family around the age of 3 and then was a camper each summer from the age of 8 through high school. God really worked in my life through Qwanoes. I was a Christian before I started coming to camp, but camp greatly encouraged me to give God 100% of my life. At camp, I met others my age who were also following God, as well as staff who took an interest in me and were great role models. I really gained a vision for my life and hope for the future through my time at camp.

As a kid that loved God, camp and sports, it was always my dream to someday help out at camp. My first experience on staff was at the age of 16 when I worked on maintenance and did some counseling. After finishing high school, I did one year at Briercrest and then went to university at UBC and U.Vic. During those years, I served at Qwanoes as often as I could in a variety of roles.

My first full summer on staff was as the Assistant Waterfront Director when I was 20. I then served several summers as the Waterfront Director while completing university. During that time, I got married to my wonderful husband Scott who is now the Executive Director at Qwanoes. We just celebrated our wedding anniversary yesterday!

After finishing my degree at U.Vic., I started in the role of overseeing the recreational activity program at Qwanoes. I did this full-time for several years before having our first child and I've been doing it part-time since then - along with helping with staff training and development, risk management, and more. Scott and I have three kids, Jared (just turned 13!), Devin (age 11), and Kara (age 9.5).

It is a real joy and privilege to be serving God at Qwanoes! God is at work through Christian camping ministry in powerful ways, in a society that has turned so far away from him and that does not protect or value children in many ways. There is nothing I would rather be doing!

I'm really excited that each and every one of you is coming to Qwanoes to take part in the Kaleo program this fall. I look forward to getting to know you and see you grow as leaders with a solid spiritual foundation in the months ahead!

Julie Bayley

Associate Program Director, Camp Qwanoes

Music!

Hello!
I have noticed that TONS of people are into music. What does everyone play and do? Sounds like we will have a full band and will have tons of awesome worship music! :)

Hello Everyone

Hello People,

My name is Steve Geiger, or as everyone here at Camp Qwanoes calls me StevieG.

I am the Events Coordinator at camp where I get the opportunity to plan and run all the crazy games and events that go on here this summer and retreats through out the year.

Umm what else can I tell you, I know that the Canucks are going to win the cup this year, and it would be a great year to do it as well cause I am also getting married this year in October to a wonderful woman named Alycia. I am so excited for this.

During the Year I work part time at Qwanoes and part time at one of the local church's where I am the youth pastor there so I am very excited to get a chance to work with some of you in that aspect of your training as well.

umm what else should I write and tell you all, I like to collect Pez yes it is true, I have over 300 of them, so when you all get here you will have to come over and check them out, you can even have some of the candy hahah.. anyways that sounded a little creepy, so I going to stop talking about that.

So God Bless you all and see you soon

StevieG

Events Coordinator, Camp Qwanoes

Vancouver Canucks or Boston Bruins?

Oh right.

So I completely forgot to mention something significant about my summer: I am going on a two week mission trip to Puerto Rico in 32 days! Yep. Okay. Bye.

My Turn

Ok, so I guess I can take a few minutes to finally do this.

My name is Andrew MacDonald and I'm the Kaléo program leader here at Camp Qwanoes. Originally I'm from New Brunswick, I have a background in Engineering and did construction management for a few years after college. Jesus really got a hold of my life during some tough years (lots of time to hear about this during the year) and he set me on a new journey for my life. In 2004 God called me to vast expanses of Saskatchewan to begin my degree in youth ministry at Briercrest. I was a 24 year old freshman living on dorm with 17 year olds. It was an absolutely amazing experience. From Briercrest God kept calling me west and I spent 2 summers here at Camp Qwanoes. God has used camp ministry in powerful ways in my life to refine and shape me.

I took some time off during my 3rd year to work construction and make some money before returning to school but God had different plans. It was during that time that I got married to my beautiful wife Jenn and accepted a full time job in youth ministry at South Delta Baptist Church in Tsawwassen. I was on staff for 3.5 years at the church and loved my time there. I was able to see God work powerfully in me and through me.

It was last fall that God began to put the Kaléo program in my heart and he began the long process of calling Jenn and I out here to Camp Qwanoes full time. It's a bit of a stressful time for us now trying to sell our house and finish the transition... not to mention that Jenn is 6 months pregnant! We are expecting our first daughter September 4th (so to all of you who love babysitting, I've got you covered).

I am SOOOOO excited to see what God has planned for the Kaléo program this year! I believe that God has called each of you here and that he has plans in store for you. He will challenge you, he will stretch you, he will encourage you, and best of all the God of the Universe will meet with you here. I expect big things, I'm praying for big things, and I'm so excited for you to get here so we can kick this year off!

I suppose that's enough for now.

In His Grace,

Andrew MacDonald

CIT and Kaléo Leader, Camp Qwanoes

Greetings from Camp Qwanoes

Hey Everyone, 

So I suppose it would be fitting for me to officially introduce myself on here. I am originally from a small town called Morden in southern Manitoba. I have spent the past 4 years attending Briercrest College in Caronport, Saskatchewan. I just recently graduated from Briercrest with a B.A. in Humanities and a minor in Psychology. 

I am also a newlywed and loving it. I am the oldest of four girls and I am SO excited to have my youngest sister Tessa enrolled in the Kaleo program for this coming fall. 

I like baking, going for walks and playing Killer Bunnies (it's a board game).

I am super excited for all the Lord has in store for this coming year and I am already eagerly awaiting your arrival.

Blessings,
Erin Karklins
Assistant Kaleo Leader, Camp Qwanoes 

4 days until June!

Hi everyone!

It is so cool to see how everyone is getting to know each other as we get closer and closer to September and your arrival. Many of you know me a little already... since I was the one who had the privilege to do your interview! Which you all did great by the way. But I thought I would tell you a little more about myself...

I grew up in Ontario, right outside of Ottawa. I left home at 17 to go to BC for Bible College. I took a camp ministry/outdoor rec degree. I have been serving in camp ministry since I was 16 and love it! My first Qwanoes experience was in 1998, when I was a camp counselor, boat driver, lifeguard and events crew games guy. Best summer ever to this day! I recently spent 10 years down in Oregon, got married to my beautiful wife Gretta, I have three awesome and very different kids - Kaia 5, Titus 3, Koen 2. I am a Canadian citizen, but I also have my American citizenship. Phew... okay I'm done.

Jay Kennedy - Assistant Director, Camp Qwanoes

Hey there, my name is Erin. I am from Tsawassen, which is the small town where you get on the ferry to go to Camp. I have five brothers and two great parents. I like playing piano, biking and reading and I am really looking forward to metting everyone and being challenged next year!

Last week I watched a show on Sasquatches. I found out that the place that has the most sasquatch spotting's in the world is Vancouver island more specifically right near Camp Qwanoes.

Hello! My name is Nancy and I am from St. John's, Newfoundland. I am the second oldest of 5 children, 2 brothers and 2 sisters. I have been the camp director of a small camp here on the rock for almost two years now.. so this summer I will obviously be out at camp :) I am really excited for what this coming year has to offer and can't wait to meet you all!

Hey everyone! I am not really sure what to say....soooo well first of all my name is Jon and I live in stouffville, a small town north of Toronto. I live with my parents as all 3 of my older sisters are off at school. Anyways I am really excited for next year and I can not wait to meet all of you and get to know you all. I will be working at Ontario Pioneer Camp this summer and Well yeah if you want to know anything else just ask.    

Sincerely Jon

Im Excited.

So I have the raddest sister in the world. Today she baked me cookies. I wish i could share these with you guys!

So Stoked,

Tanner

Hey everyone!

It is so great to see you all getting to know each other! Thanks for diving in right away! We are all very excited to have you as our new incoming students. As many of you are finding out, for now this is a place to introduce yourself to the growing community that will become known as Kaléo 2012!

This blog is yours to post your stories, your dreams, pics, videos, prayer requests, and news. Later, it will become a place where you can access important links for every day life in the Kaléo program. It will also be used to tell people back home what is happening at Qwanoes, and after that, a way to stay in touch with your fellow students and all of us here at Qwanoes!

True, there is such a thing as Facebook, but we find this works better in addition to Facebook as people tend to stop and take time to read more intently.

This blog will be a great way for you to talk to all of us at once, like you will regularly once we all come together at Qwanoes in September!

So get on here! Tell us about you, and use the "Comments" link to respond to what other students write. You will be glad you did, and so will we. See you here soon!

In His Grace,

Andrew MacDonald

CIT / Kaléo Leader, Camp Qwanoes

Hi!

  Hey Everybody!! My name is Marissa Burns (and yes my father is Mr. Burns, but not the one from the Simpsons..sorry!).
  Anyways, my humble abode resides in Coquitlam B.C., which is just outside of Vancouver. My family consists of 2 wonderful parents, 2 brothers (one older and one younger), 1 older sister, and 1 sister-in-law. I consider myself a sports-aholic...if I'm not playing sports, I'm  helping to coach them and currently I'm coaching both basketball and softball and enjoying it very much. I also consider myself a book nerd and I am quite proud of that fact :)
 I'm super stoked for Kaleo this year, I've heard amazing things from everyone that I have talked to and I'm really excited to get to know you guys!

Don't really know what else to say...got any questions for me?
-oh how about one interesting fact about you guys? just so I get get to know y'all :)

Good day.

Hello everyone, I am Tessa Riley. I live in Morden Manitoba and I honestly can't wait to get out of this town! I'm really a nerd when it comes to English and words in general. I believe in the proper use of punctuation. I plan to spend this summer working, but of course I need to find a job first. I also plan to do lots of reading. I have 3 older sisters and a brother-in-law. My oldest sister Erin is the Assistant Kaleo Leader and Viktor, her husband, is the Male Intern. I'm really excited to meet you all. :)

Kaleo!

I'm stoked! My name is Tanner Kooistra. I live in Okotoks, Alberta. Ill be 18 in august. This summer I am working as a cabin leader at a camp called SABC (southern alberta bible camp). Its a stellar camp and im pretty excited for it but it will be pretty challenging as well. Im the baby of my sweet family with an older brother and sister. I really love music. I play the geeetar and sing a bit too.(jam sesh?) Im not like an Ultra-Athlete, but I love trying stuff and pushing myself! Among many other things Im really excited for the community that kaleo brings. Its gonna be Rad!

Tanner.

Oh Hey! I am Stacey Renyard! And im from Quesnel B.C. (tiny little unknown town in the middle of BC) I will be working at Camp Qwanoes All summer (for the first time). Most likely as a lifeguard and maybe a Laundry person! I am from a family of five-the youngest. and my two older brothers are 19 and 21. Im really excited for everything in Kaleo and to meet everyone. :)

Hello. My name is Trevor Martin and I am also from southwestern Ontario. I have three older brothers. This summer I am working at a lumber distribution company driving a forklift. I am looking forward to being in the camp environment again, as this is my first summer not counselling at a Bible camp since I was 14.

Hey everyone. My name is Michael Gordon and I live on a dairy farm in southwestern Ontario. I have a big family, there are 6 kids and I am the 4th oldest, 3 older sisters and a little brother and sister. I play a lot of sports, right now I'm doing track and soccer. This summer I working a home on the farm.

Welcome!!

Hello and welcome to this year’s Kaléo blog! We are so excited for all that the Lord has in store for the Kaléo program in 2011/2012. This blog is meant to be a resource for students, families and friends so be sure to check back here from time to time to see what's going on.

Erin Karklins - Assistant Kaléo Leader, Camp Qwanoes