Camp Walden  

Working as a Camp Counsellor at Walden quite literally changed my life.  It gave me the chance to live and travel in North America, provided the spur to re-train as a teacher and allowed me to meet some great people .  

I first worked at Walden in 1996 after taking voluntary redundancy from British Gas E&P.  I had a wonderful summer teaching Fencing and being a Counsellor in Boys Unit 2 (9-10 Year Olds).  After Camp I travelled around Michigan and down the East Coast (Boston, Mass. to New Orleans, Louisiana).  I hadn't planned to return in 1997, but the thought of another summer at Walden became increasingly more attractive as I got back into the routine of commuting.  So, when Larry phoned and offered me the chance to be the Unit Programmer (UP.) for Boys Unit 2, I jumped at it!  It was the year that I made up my mind to become a teacher.  2003  was my eighth year at Camp and fifth as Program Director / Asst. Director.

	Sunset.		The Bell.
	Canoe on the way to Walden 2.		The Lagoon.
	The Meadow.		The Office.
	A cook-out at Walden II, a campsite a few minutes by boat from the camp.		The final campfire of 1998.
	The Camp Director playing  'Taps' at the farewell campfire.

When I got home, I described working at Camp as tiring and frustrating at times, but easily the most fun and fulfilling thing I'd ever done.  Being a counsellor is hard work.  You spend the best part of 24 hours a day with the Campers - sleep in the same cabins, eat at the same table and provide activities and entertainment.  It is true to say, you have to like children... a lot!   Fortunately, Walden is a pretty relaxed place to work.  You get one day off a week and every other evening too.  There are also 'down times' during the day.

	Archery		Fencing (Foil and Sabre)		Sailing		Windsurfing
	Softball and Kickball		Basketball		Canoe/Kayak		Performing Arts & Dance
	Nature		Water-Ski		Arts & Craftes		Special Days

The average week is broken into 5 'regular' days and 2 'special' days.  On 'regular' days the Campers sign up for activities and have a unit based program in the evening.  Walden provides a wide range of things to do - Athletics, Waterfront, Arts & Crafts, Media, Nature, Horse Riding and Camping/Tripping.

Evening Programs are either Unit based activities such as Water Polo or all Camp affairs such as the talent show - 'Walden Under the Stars'.

Special days, when half the staff have their day off, is when the U.P.s come into their own.  The activities on these days typically include athletic and/or water events, making flags and banners and composing team songs.  All Camp programs include a 4th of July Carnival, an Election Day, a County Fair and Capture the Camp.

In between all of the hard work, there is plenty of time to socialize with other staff members. Cheboygan boasts both a cinema and a bowling alley and there is The Pines...  The Pines is about 20 minutes walk from the Camp and becomes a sort of staff social club during off-duty hours.  The Mushroom Pizza is fantastic and the Grilled Cheese sandwiches are pretty good too.  If the Pines is not to your taste, there are other bars nearby, but not within walking distance.

There are plenty of places to go on your days off too.  Northern Michigan is beautiful, especially the Upper Peninsular and you have three of the Great Lakes - Michigan, Huron and Superior - nearby.  Canada, in the shape of Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, isn't too far away either.

If you like working with children, enjoy a challenge and are good humoured and flexible, Camp Counselling could be for you!

If you would like to know more - either as a potential staff member or camper - please feel free to e-mail me.  Alternatively, you can contact Walden's offices at:  CAMP WALDEN, 31070 APPLEWOOD LANE, FARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48331