A Week At Olympia is what chapter 7 of A Hero's Journey: From Little Norway to Olympia Sports Camp is all about. It captures the energy and enthusiasm of the camp and the people who make up the fiber of camp life.

The energy at Olympia Sports Camp allows the campers, under the help and direction of so many Allies, to enter into a world where challenge and self-belief are all around. For some it’s the welcoming atmosphere when being away from home for the first time. For others its about skill and it starts at the Sunday jamboree where they meet new coaches and counselors and look around at all the other players, sizing up challenges and how much fun it will be this week. Others still use activity of any kind as a vehicle to simply experience all that Olympia has to offer for the week. It may be the waterfront, bunking up with 11 others, the zip line, the climbing wall, the Big Swing, gaining insight from those around them.


But mainly its the amazing people you get to meet and interact with. People like Austin Nzige-Nyambok



In the summer of 2019 I had the opportunity to go to camp most weeks of  the summer to interview people and do research for the book. One of the weeks that I spent three or four days at was Staff Development week. Most Olympia staffers would know this week as Pre Camp but that name evolved into what it is called now because it was recognized that that week was indeed part of camp, a very important part, that led to so much energy and togetherness for the staff throughout the summer. I got to witness all the processes and materials that staff go through in preparation for a summer of nine weeks of high flying energy while helping hundreds of campers see their personal hero's journeys. Very few Olympians get to see this, but this week is where Dave Grace and Greg Rogers truly inspire a staff of 120 or so to do everything they can for the good of the community.

I had always been impressed with Austin as a great counsellor and the high flyer who brought the opening and closing ceremony songs and dances to another level but this one morning he did something so cool for this one man that he hardly knew that I want the Olympia family to hear about it and know about it.

It was 7:15am and I headed to the dining hall to grab some breakfast. The counsellors were all there and the music was blaring,  already creating the energy for the day. After getting my food I walked into this sea of energy and looked around like a grade 9 student, wondering where I'd sit when I knew no one. Austin didn't miss a beat. " Hey Coach Dooley, who is your favourite musician?" I of course told him Bruce Springsteen. Then he says " "What's your favourite Springsteen song?" I told him and within seconds "Racing In The Street" was blaring to a crowd that probably only one member knew the song. That was Austin just being Austin and it was his way to start MY day off on a cool note and to welcome me as part of the family.

That's what Olympians do. Thanks Austin


This blog is about the journey of the  writing of the book  A Hero's Journey: From Little Norway to Olympia Sports Camp. The blog will contain excerpts from the book and my personal thoughts on what the place and the people that make up Olympia's journey is all about. The title comes from the great book Tuesdays With Morrie, by Mitch Albom. The blog's title is recognizing Dave Grace as Camp Director but all content is my own.


 

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