A Typical Olympia Family

 

This week we meet Olympian Casey Pfenning. Kelly and Norm Pfenning adopted their son Mitch from El Salvador in 1992 and decided to adopt a daughter and went to China in 1998 to bring Casey into their family.

 

Here’s the wild world of Olympia connections. I had the good fortune to coach Jackie Zicaro (nee Shaw) in high school. Jackie had gone to Olympia as a babysitter, as a camper, as a counselor, and for the last 20 years as a coach. When she was in grade 8 Jackie was coached at Olympia by Patty Pangos. Patty and Kelly Pfenning had played basketball against each other, Kelly at Queen’s and Patty at McMaster. Norm Pfenning played football at Queen’s but got into coaching basketball, eventually getting up to Olympia for week 9. Patty was teaching at Dr. Denison HS in Newmarket when Kelly got a job there. In 1998 Kelly needed to take time off to go to China to go through the process of adopting Casey. The LTO position was filled by…. Jackie Zicaro

 

When I started the process of writing A Hero’s Journey: From Little Norway to Olympia Sports Camp, I talked to good friend and amazing writer Rich MacPherson. Rich gave me the idea to have a chapter sort of based on Chicken Soup for the Soul where anyone who wanted to could write a 500-word story and it would be in the book with their name attached. The chapter is called The Soul of Olympia. I put the offer out and Casey had a story to me about a week later.  Hers was the first story of many that now will be in the book. I wanted to honour Casey's passion for Olympia by sharing it here.

 

Casey completed her undergrad at Dalhousie and is now working full time at a hospice in Newmarket. By the way, why did Casey decide to go to Dalhousie?  She wanted to get out of her comfort zone and experience a new way of life. Where did she learn that? Olympia Sports Camp.

 

Thanks Casey

 

 

 

                                                Just a Typical Olympia Family


 

Olympia is a very special and unique place. I am so grateful my dad had the opportunity to coach basketball and my family was able to experience the camp life. Olympia is a place where you can get out of your comfort zone and connect with others. One thing that resonates with me was learning the Olympia dances. Every time I go to a bar or an event and Sweet Caroline or 500 miles comes on, I always think of Olympia. Going to sessions, free time at the waterfront and sitting by the campfire making s’mores after evening sessions are among my favourite memories of my time spent at Olympia.

 

 Another neat opportunity Olympia campers get is the chance to meet a variety of college/NBA players. Danny Green was the first player I met. At the time he played for the University of North Carolina. He continued to come up to Olympia each year after that and I remember when he started playing in the NBA. It was cool to see him grow as a player, especially when he came to the Raptors. I remember the time that we met Tyler Johnson and he demonstrated a 360-windmill dunk. I also had the opportunity to play one on one against Kyle Singler.  Every time I watch an NBA game, I am always cheering for the Olympia stars. These players work with and get to know the campers on a personal level. 

 

Reflecting back on my time at Olympia is very bittersweet. I remember when I was a child and was too little to participate in sessions. I would watch my brother and the older coaches’ kids go off to session and think to myself that I would never participate in session. I thought I would always stay with my mom, go to the waterfront, take trips to Kawartha Dairy, go watch my brother’s sessions or visit my dad while he was coaching. I remember the year when my parents told me that I was going to participate in session, and I was pretty upset because I loved hanging out with my mom and the other moms. The first time I ever played basketball was at Olympia. I remember when my mom took me to the first session and I was balling my eyes out!

 

 A few years later Rich MacPherson and his daughter Andie, family friends of ours, came to Olympia with my dad and me.  Andie and I were coached by Gump Hawkins and we had the best time ever. Once we got older, we were coached by Leslie Potter and had a blast. The coaches I had at Olympia were and continue to be extremely supportive, hardworking and positive role models. I eventually moved up to the oldest age group and that was the group my dad coached. During a session my dad told the group that he could hit a half-court shot but ended up breaking a light in the field house. After that I was pretty embarrassed and told my dad I wanted to be coached by Leslie!

 

Now Leslie’s kids and many other young coaches and their young children are having the opportunity to experience what my friends and family got to experience. It is very exhilarating to see how old families leave and new families come and how the dynamic of the camp shifts from one year to the next. The part that I will cherish the most will be the lifelong friends that I have made at Olympia Sports Camp. It will always have a special place in my heart.  

 

 

Casey Pfenning

 




The link to the blog is TuesdayswithDave.blogspot.com


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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