The University of Olympia

 

There is a yarn around Olympia that some staff have been at Olympia for so long that it feels like they attended the “University of Olympia,” where life lessons carry them to their future.

 

Meet Simon Bernardi. He may have his masters and Ph.D. from this place of higher education.

 

Simon owes his beginnings at Olympia to his high school basketball coach, Pat Dooley. Coach Dooley encouraged his students at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Tottenham to attend Olympia as a camper or counsellor as he believed in the value, and values, of the camp so much. 

 

“When I was in grade 11, I was one of those kids whose work ethic was bigger than his talent and was a team-first guy. Pat told me I would be team captain in grade 12 and said I should go to Olympia to develop my leadership and to work on my game. My family couldn’t afford for me to pay for camp, so Pat made a few calls and got me an interview. I aced the interview and then got the job. That was 2008.”

 

How did Simon ace the interview? Coach Dooley gave him a camp DVD that used to be part of the camp marketing strategy, as well as a 2-hour DVD on Dave Talk that showed that the camp values were in line with his own personal beliefs. Simon was prepared, should be rewarded and was.



An aside to this was that best friend Cole Catney joined Simon at Olympia and, although they were competing for the same spot on the school’s basketball team, they embraced the aspect of working hard together to make each other better. The “we” is more important than the “me.” Here is Simon carrying his good friend and teammate, a metaphor for what they did for each other.

 

 Simon's journey changed direction a few times. At that time in his life, Simon's plan was to be an auto mechanic, even doing a co-op placement in grade 11. That summer at Olympia taught him that he loved working with kids, so he changed goals: now teaching seemed the logical next step. This meant that in grade 12, he had to take university-level courses and was willing to spend an extra year — a victory lap — doing everything he needed to do to become a teacher.

 

 Simon rose through the Olympia ranks and was a counsellor for five years, two years as senior staff and eventually program director and full-time staffer. A highlight for Simon was involvement in high-level discussions with Dave Grace and Greg Rogers and the senior staff team to come up with ways to increase camp numbers by offering new camps.

 

“Our premise was that offering different programs would raise camp enrollment, but also would give kids of varying interests a chance to have an Olympia experience,” Simon recalls. “ The list of ideas was endless, and they all didn't work out but many of the programs proved to be highly successful.” To me the process of taking risks that was most impressive part. That process changed the camp."

 

Simon began attending Brock University, but soon realized that it wasn’t for him. This talented leader, who loved kids, simply did not like being in school — except of course for the University of Olympia. His journey next took him to Edmonton, working for a company that installed garage doors. He had loans he had to pay off. It was about making money.

 

“I roomed with fellow Olympian Jeff Batt and we were not qualified in the least for the job, but they liked who we were, our work ethic, and our personal skills, so we got the jobs. That’s what Olympia helps develop,” Simon recalls. “I also learned how great a boss Dave Grace is. Most jobs you do what you’re told and nothing else. At Olympia, the whole process is living and thinking outside the box. Dave doesn’t just think in the moment. He empowers you and allows for you to grow and try things, and he’ll be there in case you fail.”

 

Simon returned home and got a job at the Honda plant in Alliston. The money, and the lifestyle were enticing.

 

“It was a pivot point in my life,” Simon says. “The money was great, but I noticed that I was using my Olympia skills wherever I went. Heart math, comfort zone, re-set, everything. At Honda, I could have purchased a house, got a mortgage, a great pension and gone down life’s path that many people do. Instead, Dave offered me full-time at Olympia. Nowhere near the same money, but a better path for happiness.  I chose Olympia. Now I go around to schools and tournaments and get to tell parents my story and how Olympia will be great for their kids, too. I want as many kids as possible to experience what I experienced as a teen. I was given opportunities that most kids don’t get, and I want to help others along their journey.”

 

When it comes to his own Heroship journey, Simon reflects on the growth that Olympia provided him.

 

“When I was in high school, I really struggled with mental health issues and I used sports to keep busy and to get through the day,” Simon explains. “Now I have acquired the skills to re-set and get into a state of flow by focusing on the positives. At Olympia you develop skills to help others and a result is that you help yourself.”

 

“Dave Talk, which is Dave, separates Olympia from any other camp. He talks about striving for excellence, but it’s the values you carry on that path that make you a better teammate, a better friend, a better leader, and a better person,” Simon says. “Olympia the place is really the people. How fortunate was I to have Coach Dooley encourage me and believe in me? How fortunate was I to get to meet and work with people like Dave Grace, Greg Rogers, and Bruce Ransom? I am grateful for having such allies in my life and I love feeling like I am an ally to someone else.”




Pay It Forward.  I think 2022 will be a great year as the camp will return and flourish, but we need to be allies. Now is the time to get the word out to our circle of influence The camp website is  www.olympiasportscamp.com Check out the website. Register your kids. Get your kids to get a few friends to join them at camp. Send a note to your club teams, your school teams. Do it for the kid whose life will be changed because they got to go to Olympia Sports Camp in the summer of 2022. Help spread the vibe that after two years the best sports camp in Canada ( with the four reasons we hear at every opening) will be back and be better than ever.  

 

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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