Those who have read A Hero's Journey: Beyond Little Norway and Olympia Sports Camp know that chapter 12, the 12th step, deals with the return. Chapter 12's return deals with the many people and places that helped in the writing journey I was on for four years.

A big part of the story of the return was given to me three years ago when Joy and I were afforded the opportunity to spend a month in Maricopa Arizona. It was in AZ  where I found the inspiration to bear down and complete so much of the writing that I had been struggling with. It's no overstatement that the peaceful mornings in the valley of the sun helped me get the 'bat of the shoulder' and complete this amazing journey.


The reason we were in AZ was to help Tammy and Wayne Beckett by taking care of their dog Lacey while they were away on vacation. I could write an entire blog about how much fun Lacey is to be around and how Lacey has come to mean so much to Joy and I.



But this blog is something Wayne did for me that I want to share. Wayne is from small-town Saskatchewan who has a vision for the growth of his hometown and found encouragement through the reading of my book while on vacation. Not only that, but Wayne felt compelled to share his views on what the book meant to him and to the completion of this town-building project. His kinds words and gesture mean a lot to me obviously but they also speak to the breadth and depth of the power and influence of Olympia. These poignant words are not from an Olympia alumni, they are from someone inspired by the words and lessons of A Hero's Journey and those of Dave Grace and the whole staff of Olympia throughout its 50-year history. I wish Wayne great success on his journey. This is shared so that all can enjoy. After all this is OUR book. Thanks Wayne.


Hi Chris, hope you guys are enjoying things there. 

So, I’ve finished reading your book  It was very good, I liked all the positive messages and I can see Dave Grace was a real visionary and believed in his dream!

 I related his “ bat off the shoulder” message to our families new project of turning an 80 acre abandoned campground into a residential 42 lot subdivision on the edge of our town. It’s new for us and it’s presented us with many challenges but we keep following our vision and look forward to seeing it to fruition! 

So many people have experienced the benefits of Olympia camps, the continuity of the coaches and staff speaks volumes of the culture there! Given the number of people you interviewed it must have been quite a journey in itself!

The connection with Jennifer is really remarkable too for both you and Joy. Congrats!
Anyway, just thought I’d pass on a comment. Take care

Wayne

OLYMPIA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION.

A group of people are working on an event that will take place this spring to have Olympia alumni get together to honour Dave Grace and the 50 years of Olympia Sports Camp. There will be much more detail coming out in future blogs but the first thing we need to do is establish the Olympia Alumni Association. If you are reading this we'd like you to go to the following link to register for the OAA.

.https://forms.gle/woWsggqM7zpUyHge9

We also hope that you share this link with people within your Olympia circle. It will take literally a moment to register. This will help create a database of alumni through which we can share information and create another layer of legacy of the history of the people of the camp. We know that the stories captured in The Hero's Journey just scratch the surface of the amazing people who have walked the land of Interlaken and we envision the OAA as a way to share many more hero's journeys and for all alumni to have a vehicle to stay in touch.The journey of this blog and the connection to Olympia Sports Camp alumni continues to evolve. If you have someone who you feel is a hero of their journey and who the Olympia community would like to hear about connect with me at coachdools71@gmail.com.  Within a community of everyday heroes there are many stories that people would love to read about, stories I would love to write about. 

Copies of A Hero's Journey: Beyond Little Norway and Olympia Sports Camp are available at The Different Drummer Book Store on Locust St in Burlington. Or if you live in the Hamilton/ Halton area etransfer $30 with your address and I'll deliver it to your door.

If you would like us to come to your town for a book event, email me at coachdools71@gmail.com

Online copies are available at aherosjourney.ca

Audiobook version is available at Audible, Amazon, or iTunes 

If you or your favourite camper are looking to get to camp in the summer of 2024 check out the website at 
olympiasportscamp.com. A week when you will meet so many great people. A week when you'll learn a lot about what you are made of.

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