They say that a picture tells a thousand words. How about two pictures? In the writing of A Hero's Journey: Beyond Little Norway and Olympia Sports Camp I got to interview a lot of people dedicated to Olympia and to the vision of Dave Grace. Out of this process I learned three things about the 50- year journey of the staff of Olympia:

1- Olympia inspires young people

2- Staff inspire others to do the same

3- Staff move on in their lives, carrying Olympia with them, while others replace 

Staff like Randy Kipfer and Kevin O'Reilly


This picture of Harlem Globetrotter Curly Neal with some amazing counsellors can be found in the book at the start of Chapter 6-Allies and Ogres. It captures an Olympia moment shared by good friends and a world-class basketball entertainer, but the insert is the key element of an Olympia journey that spans decades. 

There are literally hundreds of stories of staff who have graced the lands of Interlaken. Every story is unique, every story is echoed through the lives of others. A Hero's Journey captures many of these stories, including the inspiring journey of Kevin O'Reilly. As with many Olympia journeys, Kevin got inspiration and a little push from a good friend. The many campers and fellow staff who have been impacted by Kevin over the years owe a debt of gratitude to someone who hasn't been a staffer since 1984. I'll let Kevin's beautifully written note to Dave Grace and Greg Rogers written 40 years later explain the impact. 


L-R- Kevin O'Reilly, Brian McMahon, Curly Neal, Ted Connors, Ken Muir

Insert- Randy Kipfer and the iconic Olympia van 1984


Good morning Dave & Greg,

It was late August of 1984 and I was getting ready to start my second year of Kinesiology at the University of Waterloo.

I had spent the summer working for a landscaping company and renting one of my closest friend’s, Randy Kipfer’s, apartment while he was up north “somewhere” working at a sports camp. 

Randy was a camp counsellor, and in that role he helped the coaches coach basketball and football. Randy was also the “Camp Driver” at this camp  in Huntsville, Ontario. I didn’t even know where Huntsville was, let alone the name of the camp - Olympia Sports Camp!

Whenever Randy came home for his 24 hours off, all he could talk about was the fun he was having with the great counsellors, the amazing coaches and the inspirational Camp Director.  All while coaching the two sports we both loved and played together in high school - basketball and football. 

At the end of the summer, Randy told me that he wouldn’t be going back to Olympia Sports Camp, and that he felt I should apply for the position he had as Counsellor/Camp Driver. Randy knew my plan was to become a teacher and that I wanted to coach as well, and he knew Olympia would be a perfect fit for my personality. 

(An interesting side note - Randy and I had coached a Youth Basketball Team together a few years earlier, when we were only 20 years old!)

Well, that was 40 years ago, and it began a connection with Olympia and Dave that would positively and significantly impact my life…and the life of my children, my niece, friend’s children…and so many more!!

Dave, your early insights into motivation and inspiring youth were pivotal in my teaching career, coaching career and life - and made me a better teacher, coach, and person. Thank you Dave!

Greg, when you joined the staff, I felt an instant connection with you and your philosophy of teaching, coaching, and belief in the inherent good in people. What a wonderful blessing! Thank you for your belief in what I was/am doing with respect to Mental/Brain Health and for the connections you made for me. They have been pivotal in helping me help others - something I continue to do today!

As I hang up my Olympia coaching shoes, I want to wish you both continued success in making a difference in campers’ and counsellors’ lives!

Have an amazing summer of 2024.

Here we go!!!

Kevin O’Reilly

Thanks Kevin....Again


Some book news... When up at Olympia to speak to the staff I stopped at the Cedar Canoe BookStore on Main Street in Huntsville. what a beautiful small town book store. It's right beside Algonquin Outfitters.  I'm proud to announce that copies of A Hero's Journey: Beyond Little Norway and Olympia Sports Camp are now available at this gem of a local store. If you are up in the Muskokas this summer, stop by and have a look


SAVE THE DATE 





















 ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 

The OAA needs your help.  If you are an Olympia Sports Camp Alumni we need you to register for the OAA and get those in your circle of Olympia contacts to do the same. The link is at:

 https://forms.gle/woWsggqM7zpUyHge9

OLYMPIA HAS AN APP! 


Olympia has created an App that will allow Alumni to connect with the camp events, read content about some amazing Olympia people, and maybe sign your child or grandchild up for the week of their lives. Simply use this QR code to get to the App and all it offers. It will take you to the Olympia website and so much more!




Why should I buy a book?

- See the 12 steps of the hero's journey come alive

- Learn a lot about yourself by reading about the journey of others.

-Learn about the land of Interlaken, from its indigenous beginnings, to the European migration, to the Norwegians during the second world war, to the launch of Olympia Sports Camp.

- Learn about the Community of Olympia that spans over 50 years.

- Learn that Olympia is a Community of Everyday Heroes

- Learn that you, too, are a hero of your own journey

How can I buy a book

-available for order through Amazon and Indigo.ca

-available at Indigo, Burlington Brant Street location.

- available at The Different Drummer Book Store on Locust Street in Burlington\

- available at Cedar Canoe Books on Main St in Huntsville

- available at the Olympia Tuck and Pro Shop

- Etransfer me $30 and I'll drive it to your house ! 

- available online at aherosjourney.ca

- audiobook version is available at Audible, Amazon, and iTunes 

If you would like us to come to your town for a book event or get copies into your favourite bookstore , email me at coachdools71@gmail.com. We travel well.


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