From Camper to Counsellor to Constable
This blog was started on Dec 8 2020 to promote my then soon- to- be published second book A Hero's Journey: Beyond Little Norway and Olympia Sports Camp. It contained excerpts from the book and stories about how the book came about, including how the blog became named Tuesdays With Dave. Now the blog has branched off to feature Olympia heroes and their journeys. My content is either self-developed or developed through suggestions and connections of Olympia staff. This week's blog is a letter that a former Olympia camper and counsellor felt he needed to share with Greg Rogers and now I have permission to share with the Olympia family. There are hundreds of people who feel they owe a debt of gratitude to Dave Grace and the Olympia experience for what they have done and become since their halcyon days on OxBow Lake. If you or someone you know has a story to share let me know at the mail below. My book captured lots of stories, but it pales in comparison to the hundreds that are still out there to be told.
People like Connor Shanks-Sim.
The summer of 2019 was a tough one for Connor, as he was not asked back, but instead of moping he looked at this part of his journey as a chance to reflect on his attitude and work ethic. When the camp didn't run in 2020 because of COVID and partially re-opened in 2021 Connor was eager for a second chance. He was working in youth support in East Vancouver and was excited when Greg hired him to be a leadership camp counsellor that summer.
In summer 2022, he joined the leadership team as a coach. He had just moved to Edmonton and didn’t have work or school starting until September, so the timing worked perfectly. He spent a total of six weeks in various roles, including coaching the Survival Camp. One of his favourite stories was when the survivor camp group built a raft at the point and paddled across OxBow to camp.
This guy is committed. He would take time off work to fly to Toronto and trek up to Olympia, for years. In 2024 he took time off while working in Calgary and participated in the full three-week leadership program, then flew home, then flew back from Calgary to coach Survival Camp week 7.
This summer Connor graduated into policing and was named constable in the Grande Prairie Police Service. So early in his career, Connor has been given support from the department that has allowed him to maintain his Olympia involvement. Their view is that his work, and community-based values, are reflected in what he does at Olympia.
Connor looks back and sees a lot of his Olympia experience as “right place, right time” kind of luck. He's incredibly grateful for the journey and especially grateful for Greg Rogers, who has supported and guided him over the years and whose mentorship played a significant role Connor becoming the person he is today. He also credits his growth to Dave Talks. As a camper he felt they were silly and maybe over his head, but as he got older he realized how valuable they were. Even now when he plays basketball he uses heart math as a strategy for managing mindset and staying grounded.
Now as a police constable he sees that in the foreseeable future he will use his banked holidays to continue his work at Olympia. Here's why:
From Camper to Constable: A Journey Rooted in Values
From the beginning, Olympia felt like a second home. I grew up playing basketball and baseball on those courts and fields, learning about teamwork, discipline, and healthy competition. I can still remember the thrill of making a great play, the encouragement of coaches, and the friendships that formed through shared challenges. The Outdoor Ed programs were just as impactful. Whether it was learning to navigate a canoe or build a fire, I was constantly stepping into the unknown and discovering new strengths. These activities didn’t just build skills, they built confidence.
Olympia’s philosophy centers around growth through challenge. Its culture encourages every camper to embrace a “Hero’s Journey,” where stepping outside one’s comfort zone isn’t only welcomed but expected. As a child, this could mean trying a new sport, doing the camp dances, speaking up in a group, or simply making new friends. But as I grew older, these lessons took deeper root. I began to truly understand the power of vulnerability and resilience, and how these moments of discomfort were often the ones that defined me the most.
One of the most symbolic moments in this journey was the day I decided to get a tattoo on my left forearm. It reads “Seek Discomfort”—a mantra I carried from Olympia, where discomfort wasn’t something to fear but a gateway to growth. That phrase reminds me every day to lean into the challenges life throws at me, just as I did at camp, and just as I do now in policing.
In recent years, I have had the honour of returning to Olympia as a coach in the leadership development program. That opportunity to give back, to mentor young athletes and leaders the same way I had once been mentored, was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. Helping others take their own first steps on their journey, and watching them grow into confident and compassionate leaders, brought the entire experience full circle for me.
When I joined the Grande Prairie Police Service, I quickly realized how closely the values I had developed at Olympia aligned with those expected of an officer. Integrity, community service, respect, and accountability. These weren’t new ideas to me; they had been instilled in me through years of campfires, team-building activities, and leadership development at Olympia. What Olympia called being an “Everyday Hero” found new meaning in my uniform. Now, the heroism wasn’t just in encouraging a fellow camper or pushing through a tough workout. It was in responding to calls, protecting my community, and serving with empathy and strength.
Both Olympia and the Grande Prairie Police Service share a vision of empowering individuals to lead with purpose, act with courage, and build meaningful connections. The language may differ slightly, but the heart is the same. My experiences at Olympia taught me to step up when others step back, to listen before acting, and to hold myself to high standards, even when no one is watching. These are the very principles that guide me on every shift as a police officer.
Reflecting on the past two decades, I see clearly how Olympia has shaped not only my path but my character. It taught me to seek discomfort, to grow through challenge, and to believe in the power of community. As I continue to serve Grande Prairie, I carry those lessons with pride—proof that the values learned around a campfire can echo far beyond the summer and into a lifetime of service.
Connor Shanks-Sim
A Hero’s Journey: Beyond Little Norway and Olympia Sports Camp chronicles the people that make up the history of Olympia, but it does far more than that. It serves as an inspirational guidebook for readers to become the hero of their own path. In order to do this the book examines the history of the land on which the camp has been built, from its indigenous origins to the European settlement process of the 1800’s. and the use of the land by the Royal Norwegian Air Force during WWll. The book is built on a collection of stories related to mentorship, sports psychology, and community building. This book honours the 50-year history of the camp while giving us all a window into seeing a deeper level of understanding of the world and our place in it.
Books Available at:
- Amazon and Indigo.ca
- Indigo, Burlington Brant Street location.
- The Different Drummer Book Store on Locust Street in Burlington\
- Cedar Canoe Books on Main St in Huntsville
- 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
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