In my journey of writing A Hero's Journey: Beyond Little Norway and Olympia Sports Camp I came across many uplifting stories of groups of friends who maybe started as a campers or counsellors years ago and have remained close ever since, and we are talking over 40 years in some cases.

 I got to write about a group of friends who got together every March to watch some NCAA basketball as an excuse to have a blast and rekindle their groups identity. This despite the loss of two of their cohort to cancer. I learned of two people meeting in line at Weber's, the iconic hamburger joint that is a stopover for many on their way to Olympia, and because they sparked up conversation while waiting, have been friends ever since. They travelled to Europe together and attended the same university together, all because they wanted to buy a burger and fries. 

I learned of two women in their 80's who still travel the world, just because their husbands happened to coach basketball at Olympia. On the weekend of Olympia's 50th reunion Joy and I met some legendary Olympia staffers and 'coach's kids' whose memories are the very bedrock of Olympia, and it felt like they had seen each other a week ago, rather than 30 years ago. 

In my life now I know of a group who have been friends since their high school days at Cathedral High School and in some cases elementary school who now use Hamilton Tiger Cat games as a reason to get together and stay connected. They've cheered Oskee Wee Wee for 25 years. 

This blog is not about Olympia, although I am wearing my Olympia sleeveless, and it echoes the teachings of Jospeh Campbell, and Dave Grace. It is about the power and importance of such relationships. People with deep connections who maintain or rekindle such connections through their adult lives, to even children and grandchildren. My 30-plus years at Olympia and writing the book gives me a perspective that I wish to connect these groups of friends to a recent experience I have had.

Last spring Joy and I went to our high school's 50th reunion. I had moved to Pembroke Ontario midway through grade 11 and met Joy at Fellowes High School. Those two years and a half years, though, meant so much more than meeting my partner in life. I was welcomed into a group of friends that competed together in football and basketball, student council and great parties. These great people introduced me to Bruce Springsteen! Friends that through geography or life's path, I had not seen in ...50 years.

At the reunion I reconnected with some of my teammates and it too felt like we had seen each other last week, even though I graduated in the spring of 1976. As a result of that rekindled connection, a group of six of us, in my mind echoing the many relationships captured in the book,, decided that we should get together at least once a year and this past weekend was our second such get-together. We even named the group: The Falcon Tontine.

Truth be told, a few in the group have maintained connection throughout the years but for me the reunion was the impetus to spend  much more time with these great people. As with any journey I look back at these five friends with pride for all we accomplished as high schoolers but more so with what we have all done since. The group has been involved in education, world trade, entrepreneurial success, private business and accountancy. In the hero's return it is the wisdom we pass onto others that is most important,  and these guys are examples. Leaders in high school, they have taken the lessons tha life brought them and made lives, families and careers.

The weekend was not about glory days stories, nor was it 'what have I done lately' talk. actually we just got a few days to just hang around. Laughing, biking, swimming, and laughing some more. It was just enjoying the beautiful September weather on Round Lake and enjoying the company of good, good friends. 

 I hope and know that the same scenario takes place for the many Olympia friendship groups on a regular basis and I hope the Falcon Tontine continues for years to come. For me? It feels like I just met my best friends. A rich reward for anyone on a journey. A Hero's Journey. 

Have an idea or direction for a blog entry? Email me at coachdools71@gmail.com and lets talk possibilities. 

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: 

-  Tuck and Pro at Olympia ( ask about the coach's deal)

 - 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 

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.