As sit in the thunderdome, our common area, listening to the sounds of Keeners playing in the water behind me, I am struck by something we sometimes neglect to mention: Keeners is hard!
For all the fun of this program, I think many of the kids are surprised by the challenges they encounter on and off the water. From my perspective, I think the challenges and the very reasons this program can be hard for kids is what makes it so successful, and such an influential program on kids lives. I thought rather than chronicaling the first week of session two (how did we get here already?!) I thought I would take the time to list out what I see as being some of the challenges for Keeners.
Reason Number One Keeners is Hard:
1. Physically- Keeners is a lot of work! These kids paddle all day, everyday, pushing themselves to try new things, using muscles often neglected during the rest of the year, and it makes sense that at the end of the day, or the week, they are sore! We try and stretch everyday, and do yoga at least 1-2 times a week to try and help our bodies heal. Ice and rest are encouraged for those more than just a little sore- but Keeners and the Ottawa are so much fun, it can be hard to take time off the water!
2. Living Space: Not many kids are accustomed to living with 20 other teenagers , who all love kayaking. This can lead to some rowdy moments, and it can be hard to find some alone time or downtime. Each of the Keener Cabins has a common area, in addition to one big hang out space called the Thunderdome. This does help give options, and allow for some time in smaller groups, but it can be overwhelming to spend 3 weeks with someone non-stop. The upside to this is that living, eating, sleeping and kayaking together for three weeks is what contributes to the friendships that come out of the Keener program.
3. Sleep: The days are long, and having lights out at 10:30 initially sounds way to early to go sleep- yet by the end of the first week, Keeners are asking me to remind them to go to bed even earlier. No matter how tired you get from long days on the water, sharing a room or a set of bunk beds with someone can be a new experience for some, and can have moments of frustration: Turning the lights off, keeping your space clean, accommodating someone elses needs... so hard! Learning to live with others... Keener life skill.. Check!
4. Food: At Keeners, the kids make their own breakfast, typically eggs, cereal, bagels, oatmeal, and then receive dinner and lunch at Wilderness Tours. Lunch is Hamburgers, and dinner is on a rotating schedule. For Breakfast, kids receive food 2-3x weekly from the WT kitchens, and have to ration out their portions amongst 6-8 people per kitchen. People can become territorial about milk, Vector, and Bacon, but learning to work together to cook and eat and survive goes a long way.
5. Public Speaking: Listed as a fear worse than death for many... The Keeners get to confront this one head on every monday night when we do Keener Speech night. I give out topics ranging from information from FA lessons, the importance of scouting, recognizing Poison Ivy, and topics such as "giving more than you take" and what makes you a better person. The take away from the Keener program, for me, is helping kids to realize that at the end of the day, it isn't only about how you preform on the water that counts, but who you are off the water.
6. Chores: Every morning, before you are allowed on the water.. Chores have to be done! Kitchen and common space clean up, picking up trash, sweeping out the bus, making beds.. all part of the daily routine. It helps to realize that even at Keeners, you have to earn your play!
Expect to be pushed in this program- both off the water and on, so that you grow not only as a boater, but as a person.
 |
| Sydney smiles in the canola fields. showing that is well worth all the hard work to be a keener! |
No comments:
Post a Comment