Off water life at keeners- Anya Sachs

Keeners is not a regular summer camp. We spend nearly all day every day on the water kayaking as that is the main selling point of this camp. However, off water everyday life is almost or just as interesting as what we do on the Ottawa. Every morning keeners are tasked with preparing their own breakfast, unlike in other camps were all the food is usually prepared for the campers. After we spend the day paddling, we get back to keenervile at about 5. Different days bring different activities. On Mondays, all keeners have to give a speech. Anna gives us a topic beforehand which we then get to talk about for a few minutes. On Thursdays, keeners learn how to tie different types of knots and then we get to go repelling. On some days, what happens off water is even crazier than the rapids we run. Yesterday all the keeners had a movie night after which we all went to Walmart. Walmart really is a magical place, especially when you've got 23 kids running around buying the most bizarre things. For example, I snagged myself a 9-foot wide inflatable camel. In conclusion, keeners is not about seeing how fast you can improve your paddling or competing to be the beat kayaker. Keeners helps you develop yourself as a person. Everything we do both on the water and off helps me build confidence in myself and helps me become more independent. For instance, I now know how to make a grilled cheese. As well as basic cooking, keeners has helped me become kinder, more confident, determined, independent and so much more. I am so lucky to have gone to keeners and I can't wait to see what adventures the next day here will bring.