By Cam Lenhart

Respect for the wild is hidden in every lesson OKS Keeners teaches, the acceptance of the river however it may be, no matter the water level or any other factor. Keeners does not teach a "Minibus or nothing" mindset, rather a "there is always something" mindset. From Kahuna to Phil's to Waikiki, the variation in the Ottawa river teaches a flexibility in those who visit the river. There is never a reliance on any specific feature, and the variation in surfable waves creates mental flexibility as well as physical flexibility. All Keeners emerge from the program with the ability to look at a river and never turn away disappointed, to find something in nothing, and possessing the physical skill to create from little. 

Respecting the river in its natural state is respecting just one aspect of the wild. As with the other aspects of the wild, the only way to gain true awareness is to fully immerse oneself in the environment. I still feel the power and beauty of the Ottawa beating through me day and night, on and off the water. Only this can gift me the true understanding of the water. 

Nature is wild. The wild is unpredictable, it fluctuates, it evolves, but it is not indestructible. When we live in a world that favors green paper over green trees, the wilderness is at risk. We live in a society that the vast majority of will never feel the power that I've felt, that will never understand what I understand, and will never respect what I respect. I truly wish that my home country of the United States could be influenced by those who have been immersed, not by those who chase money and power. Many recent decisions have been made that affect parties not represented at all within the decision-makers. Our wilderness is at risk and so are the rights of many. 

I appreciate the isolation that I have had at Keeners because it has allowed me to focus on the beautiful things and ignore the not-so-beautiful things. When I return to normal life, everything will come to the surface again and I will see that not everything is as wonderful as it seems out here on the river. I will continue to be a kid for as long as I can, and I will forever live in search of the wonder I've experienced here.