Aloha All,
Sorry that it has been a while since we've updated. We're going to swiftly get into "Volunteer Perspective Part 2" -- today's guest blogger is Trish Nolan from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Keep in mind, Winter School Break Camp is fast approaching and fast filling. Make sure you sign up today!
My name is Trish and camp Erdman accepted me as an international volunteer for 3 months. I have only been here about a month and can truly say that it has been the most exciting time in my entire life. One of my favourite things about this camp is the fact that they have a giant beach right outside my volunteer cabin that is all to ourselves! They took us on a few field trips last week first was Waimea Valley which is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen! Second was Sea life park which is one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Those dolphins left me in aw! I highly recommend people to come here to Hawaii to work at camp Erdman or to at least visit the islands!
Thanks Trish! Remember, if you want to contribute to the blog, email the blogmaster, Peter McGregor!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Volunteer Perspective
Aloha All!
We haven't updated in quite some time and for our newest update, we have another guest blogger! If you're still interested in submitting articles for our blog, please email BlogMaster Peter McGregor at pmcgregor@ymcahonolulu.org and we'll be sure to do our best to include it. Just an update on some things happening at YMCA Camp Erdman! Today is Furlough Friday and we've got a small and mighty group of kids having a great time learning while having fun here at camp! At this very moment they're doing some arts and crafts with their counselors Trish (from Canada) and Memo (from Mexico)! Later this afternoon they'll hit the pool with Ana (Brazil) and Phillip (England)! It's going to be a great day! Speaking of later this afternoon, today is day one of Operation: Military Kids Family Camp! Families will be checking in from 3:30-6:00pm tonight and having an amazing fun-filled weekend. We're expecting close to 100 individuals from our military community to be joining us! Most of these individuals are new to YMCA Camp Erdman so we're very excited to be able to reach more and more people. Thanks to our partnership with OMK, we've been able to host many family camps for our military community and we're excited to continue this wonderful relationship. For more information on Operation: Military Kids and their programs, click here.
Onward, now, to our guest blogger, Natalie from Canada for a little perspective on what it's like to be a volunteer at YMCA Camp Erdman:
We haven't updated in quite some time and for our newest update, we have another guest blogger! If you're still interested in submitting articles for our blog, please email BlogMaster Peter McGregor at pmcgregor@ymcahonolulu.org and we'll be sure to do our best to include it. Just an update on some things happening at YMCA Camp Erdman! Today is Furlough Friday and we've got a small and mighty group of kids having a great time learning while having fun here at camp! At this very moment they're doing some arts and crafts with their counselors Trish (from Canada) and Memo (from Mexico)! Later this afternoon they'll hit the pool with Ana (Brazil) and Phillip (England)! It's going to be a great day! Speaking of later this afternoon, today is day one of Operation: Military Kids Family Camp! Families will be checking in from 3:30-6:00pm tonight and having an amazing fun-filled weekend. We're expecting close to 100 individuals from our military community to be joining us! Most of these individuals are new to YMCA Camp Erdman so we're very excited to be able to reach more and more people. Thanks to our partnership with OMK, we've been able to host many family camps for our military community and we're excited to continue this wonderful relationship. For more information on Operation: Military Kids and their programs, click here.
Onward, now, to our guest blogger, Natalie from Canada for a little perspective on what it's like to be a volunteer at YMCA Camp Erdman:
Volunteering at the YMCA Camp Erdman just goes to show that you are never too old, or too young for that matter, to have fun. I arrived on the island of Oahu October 4th (first time to Hawaii). It was late at night and I was a bit jet legged but happy to have finally arrived. The drive to camp was overwhelming as I enjoyed the warm air, much nicer than the weather that I had just come from, sleet. Waking up, I couldn’t believe how beautiful my new home was; mountains to one side and ocean to the other. The day was to get even better as some of the staff were going skydiving, so why not, what better way to spend my first day? Another first for me. Over the course of my first few weeks I enjoyed working with the rather zainy staff in the Camp’s kitchen and exploring the island in my off time. I soon got my bearings and learned the way of the land only to find out that every day you find something new. Hiking, swimming, skydiving, snorkelling, surfing, shark diving, parks, beaches, and so much more. After a while I also started helping out with the Camp’s school programs and weekend camps. It’s amazing how you feel when you know that you have positively impacted another person’s life. I have only been here for a month in a half now but still have so much more to see and do. I have met many interesting people with truly wonderful hearts and I look forward to the next month in a half. Life is an adventure that you get to lead.
Aloha, Natalie
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Halloween Around the World
Aloha Bloggers!
YMCA Camp Erdman's Halloween Family Camp is this weekend from October 30th to November 1st. Due to the high number of international staff we have here at the Erd, we'll be getting them to weigh in on what Halloween is like in their home countries!
We'll start with Mexico's Dia de Muertos... article by Guillermo from Chihuahua, Mexico!
The "Day of the Dead" is one of the most ancient traditions that Mexico holds in honor of their dead. This is a festival filled with music, color, food and joy -- typical of a major popular festival.
Unlike a series and unfortunate habit, Mexicans celebrate on November 2nd. For them, the "Day of the Dead" is one of the biggest holidays of the year as they get their ancestors back to life on earth. A day of joy and bliss! Currently, the Dead of the Dead in Mexico represents a mixture of Christian devotion and pre-Hispanic customs and beliefs and is embodied in the traditional altar-offering, one of the most Mexican traditions.
The altar is a ritual offering respectful to the memory of the dead, their purpose is to attract spirits. On November 2, the dead have obtained permission to visit with their families, and their families are waiting for them with food and their favorite objects in life - a way to settle back and enjoy their brief visit. In the offering, the altar must not miss the representation of the four primordial elements of nature: water, wind, earth and fire. The offering also contains salt (purified), incense (the spirits are guided by smell), and Cempasuchitl flower that is watered from the door to the altar to show the way to the souls.
This is a festival dedicated to those who are no longer with us and where music, color and typical food make a great holiday.
YMCA Camp Erdman's Halloween Family Camp is this weekend from October 30th to November 1st. Due to the high number of international staff we have here at the Erd, we'll be getting them to weigh in on what Halloween is like in their home countries!
We'll start with Mexico's Dia de Muertos... article by Guillermo from Chihuahua, Mexico!
The "Day of the Dead" is one of the most ancient traditions that Mexico holds in honor of their dead. This is a festival filled with music, color, food and joy -- typical of a major popular festival.
Unlike a series and unfortunate habit, Mexicans celebrate on November 2nd. For them, the "Day of the Dead" is one of the biggest holidays of the year as they get their ancestors back to life on earth. A day of joy and bliss! Currently, the Dead of the Dead in Mexico represents a mixture of Christian devotion and pre-Hispanic customs and beliefs and is embodied in the traditional altar-offering, one of the most Mexican traditions.
The altar is a ritual offering respectful to the memory of the dead, their purpose is to attract spirits. On November 2, the dead have obtained permission to visit with their families, and their families are waiting for them with food and their favorite objects in life - a way to settle back and enjoy their brief visit. In the offering, the altar must not miss the representation of the four primordial elements of nature: water, wind, earth and fire. The offering also contains salt (purified), incense (the spirits are guided by smell), and Cempasuchitl flower that is watered from the door to the altar to show the way to the souls.
This is a festival dedicated to those who are no longer with us and where music, color and typical food make a great holiday.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Isn't the Internet Amazing?
YMCA Camp Erdman is so happy to be actively participating in "the internet"! Whether it's our blog, our twitter or even the slideshows and movies we post on YouTube, we're very excited to be online and active! We even have our own website!!!
As we forge bravely ahead into the world wide web, we're excited to announce that we will have guest authors of our various blog posts and we're hoping to have a recipe of the month from our amazing Chef - Chef Charlotte!
Stay tuned for more details!!
with love,
Camp.
As we forge bravely ahead into the world wide web, we're excited to announce that we will have guest authors of our various blog posts and we're hoping to have a recipe of the month from our amazing Chef - Chef Charlotte!
Stay tuned for more details!!
with love,
Camp.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
First Blog Post!
Aloha from YMCA Camp Erdman!
We've finally entered the blogosphere to talk about some of our great upcoming events and other things that are on the go to keep our families and friends informed!
YMCA Camp Erdman will be hosting Furlough Friday Day Camps starting October 23rd, 2009. Cost is only $40 for a spectacular day of friends, learning, recreation and fun! Bus pickup is available from Ehukai and Waialua beach parks for an additional $5/child. For more information, check out our website!!
Halloween Family Camp is fast approaching. This popular event features many classic Family Camp activities and of course, lots of fun Halloween activities like our Haunted House, Costume Party, Trick-or-Treating and more!
Fall School Break just wrapped up! The small and mighty bunch had an amazing week with their counselors Ana, Phillip, Keilla, Jordan and Azusa! What a great week! You can check out the slideshow at http://www.youtube.com/ymcacamperdman
Anything you'd like added to the blog? Email us at pmcgregor@ymcahonolulu.org !!
We've finally entered the blogosphere to talk about some of our great upcoming events and other things that are on the go to keep our families and friends informed!
YMCA Camp Erdman will be hosting Furlough Friday Day Camps starting October 23rd, 2009. Cost is only $40 for a spectacular day of friends, learning, recreation and fun! Bus pickup is available from Ehukai and Waialua beach parks for an additional $5/child. For more information, check out our website!!
Halloween Family Camp is fast approaching. This popular event features many classic Family Camp activities and of course, lots of fun Halloween activities like our Haunted House, Costume Party, Trick-or-Treating and more!
Fall School Break just wrapped up! The small and mighty bunch had an amazing week with their counselors Ana, Phillip, Keilla, Jordan and Azusa! What a great week! You can check out the slideshow at http://www.youtube.com/ymcacamperdman
Anything you'd like added to the blog? Email us at pmcgregor@ymcahonolulu.org !!
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