Hello Everyone!
I know it has been a while since I last blogged, meaning there is much to tell you about. Let's go all the way back to last week.
Last Tuesday we returned to Atikokan to open the season. I had a great car trip and it was good to feel like the summer was finally getting started.
On Wednesday the camp director, knowing of my enthusiasm for organizing, asked me to take on the project of reorganizing our office on base. I gladly agreed and spent all day Thursday rearranging the office. I would say the place is looking pretty good now. The photos on the blog or the office before. I will post the new-and-improved office look soon.
We lost power last week for an afternoon, though I don't recall the exact day. The outage caused lots of interesting scenarios to play out. Fortunately the power came back before anything bad happened.
On Sunday it was Fathers' Day...shout out to the one and only John Yarusso. Thanks for everything you have done for me over the many years!
On Sunday my family hosted a party for my Grandma Yarusso to celebrate her double-golden birthday, her 77th birthday. Happy Birthday Grandma! Sunday was also my Grandpa Widenstrom's birthday, so a happy birthday to him as well!!
On Monday I went into town with a few friends for lunch. We ate at the Outdoorsman. It was great food. We also bummed around the small town, going to the grocery store, the bargain shop, and the few other stores there are.
On Wednesday my interior design skills were put to use again as I redesigned and organized our staff lounge. Again, I will post pics of the new staff lounge layout. I'm really happy with the new arrangement. AND, now with the addition of internet to our staff lounge, the place is hip-hop-happening. I'm glad people are now utilizing the space.
Yesterday I went on a road trip to Kenora, Ontario. We had more people come up to Atikokan on Wednesday and some of them were headed to our third location in Bissett, Manitoba. So, yesterday I accompanied the driver, Kristian, and the people headed to Bissett in the 5.5 hour drive (one-way). I went along so that Kristian didn't have to drive back all alone. We also went to pick up a few things at the Wal-mart in Kenora. We had a great road trip and on the way back we stopped at a few small towns and overlooks. It was a gorgeous day and I had a great time exploring more of Canada. Look for photos soon!
In other randomness:
- I saw a bobcat on the way back from town the other day. I only saw it for a split second as it crossed the road, but it was still pretty cool.
- We have a local that works as a shuttle driver for us and he hunts bears and his going to bring the camp a bear head for our dining hall wall tomorrow. Pretty neat!
There is so much to remember to tell you all and I know that I am forgetting a bunch :( I think I got all the highlights, though I may remember and write about more later. Know that I am enjoying my time in Canada and I am making lots of friends. I think of you all often and hope your summer months are splendid as well.
From the North, Kyle
Friday, June 22, 2012
Monday, June 11, 2012
Let the Season Begin!
Hello from the North!
This past week I have been working up in Atikokan in the trading post, getting the place ready for the season. I finished doing all the inventory and stocking the shelves. We also put barcode stickers on almost every item in the store (to make checkout easier). The base is shaping up and we are getting close to being ready for campers. On Saturday we returned to Ely, MN for a few fun things. There was the Wild Paddle Ball on Saturday evening. It was a dance and a social gathering. There was a campfire and lots of good food (and some really good ice cream :) On Saturday we also had "Christmas in June." It is wear each staff member receives something, depending on their year on staff. All first year staff, including myself, receive $50 to the trading post. All second year staff receive a paddle, third year staff a backpack, fourth year staff a knife, and fifth year and up a painting. On Sunday morning I went to church in Ely at St. Anthony's. Sunday afternoon was pretty relaxing. Sunday night there was a Rendezvous, or a campfire program. There was songs, skits, and stories. It was a great time. Today was my day off, so I didn't do much of anything. I relaxed and read a book. I also helped out around base, seeing as I really had nothing better to do.
So, I return to Canada tomorrow morning. Then, starting Wednesday, we have crews coming to base a the season begins! I have posted some photos already so be sure to take a look! I will post again soon and upload more photos soon too.
Hope everyone is enjoying the beginning of their summer vacations! Talk to you all soon! ~Kyle
This past week I have been working up in Atikokan in the trading post, getting the place ready for the season. I finished doing all the inventory and stocking the shelves. We also put barcode stickers on almost every item in the store (to make checkout easier). The base is shaping up and we are getting close to being ready for campers. On Saturday we returned to Ely, MN for a few fun things. There was the Wild Paddle Ball on Saturday evening. It was a dance and a social gathering. There was a campfire and lots of good food (and some really good ice cream :) On Saturday we also had "Christmas in June." It is wear each staff member receives something, depending on their year on staff. All first year staff, including myself, receive $50 to the trading post. All second year staff receive a paddle, third year staff a backpack, fourth year staff a knife, and fifth year and up a painting. On Sunday morning I went to church in Ely at St. Anthony's. Sunday afternoon was pretty relaxing. Sunday night there was a Rendezvous, or a campfire program. There was songs, skits, and stories. It was a great time. Today was my day off, so I didn't do much of anything. I relaxed and read a book. I also helped out around base, seeing as I really had nothing better to do.
So, I return to Canada tomorrow morning. Then, starting Wednesday, we have crews coming to base a the season begins! I have posted some photos already so be sure to take a look! I will post again soon and upload more photos soon too.
Hope everyone is enjoying the beginning of their summer vacations! Talk to you all soon! ~Kyle
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
This Has Got To Be The Good Life...
Hello everyone!
I'll jump right in..Canada has been great so far.
This past Saturday was more training. On Sunday we had a talk from the General Manager, Kevin Dowling, in the morning. We then ate lunch and left for Canada! It took about five hours total to drive from Ely, MN to Atikokan ON. Our border crossing went pretty smoothly (only a minor hiccup with the trailer we were pulling). We got to base around 6pm and started to settle in. We had the night off and relaxed.
On Monday we had our first full day of work. I started right off and began taking inventory in the trading post of all the items in the store. That task took me the whole day. After work we all went in the sauna and the lake. It truly is the life. The staff here is so nice and the staff in Atikokan in fairly small (compared to the staff at the Northern Tier base in Ely MN). We have 14 permanent base staff where the Ely base has well over 50 base staff members. It is nice to be away from the hubbub and comotion and have our niche. The overall atmosphere here is cozy and friendly. Last night the majority of us went into the actual town of Atikokan, which is about 30 min. away. It was good to see what the town looks like. Not much to it and certainly quaint and quiet.
Today is more inventorying. I have now finished the store inventory so it is time to move to taking inventory of the stock room.
The weather has been cooperating. It has been partly cloudy with a few rain drops.
All in all my experience so far as been phenomenal. The people, the camp, the location....everything about the summer thus far has been great. I hope the same can be said for you all back home. Know that I am thinking of you all and enjoying my time here.
I will "report" more later :) Look for photos soon-ish. We only have a few computers with internet access at the moment, and uploading photos takes some time, so I may have to wait a bit.
Again, hope all is well wherever you are today and talk to you all soon! ~ Kyle
I'll jump right in..Canada has been great so far.
This past Saturday was more training. On Sunday we had a talk from the General Manager, Kevin Dowling, in the morning. We then ate lunch and left for Canada! It took about five hours total to drive from Ely, MN to Atikokan ON. Our border crossing went pretty smoothly (only a minor hiccup with the trailer we were pulling). We got to base around 6pm and started to settle in. We had the night off and relaxed.
On Monday we had our first full day of work. I started right off and began taking inventory in the trading post of all the items in the store. That task took me the whole day. After work we all went in the sauna and the lake. It truly is the life. The staff here is so nice and the staff in Atikokan in fairly small (compared to the staff at the Northern Tier base in Ely MN). We have 14 permanent base staff where the Ely base has well over 50 base staff members. It is nice to be away from the hubbub and comotion and have our niche. The overall atmosphere here is cozy and friendly. Last night the majority of us went into the actual town of Atikokan, which is about 30 min. away. It was good to see what the town looks like. Not much to it and certainly quaint and quiet.
Today is more inventorying. I have now finished the store inventory so it is time to move to taking inventory of the stock room.
The weather has been cooperating. It has been partly cloudy with a few rain drops.
All in all my experience so far as been phenomenal. The people, the camp, the location....everything about the summer thus far has been great. I hope the same can be said for you all back home. Know that I am thinking of you all and enjoying my time here.
I will "report" more later :) Look for photos soon-ish. We only have a few computers with internet access at the moment, and uploading photos takes some time, so I may have to wait a bit.
Again, hope all is well wherever you are today and talk to you all soon! ~ Kyle
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Canada or Bust!
Hello Everyone!
So much has happened since I last blogged. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday have all been a combination of Staff Training and Department Training. We have covered topics such as harassment, policies and procedures, emergency situations, etc. in "All Staff Training." In Department Training I have been helping out in the Trading Post here in Ely learning the ins and outs and helping them get ready for the season. I have been counting inventory and stocking items. Counting inventory is quite the work! It may sound mindless, but you have to think about a lot of things when doing it (how much is in the back, how much is on the floor, where is the rest?!, etc.)
Some other random things...
Last night we went to Babbitt, MN to do our BSA swim tests at the local high school. It was a fun trip. On the way back we ALL (around 175 people) stopped at DQ in Ely. P.S. - I passed :)
I will post the FEW pictures I have taken (I haven't had time to take very many) within the next few days.
AND, as the title eludes to, I am headed to the Atikokan, Ontario, Canada, the place I will permanently be for the summer, tomorrow afternoon. We will be there a little bit, then return to Ely, MN for a few days, then travel back to Atikokan on the 12th of June.
Hope all is well. Congrats to the Class of 2012. I wish I could be there at your parties, but know that I support you and I wish I was there!
Parting Wisdom: Remember that life is the path of opportunities we choose to pursue along with the unexpected obstacles along the way. Enjoy your latest opportunities and be optimistic about the obstacles! Have a great day!
Some other random things...
Last night we went to Babbitt, MN to do our BSA swim tests at the local high school. It was a fun trip. On the way back we ALL (around 175 people) stopped at DQ in Ely. P.S. - I passed :)
I will post the FEW pictures I have taken (I haven't had time to take very many) within the next few days.
AND, as the title eludes to, I am headed to the Atikokan, Ontario, Canada, the place I will permanently be for the summer, tomorrow afternoon. We will be there a little bit, then return to Ely, MN for a few days, then travel back to Atikokan on the 12th of June.
Hope all is well. Congrats to the Class of 2012. I wish I could be there at your parties, but know that I support you and I wish I was there!
Parting Wisdom: Remember that life is the path of opportunities we choose to pursue along with the unexpected obstacles along the way. Enjoy your latest opportunities and be optimistic about the obstacles! Have a great day!
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