camp bon coeur

UPX – The Lookback (part one)

by aileen on April 19, 2011

My review of UPX

I’m back to blogging. It kind of got lost in all the planning for UPX (USING PEOPLE – THE EXPERIENCE) and the other things that demand my time and attention. Then the other day, reading a post from a friend, I realized I missed it. I missed saying what was on my mind, sharing the stuff I found interesting and interacting with those of you that read this.

your word is your bond

Sometimes writing is the best way to communicate, especially when you are writing for yourself. UPX was over a week ago, and we have had great feedback from it. It was really something different for me, integrating actors into the show, having to hit cues, marketing the show myself – and working with a team of people (without whom it wouldn’t have happened). I have been giving Using People as a speech for at least 5 years, so to have a director (the wonderful Cody Daigle) come in and add/rearrange/direct it was daunting (at first) it quickly turned into an incredibly easy and fun process. Along with Cody, I worked with Jesse Guidry who blew me away with his relaxed professionalism and his attention to details. If I lost a piece of paper, Jesse had the information backed-up somewhere. I’m really fussy about some things, especially how people are treated (I want the best customer service ever) and Jesse took that and ran with it. Over-delivering and making me laugh at the same time. Ask me about him sliding down the stair rail at a very security conscious company in town.

If you know anything about me, you know I believe you attract things into your life. If the people I worked with are a reflection of that then I’m very happy. We also partnered with Jolie’s Louisiana Bistro, their executive chef, Manny Augello is a good friend and (I think) a kindred spirit – a chef isn’t what he does for work, it’s who he is. He produces amazing food and I think his passion is the main ingredient. I treasure him more than he will ever know – and know his future is going to be bigger and better than his wildest dreams. He is married to a great friend, and hysterically funny person, Abi – she was the nun in the preview videos and appeared in the lunchtime show – and boy can she shake it! I love them both. Also from Jolies we had Luke Tullos, the mixologist of your dreams. I collect people who are passionate about what they do… and Luke is part of that collection. His drink (the Using Pisco) was quite amazing – every one loved it and they drank him dry. None of that taking a small sip to be polite and then switching to beer that night!

There are so many more wonderful people to tell you about…. the actors, the partners, the non-profit and the sponsors, and of course the audience. Part two coming soon.. maybe even later today.

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Summer camp – with a heart.

by aileen on July 6, 2010

My first visit to the United States was when I was 19. I came out to work as a counsellor on a summer camp. Last week, I went back to camp.
It wasn’t the same camp; it wasn’t even in the same state, but as I drove out into rural Louisiana I thought about my time at camp for the first time in many years.

I have a million good memories. I knew this camp would be different; after all, kids have changed haven’t they? I read about it in the media all the time.

I walked into the large room where lunch was just finishing and was immediately reassured by the atmosphere. The kids were laughing and enjoying every moment by being in the moment in that way we too often forget when we grow up.

I watched from a distance for a while, and I realized there was something different here — something unusual. The children were all so different — their ages, their backgrounds, their style — and yet they were all intermingling.

There were no little cliques or separation. Although they were in two age groups for activities, they all came together in one group.

As a communication specialist, this kind of thing fascinates me. I know that this only happens in the right conditions — conditions where each child feels completely relaxed and accepted in their own right. They get to be themselves — 100 percent them — without worrying about judgement.

When you create this environment, everyone benefits. As I say in my speeches: When you are being you, you give everyone else permission to be themselves. I was seeing what I teach in action. It was wonderful. This is what summer camp should be about.

The children were full of personality and questions. They got fully involved in every activity. There was no rolling eyes and cynicism here. These kids know that life is for living. This camp is Camp Bon Coeur, a camp for children with congenital heart defects.

You wouldn’t know by the noise or by the activity level. It’s easy to forget until you catch a glimpse of the scar on their chests and see the medical equipment stacked in the nurse’s room.

Each camper has a personal story, and here is it a shared experience. Here, they don’t have stand out for their health condition, they get to stand out for who they are. Believe me, they all take that opportunity. It’s a joy to be part of.

I wonder how it would affect us all if we had a place like Camp Bon Coeur, even for a week every year — place where we didn’t have to try and fit in, a place where we were accepted automatically just for being us and where we could try new things without the fear of failure or judgement. I’m sure it would do us all the world of good.

I’m hoping to be invited back next year; I’m already secretly looking forward to it. I’m sure the kids are too.

This column appeared in The Daily Advertiser, you can find the original here - don’t forget to recommend it!

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