If you will indulge me for a moment.... Twenty-five glorious Canada Days ago, I was just released from my mandate at the HofC and had to figure out what to do over the summer. Couldnt take a job until we knew the MPs werent sitting (really, when do they ever sit over the summer? But I digress) So here I was looking for a camp job. My alma mater, YCC (where I spent most of my camp life) had nothing, neither did Pripsteins where I had spent 2 summers. Seth Cole suggested I try Walden, Ontario-Nothing. Then my Tennis in Florida buddy, Staci Werbin-Tanner suggested Camp Bnai Brith of Ottawa Inc. to which I said-Theres a Camp Bnai Brith in Ottawa??? So I called that day and Shawn Ellen answered the phone, my interview consisted of-Does anyone know David Lisbona? Yup, sure come on up, so I packed my bags and headed to this new camp. I was assigned to 14 12 year olds (including Matt Ritter) My Jr counsellor left after 2 days because of heartbreak (or maybe it was me), anyway, I loved it! Being bunk staff was new having been a B&C guy at YCC and a Canoe/tripping guy at Pripsteins. I left halfway through that summer of 89 with Director Allan Katznelsons blessing and worked in the CIT Village at YCC following a staff adjustment there. The next summer, Allan called me and invited me back to head up the Pathfinder (15 year old) program and the rest is history, I finished in 1991 with a dream job as (among other tasks) I was heading up a program which had a disproportionate number of female CITs (too many on FB to name here). Learned a great deal that I am looking forward to applying as my two little girls reach that age (ya, right!). Now, fast forward many years and I sit on the CBB Board under Michael Polowin. It is without a doubt the most inclusive, active, and participatory board, of which I have ever been a part. The camp is in great shape which is so unbelievably gratifying, I have no words. YCC will always been in my soul, my training at the Y Country Camp was second to none, but a large piece of my heart resides on the Quebec side of the Ottawa river at CBBO. When I left halfway through that summer 25 years ago, I wasnt really going home, I realized years later that I was leaving home as well. Happy Canada Day to all!
Posted on: Tue, 01 Jul 2014 15:45:38 +0000
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