Prayer and Leadership Week (Week 7)

Prayer and Leadership Week

    This past week was prayer and leadership week. We had a prayer room set aside that students would sign up to spend hour long "shifts" in to spend time with God. They each signed up for four 1 hour time slots (roughly one a day). Many students found this time really refreshing and challenging. We had chapels on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning focusing on hearing from God and embracing his guidance. In addition to this we had several leadership workshops led by some of the staff and leadership team.

    One of the workshops was about balance in leadership. Why and how to manage what fills you up and what drains you, so to speak. To demonstrate this visually, Korey brought a bucket covered in holes that were sealed with duct tape, he then had the students fill a the bucket as fast as they could with ocean water using only four cups. Then he had them do that again but he would slowly start removing the pieces of duct tape so that the water would begin to drain faster and faster, making it harder to fill the bucket. He then allowed a certain amount people to try to cover the holes. This was a visual representation of what can happen when we bite off more than we can chew and get burnt out. We need to find what fills us and drains us so that we can have a healthy balance of both.

    Harvest Party

    

    On October 31st, we had a mega Harvest Party! Everyone came dressed up in creative costumes (the girls all came as old ladies), we had a pumpkin carving contest, snacks, candy and punch, and watched a movie. 

   For the pumpkin carving contest, the students were separated into teams (their rooms) and had to carve a pumpkin and give it a backstory. Then each team presented their pumpkin (accompanied with music or sound effects upon request), and at the end we judged to determine the ultimate, mega, best pumpkin! Room 209 (David, Nolan, and Luke) was the winner. 

 

 

    Afterwards we had the students vote: movie, or karaoke/air-band. Everyone was ready to chill at this point and the resounding consensus was: It's movie time!

Thus completed week seven of the Kaleo program, 2020/2021.

Ways Get Involved

Prayer Items:

- Love Crofton: Safety, Good Weather, that God would be glorified.

- Health and safety: Covid-19 wouldn't reach camp.

- Friendships would continue to flourish.

Instagram: @kaleoprogram

Surfing and Camp & Youth Ministry

Thanksgiving, surfing, and Camp and Youth Ministry, not a bad couple weeks!

Thanksgiving

What a blessing it was to share Thanksgiving with a huge family like this! We gathered around the tables and ate an amazing turkey dinner with pie and shared the things we were thankful for.

Tofino Bound

The next day we packed up and headed out to Tofino. We hit a few stops along the way including a Kennedy river. After this pit stop, we would usually see Cathedral grove, but due to COVID 19 it was shut down. This year we went on a little hike that was absolutely beautiful. One tree was so huge that we were able to fit 17 students INSIDE it. The sun was gleaming through the trees as we walked through the forest and Korey gave a small chapel.

When we arrived in Tofino we got to explore around town before we headed to the church we were staying at for the next few days. We played some games together and hung out. Korey led a chapel on identity that night which was a real bonding experience for everyone as we got to understand that we all struggle through the same things.

Shredding the Gnar Begins

The next day we woke up and headed over to Chesterman beach to SHRED THE GNAR. Students eagerly hopped into the water and little did we know we had some natural surfers. It was a great experience as many were learning and encouraging each other whether they were learning how to kneel, stand, or just catch a wave.

That night we piled into the church and it was only necessary to watch Surfs Up with everyone to get us pumped up for the next day. The next morning we squeezed into our cold wetsuits and went for another round. It was an absolute blast and the students killed it. After a solid but tiring session, we all went to the famous Tacofino and ate some lunch before we headed out.

Just your casual washroom break on the way home... we don't have much explanation for these photos but thought you would enjoy.

Back at it in Class

After a packed surf trip, students settled into the class week with Sid Koop. Sid came as our very first in-person professor this year to teach Camp and Youth Ministry. Students got to learn what it looks like to lead this generation coming up and what that means in their life. 

Things to be Praying For

- Love Crofton is coming up soon and we would love prayer over the connections that will be had and the impact in our community.

- Time management with homework, service, and friends.

- Continued prayer for safety and protecting our health here at camp.

If you're interested in seeing more photos, videos, and updates, give us a follow @kaleoprogram on Instagram.

Intro to Spiritual Theology and Kayak Trip: Weeks 3 and 4

Intro to Spiritual Theology

(Week 3)

    This week the students had their first class of the year: Intro to Spiritual Theology with Cal Macfarlane.
While Cal was not able to be here in person, the students were able to all be in a classroom and take the class together, while Cal was on the projector via Zoom call. 

 

    During the week, the students participated in a day of fasting, silence and solitude. They each stayed in their own cabin and were left to talk to God, rest, think, and worship. They could hike Maple Mountain or wander around camp. We broke the fast with communion on the dock. 

    Quote from during the silent retreat: "....................." - Gabby Gamba.

 

Kayak Trip

(Week Four)

    The first day of the trip, we packed up the kayaks with all of our gear and food and made off towards Salt Spring Island. Or so we thought... It was very foggy that first day and during a channel crossing we got all turned around and actually ended up back on Vancouver island on our first attempt at crossing. However, on attempt number two, we mega crushed it; a "textbook crossing" as they say in the Sea Kayak profession. We had lost about an hour due to our navigational error but soon we were at our lunch spot. 

    After lunch we paddled to Wallace Island and set up camp for the next few days.

    The second day of the trip was a big (or as I like to say, "Mega") paddle day. We got up early in the morning, rustled up some grub, and hit the water. We paddled from where we were staying on Wallace Island to the far end of Penelakut Island, where it nearly meets Thetis Island. In between the two islands is a thin slice of water called "The Cut", which is where we had our lunch.

    Back at Wallace Island, in the evening, we looked for a spot to jump into the water and were able to  find a suitable spot. With Jared our lifeguard along we got to absolutely send it for a little while. Additionally, in the evenings throughout the week the students each shared their testimony for the group.

    "Getting to know each other through sharing testimonies was super cool" - Luke Johnson

    The third day was a big (mega) island day. We got to sleep-in a little longer and hang out for the morning. Some went about the business of snatching crabs from their watery home, whilst others took advantage of the rest time. After lunch we went to the opposite end of the island, looked for apples and explored an old cabin and house of a family who lived on the island in the mid 1900's.

    On the fourth day of the kayak expedition, it was another early morning and we set off for the big (mega) paddle home. By the end of the day everyone was tired and ready for a nice warm shower. But not before unpacking all of the gear and hauling the kayaks back up the hill from the beach.

    "It was the first time I've ever gone a full 72 hours where my feet where wet the entire time." - Janae Duerksen.

    These initial weeks have been filled with fun and challenging shared experiences and the community of students has developed into a very positive and encouraging one. 

How you can be praying:

- Camp and Youth Ministry class is coming up

- Thank the Lord for safe travels

- Love Crofton (an event the students organize, with the local church, to help people around the nearby town with odd jobs they need done)

Orientation and Mt. Albert Edward: Week 1 & 2

A New Beginning

Well, here we are in the middle of a pandemic kicking off the Kaleo 2020/2021 year. Who knew we'd be here? We are so thankful that were are still able to run our program in the midst of a trying time. As of today, we have just finished our two-week COVID 19 protocol, and can officially start function as a learning pod. The students are VERY excited to not be wearing a mask all the time.

Students from provinces all across Canada arrived at Camp Qwanoes on September 16th to start off their school year and we are so incredibly excited to do life with them this year. After all the students got settled into their new home and finished registration, we began orientation week.

Kicking off with Some Fun

Students got to shake off some of their first-day jitters with some mini-games the first night. After a few panicked name guesses, some awkward Mad Cow positions, and a massive game of Mafia, we got to see a little bit more of the personalities that we'll be spending the rest of year with. 

The next day we competed in some All-Star games, thankfully many of the students knew Disney Trivia. We later had a beach party with some tubing, wakeskating, the Jetstream, and fun on the Aqua Park. 

Introduction to Church Groups and Staff

The next day, students also got to know the staff during the first week. We all introduced ourselves to each other and each student was assigned a "Qord". A Qord is a Qwanoes based mentor/spiritual friend that students will get to know and hang out with throughout the year.

Students were later introduced to their churches that they will be partnered with for the year. Pastors from each church got to spend time getting to know the students, finding out about their passions, and explaining what their church is all about. We're partnered with 5 different churches including New Life Community Church, Duncan Pentecostal Church, Departure Bay Church, The Meeting Place, and Oceanview Community Church.

Time to Get Trained

Soon, the students jumped into the challenge course workshop. Our challenge course consists of zip lines, swings, rock climbing walls, and high ropes courses. Students were also trained in safety and leadership workshops. Throughout the year they will have opportunities to run the challenge course alongside the staff here.

Finally, we ended off the week with a really nice steak dinner with all the staff, students, and family members as a send-off. The staff gathered around at the end and we all prayed together as a community for this upcoming year.

Switching Over to the First Out Trip

For the second week, we embarked on our first out-trip together: backpacking Mount Albert Edwards. This was very exciting for everybody, leaders and students alike, as the first out-trip is an awesome chance to bond through shared experience, adversity, and overall a really fun camping trip. For many students, it would be their first time summiting a mountain like this. We knew that the weather was looking rainy and somewhat gloomy, but off we went.

Day One

    On the first day, we got an early start with a 6:30 breakfast at camp, then we quickly packed up the vans and the bus and headed to Strathcona Park. Once we arrived, we split into our hiking groups and set off on the trail. During that first day's hike everyone got a chance to share their testimony. We split into two separate groups for camping that night. One group headed to Circlet Lake and the other to Kwai lake. 

That first night a search and rescue crew member came to Circlet and told us not to attempt to summit the next day due to a big rain and wind system that would be coming through. The weather was already foggy enough that we could not even see across the lake, so we knew a summit hike would be difficult to navigate. That night it rained lightly and, for the most part, we all slept soundly.

Day Two/Three

    The next morning, we had to wait for the Kwai group to reach us so we could break the news to them that we would not be summiting. As an alternative to summiting, we took a loop trail to Moat Lake for the day. We revealed our theme for this year: Allegiance. Korey, our program leader spoke about this at the lake. It was a nice little lake and gave us lots of time to hang out, eat some lunch, and just spend time together. It was a much more relaxed day than a summit day usually would be. It was a very on and off foggy kind of day, definitely was wise to not attempt the summit.

    That night we switched campsites. The rain system came in at around 8 pm. And did it ever pour. It was a very rainy and windy night, if anyone didn't set up their tent and rainfly correctly, they definitely knew.  Even if people did set their tents up right, most of them got wet to a certain extent. As a result, many people didn't get as much sleep as they would have liked, however, in the morning the morale was very high. Everyone had a good attitude and helped each other with preparing breakfast, taking down tents and tarps, and distributing gear in backpacks. Everyone had fun and rolled with it, which made for an awesome last day as we hiked back to the vehicles and headed back to camp.

If you want to check out more about the Kaleo program, you can follow us on Instagram @kaleoprogram for more updates. We'll be posting more blogs updating our experiences, so give us a follow if you would like to stay in the loop.

Things to be praying for our Kaleo program:

- Transition for students into a new environment and new people

- Vulnerability and growth within the students and leaders together as a community

- good weather for our upcoming kayaking trip

- Good time management for classes