This week The Tecumseh Leadership Center had the privilege of working with a team of pastor’s from the Lafayette, Indiana area.  The pastors come together periodically to share, pray, and to coordinate their efforts to minister to people in their community. An apt metaphor for their work was explored in one activity as they were given the challenge to set mousetraps with the stipulation that they could only touch the traps with the  provided metal spoons.

Anyone need a spoon?

The traps had to then be arranged in a particular circular order as per a photograph they were given.

Watch your fingers!

If this wasn’t challenging enough, they had to do this in a windowless room as the facilitator periodically turned lights off and tossed in ping pong balls. As they do in real life, the pastor’s worked through these challenges and successfully set the traps.

Steady! Careful! Steady! Careful!

Mission Accomplished! All traps are set, in a circle, and resting on each other.

The real value from this activity came out as they looked at and discussed HOW the group worked through the challenge and how the information could be used to help each other work through even more difficult situations in their local community as they minister in the real world.

Many of Camp’s weekend retreats are comprised of Father/Son or Father/daughter groups.  Many of these groups are a part of the “Y-Adventure Guides” program or a similar program that promotes Parent/Child interaction.  It is great watching these kids get time with Dad!

Many groups will do scavenger hunts or maps that require them to travel as a group to find clues.

It is often easy to determine which father and child go together.  It is customary for the guests to commemorate their camp trip by adding another patch to their vest.  Some vests are more elaborate than others and become something like a walking diary.

Keep up the great work Dads!

A black and white of the “Green Cathedral”

1945 Boys Session Chapel

Many people do not realize that Camp Tecumseh serves groups all through the year, even in December and January. One such group is the North American Interfraternity Conference which brings in men from fraternities all over the country for an intensive 3 day leadership conference.  This conference has always been held in December and January and we have always gone forward with the outside portion of the  program, even when temperatures were in the teens. This year, we had record temperatures in the low 50′s during the weekend and the men celebrated by playing a pick up game of touch football…..divided up by shirts and skins!  Development of trust is an integral part of leadership and the men explore this by participating in an activity known as a “Trust Fall.”

Trust Fall

They actually fall backward from a high platform and are caught and supported by their team members. This can be a very powerful exercise as it takes the idea of “trust” and makes it more than just a concept.  One of the parts of their leadership training program requires them to use their leadership skills to work to get a three-man team as high as possible on the 40 ft. climbing wall.

Team Climbing

This task is supported by the rest of the men in their group who provide encouragement, direction, and most importantly, belaying support which enables them to take risks knowing that the rope will catch them if they fall.

Belayers Encourage and Surpport the Climbing Team

Neal Morehead
Director, Tecumseh Leadership Center
(765) 564-2898

50 degrees and sunny!

Kayaker working his way up the Tippecane River.

I spotted a kayaker working his way up the Tippecanoe River toward camp.

Warm enough to be on the river in a light jacket.

What an unusual site for January.

The 2012 Winter Resident Camp Staff Gathering was held Wednesday and Thursday.

Round Table discussions

Many of the participants spent the night and others slipped in as their schedules allowed.

Round Table Discussion

Staff talked about last summer and brainstormed possible ideas for 2012.  A variety of topics were discussed such as chapels, cabin partners, unit games, overnights, and how to make counselors more successful.

Round Table Discussions

Thank you to those that contributed.  We are looking forward to another great summer.

Former staff members Heidi Olson and Sheila Wilimitis have coined the new phrase/verb “Twenty-Twelve-It”.  What new things will you embrace, step out in, expand, or upgrade in 2012?  Twenty-Twelve your attitude, your habits, your relationships, your outlook, your week at Camp!

Heidi and Sheila "Outdoor Education 1997 Season"

Here is an excerpt from Heidi and Sheila’s January 1st “Twenty-Twelve-It” blog post (http://twenty-twelve-it.blogspot.com/):

How are you going to twenty-twelve-it?
In one sentence, record for the world how you are going to twenty-twelve-it. Here are a few “twenty-twelve-it’s” to get you started…

• “I’m gonna twenty-twelve my health by moving more, eating well and drinking water.”
• “I’m gonna twenty-twelve my job search by believing that there is something even better out there and that I am capable of getting it.”
• “I’m gonna twenty-twelve my future by dreaming bigger dreams.”
• “I’m gonna twenty-twelve my relationship with my sister by moving forward in compassion and forgiveness because I know she struggles with her own insecurities just like me.”
• “I’m gonna twenty-twelve my wardrobe with a trip to Goodwill to both give and receive.”
• “I’m gonna twenty-twelve-it by taking care of myself spiritually, physically and emotionally.”

Post your comments and inspire others to twenty-twelve-it as you launch forward into this new year and a new era of hope for the good things to come. We all need a little faith, hope and love.

“How are you going to “Twenty-Twelve-It” this summer?”

“Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.”

Merry Christmas

The September 2011 Edition of the Tales is here! Watch for it in the
U.S. Mail or download it in PDF format right now!

I love taking photographs at camp.  It has been part of my job for many years.

Summer morning sunshine reflecting off the dew.

It is fun to think about the feelings and emotions that others will sense when they look at my photos.  One of my goals is to capture people, places, and events  that quickly take us back to our own camp experiences and memories.  Camp allows many of us to realize our potential and a picture can remind us of what’s true about ourselves.

Discovering more about ourselves and others.

"GOLD RUSH"

"Normal" is just a setting on your dryer.

Bo the hobo with his can of  ”No Shrink Spray” and Bible in the background.

 I would love to see your favorite Camp Tecumseh photo with a brief note as to why you like it and why others will be able to relate to it.  You can send them to me at vincep@camptecumseh.org.