XX GAMESSp!ng E"tion

May 2#9

Cairn’s Online Magazine ~ For Women of A$ A%sCAIRN PRESBYTERIAN CAMPING AND RETREAT CENTRES ~ www.ilovecamp.org ~ BAYSVILLE ON ~ (705) 767 - 3300

photo taken at the CAIRN Baysville site

Madaline Kocher at Pee Wee Camp - Glen Mhor Programme 2009

Be who you are

and say what

you feel, because

those who mind

don't matter and

those who matter

don't mind.

~ Dr. Seuss

XXG

AM

ESSPRIN

GEDITIO

N M

AY2009

!rom "e Desk of Topaz 3

...within every issue you will

recieve a small note from the

desk of Topaz!

# Word $om One of Us 5

...in every issue one of our

sta! or alumni will write a

special article for XX Games.

In this issue, Deb“Tosley”

Stanbury has written a

special article

!ood For %ought 6

...something for you to think

about! Every issue we will

provide with resources to

start important discussions

with the females in your life!

Our Global Vi&age 9

...Jessica “Sesame” Chapman

has written about her

experiences abroad this past

summer. Check it out!

'tanding on Solid Ground 10

...within each issue there will

be an article containing

helpful hints to apply to your

daily life! This issue takes a

look at Debra Beck’s online

article.

(TOL 11

...CTOL or Cool Things

OnLine will appear in every

issue of XX Games. We

encourage all of you to go an

look up all of these things!

Sta) Spotlight 13

...This season we have

featured one of our brand

new sta! members. Let’s

hear about her exciting

opportunity!

*usic + My Ears 15

...Find out the song we have

chosen for the season!

!rom Your Lips 16

... we want to hear from you!

Here’s how you get in touch

with us!

INTHISISSUE

While I know myself as

a creation of God, I am

a l s o o b l i g a t e d t o

realize and remember

that everyone else and

everything else are

also God's creation.

~ Maya Angelou ~

I just walked in the door. Maverick, our pup, and I

were out for a stroll in the early spring breeze. All

around me were signs of growth, things springing

to life -- and not all in the most perfect of

conditions. Despite the cold nights, the odd snow

flurries, and the high winds, daffodils are doing

their best to push through the earth, buds are

appearing on the trees ready to blossom, and

birds are singing out their new songs -- and as I

walked and took it all in, I realized that all these

things remind me of you.

It’s your time. Time to grow, to blossom and to

sing. Remember that each one of you has

something to say, each one of you has a

contribution to make. So don’t let others keep

you from sharing the gifts and talents God has

given you.

Make this your ‘spring’, your time to bloom....we

can’t wait to see what develops!

LOVE TOPAZ

FROM THE DESK OF

TOPAZ

!"ve learned #at people wi$ forget what you said,

%eople wi$ forget what you did,

but people wi$ never forget how you made #em feel.

& Maya Angelo'

WORK URL! 1

The LITs one year when I was camper

had T-Shirts that read: “All I Ever Really

Needed To Know, I Learned at Camp!” It

was then followed by a list of things you

learn at camp and as a camper I always

wanted one of those T-Shirts. Even then

I knew that I was learning things at

camp that I would carry with me for the

rest of my life. I suppose at the time, I

didn’t fully realize how God through the

ministry at camp was moulding me and

would work the things I learned at camp

into the rest of my life.

Looking back, I often remark that my

first “call” to ministry, happened my

first summer at camp, only it took me

years to see it that way. Leaving camp

that first summer, all I knew was that I

wanted to be a camp counsellor! I

wanted to do what they did! What I

didn’t realize at the time was that camp

counsellors participate in an extremely

important ministry.

Among the most valuable things I

learned at camp was the ability to think

“outside-the-box”, and I suppose that’s

what led me to Vancouver School of

Theology for seminary, I wanted to

continue to be challenged to think

“outside-the-box.” However, it was camp

that helped me realize that the ministry

God was calling me to could be, beyond

the pulpit, beyond the walls of the

church building, beyond the familiar.

Camp helped me to realize that ministry,

the ministry God was calling me to,

could be whatever God and I dreamed it

to be.

In that dreaming, in that “outside-the-

box” imagining, the search for that place

“where my deep gladness and the

world’s deep hunger meet”; in my

searching I found Evergreen Centre for

Street Youth, or maybe it found me.

L o c a t e d i n D o w n t o w n T o r o n t o ,

Evergreen is a drop-in centre for street-

involved youth between the ages 16 and

25. Each day, Evergreen seeks to be a

place of belonging and refuge from the

“All I Ever Really Needed To Know, I Learned at Camp...”

XXG

AM

ESSPRIN

GEDITIO

N M

AY2009

Evergreen is a safe place where street youth

can rest, eat, obtain health care, receive

parental relief and get help with finding a job

or a place to stay. Among my responsibilities

at Evergreen, is leading a goal-based camping

and adventure program for the youth.

Through this program youth are challenged

to work hard to meet personal goals, and are

exposed to the unique and in many cases

“new” experiences that camping and

adventure bring, be that dog-sledding, rock

climbing, or white-water rafting. Youth come

back to Evergreen empowered with greater

self-confidence, self-esteem, and motivation

to make positive changes in their lives.

On a daily basis, I am challenged to think

“outside-the-box”, problem solve on the spot,

and think creatively about programming. On

a constant basis I get to participate in the

building of community, the fostering of

healthy relationships, and the empowerment

of young people. On a regular basis, I get to

plan camping trips, and give youth the

unique experience of camp. Everything I

ever really needed to know about these

things....you guessed it, I learned at camp!

Deb “Tosley” Stanbury

Here is a great discussion to have with your friends, your mom, your sister or

the young women in your Youth group:

In recent years, you may have noticed more and more magazines on the

market geared toward teenage females. As these are directed at you, why not

take some time to explore the gender messages that these magazines

promote?

Get your hands on a copy of a Seventeen magazine as well as copies of other

magazines aimed at the teenage market. Take some time to go through them.

* Do the magazines promote independence or do they reinforce the idea that

teenage women should be more concerned with looks, relationships and the

approval of others?

* What would you say are the main messages of the magazines?

* Are the physical ideals that you see in the magazines’ photos a true

reflection of reality? Are there people who are not represented in the

magazines?

* Do the topics in this magazine really reflect the issues that concern teenage

girls?

* What do you think makes these magazines so appealing to teenage girls?

* Do you think that magazines like Seventeen contribute to lower self-esteem

in young women?

* What are the next steps we, as women, should take?

How Young Women are Portrayed in Magazines

Prep Work

Discussion Questions

Food For Thought...

I am only one, but still I am one.

I cannot do everything, but still

I can do something;

And because I cannot do

everything

I will not refuse to do the

something that I can do.

~ Helen Keller photo taken by Travis Allison subtlevoxphotography.com

OUR GLOBAL VILLAGEA FEATURE

ARTICLE BY:

JESSICA

“SESAME”

CHAPMANContinued on next page

A Journey across our Globe...to bring CAIRN and Presbyterian

Camping to the Hearts of all children.

“Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the

believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity (Timothy 4:12).

XXG

AM

ESSPRIN

GEDITIO

N M

AY2009

by Jessica “Sesame” Chapman

O n e o f m y f a v o u r i t e

Bible verses says “Don't let anyone look down

on you because you are young, but set an

example for the believers in speech, in life, in

love, in faith and in purity (Timothy 4:12). I

have always believed and have tried to show

that actions speak much louder than words.

This past summer I had the chance to put that

conviction to the test. To let my faith and love

for God motivate me to love others actively

and practically, and travel to Eastern Europe

along with two other staff members, Konk and

Kiwi, to share with children in impoverished

and rural communities the camping ministry

that we so love and cherish.

We were working primarily within the Roma

(also known at Gypsy) community which has

had a troubled and sorry past in Eastern

Europe, and they still struggle to lift themselves

out of it. Roma are often very poor people

with little education. They live in groups, in very

small houses on the outskirts of villages or in their

own settlements. In these families there are usually

a lot of children and many don’t have the

opportunity to go to school. The Roma have darker

skin and they are discriminated against by people

and the government. Many of the children we

worked with came from communities where they

are often left with little structure or guidance, live

in small houses with few amenities, and must cope

with poverty and broken families. But even in this

harsh environment we saw many things to be

optimistic about. Throughout the trip we continued

to meet missionaries and church leaders who are

truly committed to working with Roma

communities and that are doing great

work in developing places of worship,

schools and summer camps in many

Roma communities throughout the

Carpathian Basin in Eastern Europe.

When we worked with children and

community leaders that come from

strong communities of faith we sensed a

lot of joy and excitement, resourcefulness

and celebration in their way of life.

During our mission trip we took part in 3

different summer camps in Ukraine,

Southern Hungary and Croatia. At each of

these camps we lead daily crafts, group

activities like games and relay races,

helped to keep campers entertained

during free time, taught camp songs and

supported local leaders by passing on a

little bit of our experiences working at

camp to them. It was very special

spending time with and getting to know

the leaders and the children we worked

with. One of the things that really stands

out for me is that any camp setting can

be a magical and wonderful place no

matter where it is. I noticed so many

similarities between working at these

camps this summer and all of my experience

working at Glen Mhor. The power of song, the

sound of laughter, and the look of joy on a child’s

face for things as simple as making their very own

beaded necklace or a leader devoting their full

attention to them can transcend great differences.

The amount of energy children have, even after

playing outside all day long, and their love for

games like football, duck duck goose, freeze tag and

many others can cross cultural and language

barriers. For me there were also the mixed feelings

of joy, satisfaction and exhaustion that I feel at the

end of everyday working at camp.

I also learned more about my faith, by putting faith

in action, challenging myself and deepening my

commitment to follow God’s path for me. I was in

a position to really be on the look out for and

clearly see God working in the lives and

communities of the people and places we visited,

and I could see Him shining His light everywhere

we went. I challenged myself to put my faith to the

test by getting involved, by not just praying for

others, but rolling up my sleeves, leaving the

comfort of my home and doing something with the

talents I have been blessed with. And camping is not

only something I love, but something that I love

sharing with others. I hope that this is just the

beginning for our local church and camp leaders to

strengthen ties between the two church bodies in

Canada and Eastern Europe so that we can

continue to impart a true appreciation of each

others cultures and for both parties to work

together again.

JESSICA “SESAME” CHAPMAN

Last summer Sesame, along side two

other staff embers (Kiwi and Konk) got

the opportunity to take CAIRN Abroad to

three different countries: Hungry,

Croatia,and the Ukraine

Sesame has a long camp History. She

was a long time camper and also staff

member. On Staff Sesame did many

different jobs; Counsellor, Arts n’ Crafts

Director, Administrator, and LIT Director.

OUR GLOBAL

VILLAGE

“...I noticed so many

similarities between working

at these camps this summer

and all of my experience

working at Glen Mhor. The

power of song, the sound of

laughter, and the look of joy on

a child’s face for things as

simple as making their very

own beaded necklace or a

leader devoting their full

attention to them can

transcend great differences.”

XXG

AM

ESSPRIN

GEDITIO

N M

AY2009

Check out this online article by Debra Beck: “Empowering Teenage Girls: Five Ways to Build Great Friendships”

It’s a quick read that gives you 5 ways to protect yourself from mean girls and unhealthy friendships. It is found on the website, “My Feet Are Ugly”.

Debra Beck is a mom, a mentor, a speaker and an expert on the issues facing teen girls.

http://www.myfeetarentugly.com/challenges1.html

Photo taken by Natasha Dunn natashalcd.com

Standing on SOLID Ground

XXGAMES

SP

RIN

GE

DIT

ION

2009

Remove those 'I want you

to like me' stickers from

y o u r f o r e h e a d a n d ,

in s tead, p lace them

where they truly will do

the most good -- on your

mirror!

~ Susan Jeffersphoto taken by Travis Allison subtlevoxphotography.com

1

XXG

AM

ES

SP

RIN

GE

DIT

ION

MA

Y2009

COOL THINGS

Each and every month we

provide you with many different

cool, fun and exciting things to

go and check out for yourself!

We recommend that you look

some of this stuff up because it

is just that cool!

ONLINE

Here is a list of websites we came across that

might be of interest to you. They celebrate the empowerment of young

females in a variety of activities and disciplines.

CTOLCool Things Online

Check out this youtube video by

Dove. It’s all about building

confidence and self-esteem.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=IWzbIVwGd1E

Here is a fantastic Resource for

your women of all ages:

http://www.scils.rutgers.edu/

professional-development/childlit/

girllist.html

Here’s is a national collection of

photographs taken by teenage

girls. It’s called The Girl Project:

http://www.thegirlproject.org/

Always be a first-rate

version of yourself,

instead of a second-

rate version of

somebody else.

- Judy Garland

Alyssa “Steinway” Townsend

For two weeks this summer,

Steinway will be leaving Cairn to go to

United Space School at the NASA facility

in Houston, Texas. If you come to camp in

August, she will tell you all about it.

It all started with a bit of healthy

competition. MDA Robotics, the company

t h a t m a d e C a n a d a r m 2 f o r t h e

In ternat iona l Space Stat ion, was

supposed to choose two Canadian

Students to go to United Space School.

They chose Steinway’s school, Marc

Garneau Collegiate Institute, at which to

hold the competition, because of the

excellent math and science program and the

presence of the Canadian Space Resource

Centre (CSRC). Steinway submitted an

application and then spent a week hanging

around the CSRC reading about the Hubble

Space Telescope, the ISS, and other great

space programmes. To Steinway’s great joy,

she was chosen as one of the two Canadians

to attend.

At Space School, Steinway will get to meet

NASA engineers, astronauts, and scientists.

She will get to see the space probes, rockets,

and propulsion systems. She might even get

to do some flight simulations. While she waits

for Space School to start, she plans to spend

her time reading books about mars,

interstellar space exploration, and solar

propulsion. And after Space School, she

plans to go on to study engineering science

at U of T and become an Aerospace engineer

(an actual rocket scientist!). Steinway’s

dreams are becoming a reality. Yours can too.

So set your sights high, reach for the stars,

and never give up. Someday, when you look

up at the stars, maybe Steinway will be

waving back.

Staff SpotlightXXG

AM

ES

SP

RIN

GE

DIT

ION

MA

Y2009

A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.

--Maya Angelou

PHOTO TAKEN BY TRAVIS ALLISON SUBTLEVOXPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

1

OUR SONG FOR THIS EDITION

"FRECKLES" by Natasha Bedingfield

I used to care so much about what

others think about,

Almost didn't have a thought of my

own,

The slightest remark would make me

embark,

On the journey of self doubt.

But that was a while ago

This girl has got stronger.

If I knew then what I know now

I would have told myself don't worry

any longer it's OK

[Chorus]:

'cause a face without freckles is like a

sky without stars

Why waste a second not loving who

you are

Those little imperfections make you

beautiful, lovable, valuable,

They show your personality inside your

heart

Reflecting who you are

Who you are,Who you are, Who you

are

I wondered if I could trade my body

with somebody else in magazines

Would the whole world fall at my feet?

I felt unworthy and would blame my

failures on the ugliness I could see

When the mirror looked at me

Sometimes I feel like the little girl who

doesn't belong in her own world

But I'm getting better

And I'm reminding myself

[Chorus]:

'cause a face without freckles is like a

sky without stars

Why waste a second not loving who

you are

Those little imperfections make you

beautiful, lovable, valuable,

They show your personality inside your

heart

Reflecting who you are

Who you are,Who you are, Who you

are

MUSIC TO MY EARSXXG

AM

ESSPRIN

GEDITIO

N M

AY2009

IF YOU WANNA LISTEN:

http://

www.youtube.com/

watch?v=8zjDFgWZvTM

Our favorite lines are in

the chorus:

“Why waste a second

not loving who you are?

Those little imperfections

make you beautiful,

lovable, valuable,

They show your

personality inside your

heart

Reflecting who you are”

photos taken by Travis Allison www.subtlevoxphotography.com

We would like to hear from you!

Please send us your poems or

short essays. We would love to

share your thoughts and

feelings about being a young

woman (or a woman still ‘young

at heart’) with all our readers!

This is your magazine. We have created it so

that our female campers, LITs, staff members

and alumni, can contribute and build each other

up. We want to know what you are up to, what

you worry about, where you find strength. Our

next issue will come out in the summer of 2009

and we would love add articles from you,

profiles form you , advice from you. We want to

share what you are doing, what groups you are

involved in and how you are making the world a

better place! If you have books we should read,

workshops we should attend, or other ideas to

share, that will help us to develop, more

confident women, please drop us a line at

topaz@ilovecamp.org.

XXG

AM

ESSPRIN

GEDITIO

N M

AY2009

FROM YOUR LIPS