OCA YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARD PRESENTED TO MIKE STEWART
Feb 09, 2010
Mike was presented with the Ron & Mickey Johnstone Award at a luncheon during the Ontario Camps Association Annual Conference in Richmond Hill. The following was included in the Conference Program Booklet:
Working as a team Ron and Mickey Johnstone made significant contributions to both the Ontario Camps Association and the Canadian Camping Association/Association des camps du Canada that have permanently enriched and enhanced both associations. Their commitment to the development of camping across Canada, and their remarkable skills in the area of youth leadership development has left us a lasting legacy. This award is now presented to camp leaders between the ages of 17 and 30 years of age who reflect Ron and Mickey’s ambitious lives, their ability to motivate and acknowledge others and, in particular, their innovative approach as leaders. While the OCA may not have witnessed their leadership in the camping community at large as yet, the nominating camps are the clear beneficiaries of this leadership.
Mike has worked with Camp Wenonah for the past seven years (including four as a full-time staff member). Mike is currently the Co-Director of Camp Wenonah.
Mike grew up at Camp Couchiching north of Toronto, participating in their camper and leadership development programs. He continued on to be a staff member for four seasons working with school group programs and having a key role in the direction of the summer leadership development program.
In 2003, Mike joined the Camp Wenonah staff working as Leadership Director and also a Group Coordinator with Wenonah’s Spring and Fall Outdoor Education Centres. Mike’s job evolved into a fulltime position and after completing his degree at OISE, Mike joined the Wenonah Management Team in 2006. Mike has given of his time as a volunteer at numerous OCA conferences and events as both a Committee member and as a workshop presenter. He is an active member of the Ontario Camps Association Human Resources Committee. As well, Mike presented educational sessions at the 8th International Camping Congress in Quebec City.
Mike gave hundreds of volunteer hours as the Coordinator of the four province Canada Tours pre-Congress event in September and October 2008 on behalf of CCA/ACC. His careful leadership working with four provincial camping associations (British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec) ensured a top-notch experience for the Canadian and International participants.
Mike continues his volunteer commitment to the camping movement as the website administrator for the new CCA/ACC website. Mike continues to be gracious in his willingness to do whatever is required from taking minutes at meetings to hosting out of province visitors.
At Wenonah, Mike has been an agent of tremendous change and transformation with programs and services. Mike’s positive imprint can be felt in all areas of camp operation. Mike has overhauled Wenonah’s leadership programs as well as further developing and evolving its outdoor education centre activities. Mike showed tremendous creativity and was the guiding force behind the creation of a new Cabin Challenge program for the entire camp population that anchors the middle of each of the camp’s one month programs. He has showed great initiative in repackaging all marketing initiatives including the overhaul and launch of the camp’s website as well as creating print and promotional materials each year. On site at camp for six months each year, Mike is the epitome of caring, committed and passionate leadership.
Mike is someone who commands great respect and admiration from all those that he works with. Campers, staff and families have all been gracious in their continuing praise of Mike’s work and the incredibly positive outcomes that have resulted from his considerable efforts.
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Camp Wenonah | Muskoka, Ontario, Canada |
info@campwenonah.com
| (905) 631-2849
"Celebrating Canada's Camping Heritage"
