Dear Boundless Families:
Everyone arrived safely today. It’s chilly up here, but this is balanced with warm water and an almost total absence of bugs – a first for this summer.
I enjoyed being at the Toronto pick up this morning. I sensed right then and there that something special may happen this session. I felt an absence of the usual amount of anxiety we see on day 1. Not totally gone, but relatively so. More on this in a moment.
But first let me introduce you to the cast of characters we have up here. There are 4 full cohorts, each already forging a unique identity. I’ll get you better cohort titles in a few days once the kids have figured them out, but for now, lets use these:
1) the Freshmen are led by Trevor McGarry, the most gifted trip leader in our fleet. What he lacks in fashion sense and subtlety, he more than makes up for in being a teen whisperer – especially with grade 9 wannabes, who are notorious for behaving like human beings one moment, and transforming into Justin Bieber-like indulged monsters the next. Trevor made me split my gut today, for upon his arrival at Boundless he felt slightly dismayed that the group didn’t quite “belong” to him just yet. He usually has kids in the palm of his hands by the time he reaches Peterborough. But this group took all of an extra 2 hours to become Trevor devotees. Poor Trevor had to hit the home run with his second swing of the bat. What does Trevor land look like? Kindness, courage, hilarity, authenticity. I saw this group on chores preparing dinner and they were already “home team”, to quote Trev’s favorite idiom.
2) The Juniors – led by none other than Aaron, perhaps the most gregarious of the trip leaders. Parent Alert – your kids may come home transformed into animal loving communist tree huggers. Aaron is a testosterone laden male – his varsity football and competitive chest thumping attest to this. Yet he feels guilty for killing mosquitoes, for he loathes extinguishing any form of life. As to how this mix impacts your kids, we shall see. Aaron popped out of the van like an excited toddler, proclaiming, “that was the best bus ride I have ever had! I love these guys!” The Juniors took off from the property mid-afternoon, and the scallywags have not come back yet. This group could be the most spirited of the bunch
3) The Seniors are led by Jeff McGarry, Trevor’s younger brother who somehow looks older and exudes more equanimity. Also laden with the misfortune of inheriting an inferior sense of fashion and tact – Jeff compensates with pure sweetness; and already, he has infected his charges with the plague of selflessness. I kid you not. Something is rather mature about the Seniors, who feel more like College students socializing pleasantly at a dinner table. Some in this group really didn’t want to come here in the first place. These same kids are now taking delight in their good fortune, because it dawned on them they they shall be treated like human beings.
4) And finally, BOLD led by Ashley Strange – no fooling. Folks around here call her Stranger. First impressions have her pegged as being reared in Amazonia, as she is tall, warrior like, means business and can charm the pants off you. Bold will have a greater emphasis on skill development and certification than the other groups, and Stranger is just the right gal to inspire ambitious outcomes. BOLD is a unique mix of students. 5 southern Ontario kids, all returning students, matched with 5 “Valley kids”- local teens selected as all stars by their high school, situated around our corner in Barry’s Bay. We put the gang in BOLD because we believe they will be able to meet the demands of BOLD. Valley kids are notorious for their superior work ethics and resourcefulness. BOLD will be beautiful. They landed with their feet running and haven’t looked back.
Its been a great first day. As to that special something. Well, it feels like everyone here is elevating each other. Standards for kindness, hard work, getting each other’s back, not feeding drama – these are all being digested by your kids.
It bodes well.
Wish them luck. They shall be busy.
Best,
