Difference between revisions of "Erik Joelsson"
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== Counselor-in-Training Year: 2000 == | == Counselor-in-Training Year: 2000 == | ||
| − | + | Erik entered his second year at Birch Rock as a CIT under the fruitful tutelage of Dave Jenkins as CIT Director with fellow CIT's Nate Wetzel and Pete Callanan. He focused mainly on soccer on the field and sailing on the waterfront. He gained cabin experience in two cabins that summer, Cabin 6 in the first half and Eagles Nest during the second half of the summer. | |
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==Staff Years== | ==Staff Years== | ||
| − | ===Summers of | + | ===Summers of 2001-2010=== |
[[image:JoshC2.jpg|thumb|Chuck Hatcher and Josh, Swim Instructors]] | [[image:JoshC2.jpg|thumb|Chuck Hatcher and Josh, Swim Instructors]] | ||
Revision as of 19:36, 27 February 2010
Contents
Life Before Birch Rock
Being Swedish born, Erik had no concept of summer camp until he met the Weaz aka Mark Sutherland in fifth grade in Wayne, Pennsylvania. After several years of convincing, the Weaz finally got Erik to come to Birch Rock in 1999.
Camper Year
Summer of 1999
Erik arrived at camp the day before opening day in 1999. Upon rolling out of Mike Mattson's pick up on top of the hill and schooling Dave Jenkins in soccer, Erik was forever endeared to Birch Rock and vice versa. He spent the rest of his only camper year soaking up as much of Birch Rock as possible.
Counselor-in-Training Year: 2000
Erik entered his second year at Birch Rock as a CIT under the fruitful tutelage of Dave Jenkins as CIT Director with fellow CIT's Nate Wetzel and Pete Callanan. He focused mainly on soccer on the field and sailing on the waterfront. He gained cabin experience in two cabins that summer, Cabin 6 in the first half and Eagles Nest during the second half of the summer.
Staff Years
Summers of 2001-2010
Josh spent much of his time on the waterfront. In the early years he leaned more towards sailing and canoeing but it wasn't long before he was teaching full time at swimming. Josh was the head of Hilton for a few summers and was known for his antics with the camp's youngest campers. Josh was also a keen contributor to Birch Rock's Biroca Blast newsletter (??) during those summers. Josh and Justin Ingold would take all night at the end of the summer finishing up the Biroca Blast with the help of lots of coffee and loud music. Many remember the all-nighter Josh and Justin spent in the Infirmary writing articles for the Biroca and the following morning when they were seen dancing about on the Infirmary deck to Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit. The parents were visiting camp that day and many were full of smiles watching the craziness at the top of the hill.
Another fond memory of the craziness between Josh and Justin involved the two playing pranks on each other every morning. They would alternate whose morning it was to get something creative in his morning cup of joe. It started tamely: one morning Josh added a little salt to Justin's coffee, and the next morning Justin added honey to Josh's cup, and so on. The battle ended with Justin waking up early and boiling a cup of soy sauce and serving it to Josh as coffee. Josh surrendered quickly.
Summers of 1993‒1994
In 1993, Josh moved into the Swordfish and became the camp's Head Counselor. He was one of the younger counselors on campus and commanded a highly experienced group. Josh worked closely with then Camp Director Brad Smith and his Program Director Mike Mattson in organizing more events off campus and purchasing new equipment for both the field and the waterfront.
The summer of 1994 marked the first official BRC pep-rally the night before an inter-camp soccer game. The stump that sat in the middle of the old grove was layered with logs and set ablaze. The senior staff, in face paint and tribal-like clothing did a dance and began chanting around the fire shortly after lights out. Drums (pots and pans) were banged and the campers were called to the grove. The soccer team was brought forward and blessed by Josh and Mike Mattson and shamans of weather and victory. The team captains were brought forward and praised for their leadership.
Josh's Summers at the Rock
| Year | Cabin | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Eagles Nest | Camper | with Counselor Ron Mattson |
| 1988 | Buzzards Roost | Camper | with Counselor Chris Cogswell |
| 1989 | Pete's Palace | Senior Campers | with counselor Joe Curry |
| 1990 | Hilton A | CIT | Sailing, Canoeing & Swimming |
| 1991 | Hilton A | Junior Counselor | Sailing & Swimming |
| 1992 | Hilton A | Counselor | Swimming |
| 1993 | Swordfish | Head Counselor | Program |
| 1994 | Cabin 8 | Head Counselor | Program |
