Difference between revisions of "Dave Jenkins"

From Birocapedia
Jump to navigationJump to search
(New page: thumb|Mike in front of the plaque commemorating his 25 years with Birch Rock Dave Jenkins has been a member of the Birch Rock community since 1983. After 3 camp...)
 
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Image:2007-08-04 3.jpg|thumb|Mike in front of the plaque commemorating his 25 years with Birch Rock]]
 
 
Dave Jenkins has been a member of the Birch Rock community since 1983.  After 3 camper summers, Dave spent a number of summers teaching on the field including acting as Field Director in 1990.  Dave served as Waterfront Direcot for a summer before finding his real calling as a Trip Leader in 1993.  For the next eight summers Dave focused much of his energy into reinvigorating Birch Rock's Trip Program.  From organizing the trip room and inventory to planning and initiating trips, as well as leading many, Dave single-handedly kept the tradition that had been going on since the days of Buck Hard of every camper going on at least one trip every summer.  Dave also improved upon the camp's already established "Leave No Trace" policies and practices and brought the camp into the new century by formulating trip manuels and paperwork for future trip leaders.  In 2004, Dave returned to act as Assistant Director and spent much of the summer helping with the medical side of camp.
 
Dave Jenkins has been a member of the Birch Rock community since 1983.  After 3 camper summers, Dave spent a number of summers teaching on the field including acting as Field Director in 1990.  Dave served as Waterfront Direcot for a summer before finding his real calling as a Trip Leader in 1993.  For the next eight summers Dave focused much of his energy into reinvigorating Birch Rock's Trip Program.  From organizing the trip room and inventory to planning and initiating trips, as well as leading many, Dave single-handedly kept the tradition that had been going on since the days of Buck Hard of every camper going on at least one trip every summer.  Dave also improved upon the camp's already established "Leave No Trace" policies and practices and brought the camp into the new century by formulating trip manuels and paperwork for future trip leaders.  In 2004, Dave returned to act as Assistant Director and spent much of the summer helping with the medical side of camp.
  
Line 24: Line 23:
 
==Counselor-in-Training Year: 1986==
 
==Counselor-in-Training Year: 1986==
  
[[image:MikeCIT.jpg|thumb|Mike after a CIT skit]]
+
[[image:DaveCIT.jpg|thumb|Dave after a CIT skit]]
 
In the summer of 1986, Dave was thrilled to be heading into the staff ranks.  Most of Dave's connections at camp were with people older then he was, and he was truly thrilled to be working along side those he had admired over the last few summers.  At this point Dave was being groomed to be a BRC field counselor.  In those days everyone taught everywhere but Dave was mostly field focused.
 
In the summer of 1986, Dave was thrilled to be heading into the staff ranks.  Most of Dave's connections at camp were with people older then he was, and he was truly thrilled to be working along side those he had admired over the last few summers.  At this point Dave was being groomed to be a BRC field counselor.  In those days everyone taught everywhere but Dave was mostly field focused.
  
Line 35: Line 34:
  
 
===Summers of 1993-2000===
 
===Summers of 1993-2000===
 
[[image:Mike90.jpg|thumb|Mike on the St Croix trip in 1990]]
 
Dave returned in 1993.  New director Brad Smith asked Dave to help out with the trip program.  Brad had planned on many of our trips to be guided by guide companies, but hired David to lead a few of the main trips Birch Rock has always had.  Dave was great on the field and waterfront but finally camp had found his calling.  With Birch Rock struggling financially for so many summers  Mike was the Waterfront Director and Senior Camper Counselor in 1990, 1992, and 1993.  He was in [[Pete's Palace]] in 1990 and Cabin 8 in '92 & '93.  These were the lean years of Birch Rock, prior to its resurgence with the reconstruction of the lodge in 1994-'95. 
 
 
During the summer of 1990, Mike and five campers were in a major car accident while returning to camp from the St. Croix River trip.  The accident happened towards the end of the season and Mike was determined to get right back to camp.  So after a couple of days rest, Mike was back down on the waterfront teaching swimming.  Mike was featured in the new camp video shortly after the accident with scars on his face.  This video was the camp promotional video for almost ten years.
 
 
From 1987-'90, many campers would beg to be on the Mattson team during Cross-Camp Capture the Flag.  Mike and his brother Ron would often serve on a team together and went undefeated when paired for five consecutive seasons during every Cross-Camp game.  When Mike returned to camp in 1992, his brother Ron decided to make them heads of the opposing teams.  Ron's team won two out three games.  Mike was "shot" off the catwalks by his brother for the first time since joining the staff ranks five summers earlier.
 
 
It was sometime in the early '90s that Mike was a [[Campfire]] MC with his step-brother Dave Jenkins and then with Brian Roskow a year later.  Dave and Mike brought back the [[Zambini Brothers]] skit that has been a part of Birch Rock for almost 40 years, and even added the 'mirror push-ups' piece to the Zambini show.
 
 
===Summers of 1994-1996===
 
 
 
[[image:Admins94.jpg|thumb|Senior Staff 1994]]
 
[[image:Admins94.jpg|thumb|Senior Staff 1994]]
In 1994, Director Brad Smith hired Mike to work as the Program Director and move into the Directors CabinMike's job was to plan and help run the program with Head Counselor Josh ChurchThis would end of being Josh's last summer.
+
Dave returned in 1993.  New director Brad Smith asked Dave to help out with the trip program.  Brad had planned on many of our trips to be guided by guide companies, but hired David to lead a few of the main trips Birch Rock has always hadDave was great on the field and waterfront but finally camp had found his calling.  With Birch Rock struggling financially for so many summers Dave had inherited a dying Trip ProgramDave spent much of 1993 learning the basics of trip leading, and from 1993-2000 he cleaned and organized the trip room, created a trip manual, etcAround 1998-99, with plenty of trip experience, Dave was asked to better merge our in-house Campcraft activity with the trips off campusDave went to work immediately and began to help improve the Campcraft program.
 
 
Mike became [[Head Counselor]] for 1995 and 1996, but in 1996 at the age of twenty-five, Mike announced to Director Rich Deering that he was ready to move onShortly after his announcement, Rich Deering approached Mike with an offer of a year-round job as the Associate DirectorThis marked the beginning of a team that is still in place to this day.
 
  
Mike wrote many of the staff skits for Campfire from the mid-90s through 2000. This included the ''[[Prince of Biroca]]'' in 2001, a skit performed on a Sunday afternoon in the old rifle range turned outdoor theatre.  The ''Prince of Biroca'' was a prince and dragon type of skit with elves, witches, knights, etc.
+
It was sometime in the early '90s that Dave was a [[Campfire]] MC with his step-brother Mike Mattson. Dave and Mike brought back the [[Zambini Brothers]] skit that has been a part of Birch Rock for almost 40 years, and even added the 'mirror push-ups' piece to the Zambini show.
  
==Director Years==
+
===Summer of 2002===
 +
Dave returned, after a summer off, not only as the Trip Director but also as the camp's new head of the Behavior Modification Program.  With his background in teaching, Dave initiated a staff training process and Behavior Mod. program for the camp.  The program including how to deal with campers day-day, dealing with homesickness and many other tidbits.  He also helped form a communication link between the staff and administration in dealing behavior issues day-day.  This new program has helped many campers since deal with their frustrations and other issues.
 +
Another part of this program involved [[Guiding Principles]] determined by the staff before every summer.  This short lined ideas were dispursed throughout camp and helped remind the campers each day.  Ultimately, one principle sits above all is, the camp motto, "[[Help the Other Fellow]]"
  
[[image:Seve2.jpg|thumb|Mike outside Chief's in 2007]]
+
===Summer of 2004===
 +
In 2004, Director Mike Mattson hired Dave to be Assistant Director.  On top of returning to run his Behavior Mod. Program, Dave also served a major role in the Health Lodge in '04. When the camp's nurse needed to leave after two weeks with a family issue, Dave stepped in and took care of the campers and their medications until replacement medical staff could be hired.  Dave was a certified Emergency Responder.
 +
Dave had a new puppy named Rye that summer.
  
===Summers of 1997–1999===
+
==MWA Years==
  
And so it was that by the end of the summer of 1996 Mike was now working year round as the Associate DirectorThis was also the time period when Birch Rock was planning for the American Camping Association's accreditation visit in 1997, the first visit from the ACA since the early '80s.  Mike and Rich worked closely on the ACA standards, staff training, and many new ways to improve and strengthen the campCamp was on the rise.
+
===Summers of 2006-2007===
 +
With his tons of experience leading trips, Dave was a great choice for the MWA programHe would plan the calendar, set up the dates, and help pack the camper's and organize and pack all other necessary gearDave's dog Rye was at his side for bits of the trip.
  
Mike continued to act as the Head Counselor during these summers and in 1999 worked closely with [[Thomas Joyce]] as he moved into the Head Counselor role.  It was around this time that Mike brought the single ding style of bell ringing to announce [[Tree Talk]] on Sundays, a signal to the campers that it's time to settle down. 1999 was the first summer of the new seven week season.
 
  
===Summers of 2000–2001===
+
==Dave's Summers at the Rock==
  
At this point, Mike and Rich were working more as equals.  Mike earned a co-director role and was starting to become much more responsible for the full day-to-day activities at the Rock.  In fact, during this time period Rich was concurrently working in downtown Portland during the summer. Starting in the summer of 2000 Birch Rock had more than 100 campers coming through campus every summer, nearly twice as many as BRC had ever had from 1926 to the late '90s.
+
[[Image:DJ1.JPG|thumb|left]]
 
+
[[Image:DJ2.JPG|thumb]]
It was also sometime in this time period when Mike started doing the Daily Journal on Birch Rock's new website.  The Daily Journal has become an important link for the parents to know what's happening at camp.
+
[[Image:DJ3.jpg|thumb|left]]
 
+
[[Image:DJ4.jpg|thumb]]
===Summers of 2002-Present===
 
 
 
With Birch Rock bigger then ever and much maintenance work still to be done, the Board of Directors decided to promote Rich into an Alumni Director and Development role.  Mike was offered the Camp [[Director]] position.  Mike and Rich continue to be the perfect team with Rich's marketing skills and Mike's program running experience.
 
 
 
In 2005, the Director's Cabin, Mike's home for ten consecutive summers, was torn down and a new cabin named [[Chief's Cabin]] was built in its place.  The new cabin was the first insulated building on campus but it would stand for only four summers.  It burned down four days before Opening Day of 2008.  Mike moved into [[Lion's Den]] for the 2008 summer. It was the first time he lived somewhere on campus other than right on the driveway since the summer of 1993, fourteen years prior.
 
 
 
The new Chief's Cabin, reincarnated in the same insulated glory as in 2005, will return Mike to his perch along the driveway for the summer of 2009.
 
 
 
==Mike's Summers at the Rock==
 
 
 
[[Image:Mike speaking 2.JPG|thumb|left]]
 
[[Image:Mike tree.JPG|thumb]]
 
[[Image:MikeM2.jpg|thumb|left]]
 
[[Image:MikeM1.jpg|thumb]]
 
 
<div align="center">
 
<div align="center">
 
{|class="wikitable"
 
{|class="wikitable"
Line 189: Line 164:
 
|Albert's Cabin
 
|Albert's Cabin
 
|Trip Director
 
|Trip Director
|
+
|created Behavior Mod. Program
 
|-align="center"
 
|-align="center"
 
|2003
 
|2003

Revision as of 14:18, 12 February 2009

Dave Jenkins has been a member of the Birch Rock community since 1983. After 3 camper summers, Dave spent a number of summers teaching on the field including acting as Field Director in 1990. Dave served as Waterfront Direcot for a summer before finding his real calling as a Trip Leader in 1993. For the next eight summers Dave focused much of his energy into reinvigorating Birch Rock's Trip Program. From organizing the trip room and inventory to planning and initiating trips, as well as leading many, Dave single-handedly kept the tradition that had been going on since the days of Buck Hard of every camper going on at least one trip every summer. Dave also improved upon the camp's already established "Leave No Trace" policies and practices and brought the camp into the new century by formulating trip manuels and paperwork for future trip leaders. In 2004, Dave returned to act as Assistant Director and spent much of the summer helping with the medical side of camp.

Dave has also served as the primary trip leader of the Maine Wilderness Adventure program for two summers and has often offered his assistance to the camp's Trip Leaders, even during summers he was not going to attend.

Early Years

In the winter of 1983, David Weeks and Doug Dickey were recruiting a lot of campers for Birch Rock around the Baltimore area. Both were teachers at St. Paul's School and were recruiting students in their classes. Dave was one of these students. Along with his step-brothers Ron and Mike Mattson, Dave was excited to be off to camp in Maine with a bunch of friends from his school in Baltimore. Dave signed up for the full six-week season.

Camper Years

Summer of 1983-'84

Dave arrived at camp excited and maybe a little anxious but was immediately taken in by his cabin counselor Ryck Birch. Although Dave suffered slight bouts of homesickness and had trouble dealing with his cabin mates, boys a year younger then he was, Dave seemed to enjoy his time hanging out with Ryck and loved the activities and community life. By mid-season the camp realized that Dave was too mature for his cabin and decide to move him to Cabin 6. This was great for Dave because the campers were a better match. Dave still had Ryck Birch next door and now had Cabin Counselor Seth Wheeler. Dave was psyched.

Dave was one of BRC's top jocks on the field and was seen at the field activities all the time. In fact, the summer of 1983 was the last time Birch Rock played its rival Waganaki in a game of baseball, and Dave was Birch Rock's starting pitcher. Dave pitched an awesome game that ended in a shutout. Dave was also the camp's top offense player on the soccer team in '83-85.

Summer of 1985

Mike and Dave Jenkins on the Moose River.

The next summer, 1985, was Dave's Senior Camper year in Cabin 8 with Seth Wheeler again, back then Cabin 7 & Cabin 8 were often used as the Senior Camper cabins. This was a major summer for Dave, mostly because of his Whale swim. When Dave got ready to swim his whale there was already a whale in the water, Kip McManus. Kip was half way around the lake when Dave dove in, and when Kip finished his swim he was the new record holder for fastest camper whale time. About an hour later, Dave arrived at the docks having broken the record again by coming in three minutes faster than Kip. Dave would hold that record for about five or six summers. Dave finished out his camper years having earned almost every badge on the field, except a number of archery badges and was one of the camp's best swimmers.

The Senior Campers went on two big trip in 1985, one on Moose River and the other a hike up Mount Washington. The Moose River trip was led by Scott MacGregor and Toby Brewster with counselor Paul Voss from Cabin 7. Mount Washington was led by Ryck Birch with counselor Seth Wheeler from Cabin 8. These two trips were highlights in Mike's short camper career.

Counselor-in-Training Year: 1986

Dave after a CIT skit

In the summer of 1986, Dave was thrilled to be heading into the staff ranks. Most of Dave's connections at camp were with people older then he was, and he was truly thrilled to be working along side those he had admired over the last few summers. At this point Dave was being groomed to be a BRC field counselor. In those days everyone taught everywhere but Dave was mostly field focused.

Staff Years

Summers of 1987-1991

Dave was so thrilled to finally be on staff in 1987 and was ready to shine. He was the counselor of the young guys in Hilton B and was teaching field activities. But sadly, Dave started feeling a little sick during Staff Orientation week and by the end of week one he was sent home with a case of mono. Dave would return in 1988 and taught on the field for three summers, he taught Lacrosse, Soccer, Baseball, and Basketball; and in 1989, Dave and his step-brother Mike created the Volleyball activity at Birch Rock. Dave loved teaching on the field but, when needed on the waterfront, Dave agreed to become Waterfront Director in 1991. When Mike skipped a summer, Dave was asked to cover the waterfront. With new catwalks and a decent number of instructors, Dave was able to put together one of the better run swim areas camp has ever had. Mike returned in 1992 and this time Dave took a summer off.

Summers of 1993-2000

Senior Staff 1994

Dave returned in 1993. New director Brad Smith asked Dave to help out with the trip program. Brad had planned on many of our trips to be guided by guide companies, but hired David to lead a few of the main trips Birch Rock has always had. Dave was great on the field and waterfront but finally camp had found his calling. With Birch Rock struggling financially for so many summers Dave had inherited a dying Trip Program. Dave spent much of 1993 learning the basics of trip leading, and from 1993-2000 he cleaned and organized the trip room, created a trip manual, etc. Around 1998-99, with plenty of trip experience, Dave was asked to better merge our in-house Campcraft activity with the trips off campus. Dave went to work immediately and began to help improve the Campcraft program.

It was sometime in the early '90s that Dave was a Campfire MC with his step-brother Mike Mattson. Dave and Mike brought back the Zambini Brothers skit that has been a part of Birch Rock for almost 40 years, and even added the 'mirror push-ups' piece to the Zambini show.

Summer of 2002

Dave returned, after a summer off, not only as the Trip Director but also as the camp's new head of the Behavior Modification Program. With his background in teaching, Dave initiated a staff training process and Behavior Mod. program for the camp. The program including how to deal with campers day-day, dealing with homesickness and many other tidbits. He also helped form a communication link between the staff and administration in dealing behavior issues day-day. This new program has helped many campers since deal with their frustrations and other issues. Another part of this program involved Guiding Principles determined by the staff before every summer. This short lined ideas were dispursed throughout camp and helped remind the campers each day. Ultimately, one principle sits above all is, the camp motto, "Help the Other Fellow"

Summer of 2004

In 2004, Director Mike Mattson hired Dave to be Assistant Director. On top of returning to run his Behavior Mod. Program, Dave also served a major role in the Health Lodge in '04. When the camp's nurse needed to leave after two weeks with a family issue, Dave stepped in and took care of the campers and their medications until replacement medical staff could be hired. Dave was a certified Emergency Responder. Dave had a new puppy named Rye that summer.

MWA Years

Summers of 2006-2007

With his tons of experience leading trips, Dave was a great choice for the MWA program. He would plan the calendar, set up the dates, and help pack the camper's and organize and pack all other necessary gear. Dave's dog Rye was at his side for bits of the trip.


Dave's Summers at the Rock

DJ1.JPG
DJ2.JPG
DJ3.jpg
DJ4.jpg
Year Cabin Role Note
1983 Cabin 3 and then 6 Camper with Counselor Ryck Birch, then Counselor Seth Wheeler
1984 Eagle's Nest? Camper with Counselor ?
1985 Cabin 8 Senior Camper with Counselor Seth Wheeler
1986 Pete's Palace Counselor-in-Training with CIT Director John Mason
1987 Hilton B Junior Counselor went home with mono. during first week
1988 Hilton B Counselor Baseball, Lacrosse, Soccer
1989 Cabin 3 Counselor Volleyball, Lacrosse, Basketball
1990 Eagle's Nest Field Director
1991 Pete's Palace Waterfront Director new catwalks in 1991
1992 skipped
1993 Pete's Palace Trip Leader
1994 Cabin 3 Trip Director
1995 Pat's Cabin Trip Director
1996 Pat's Cabin Trip Director Program
1997 Pat's Cabin Trip Director continued as Head Counselor
1998 Large Tent on Platform Trip Director The tent platform was built in 1998
1999 Large Tent on Platform Trip Director
2000 Pat's Cabin Trip Director
2001 skipped
2002 Albert's Cabin Trip Director created Behavior Mod. Program
2003 skipped
2004 Swordfish Assistant Director
2005 skipped
2006 off-site Maine Wilderness Adventure Director
2007 off-site Maine Wilderness Adventure Director