Mini-Yo-We Staff Blog

Final Refresh!!!

2008-05-07T14:22:00.002-05:00

Camper Promo Plan!

2008-03-27T11:48:00.003-05:00

As we near summer, we continue to connect with campers and parents to promote camp. We love camp so we want others to have the opportunity to share the same experience. Our wonderful Director of Communications has come up with a plan for you as staff to recruit campers and be rewarded for it!!!! Here is the info:

Purpose:

To encourage all Summer staff to recruit “new campers” (a “new camper” is someone who has not been to Camp Mini-Yo-We) by putting material in their Churches, Communities or wherever – make it a part of their job description that they need to contact the Director of Communications for the “Promo Pak” – poster, brochures & suggested Church announcements.

Process:

- Staff wanting to be apart of this plan – they need to contact the Director of Communications for their “Promo Pak” don@miniyowe.com
- “Promo Pak” will include: 5 Brochures with registration forms, 1 poster, dvd’s
- Staff will use the Promotional material to recruit “new campers”
- Staff person will be responsible to notify the Office Manager/Registrar by email which “new campers” they have recruited before the campers arrive at Camp Mini-Yo-We. This will include their name and the week that they are attending. A Staff member may want to consider identifying themselves on each of the Registration Forms they are using. However, it is the Staff persons responsibility to get the names to the Office.
- Once a week has started no names will be accepted for that week.

Payment:

If a Summer staff uses the “Promo Pak” and recruits, they will get $50 for every 5 “New Campers” they recruit. Payment will be made September 15/08 (no payment will be made after that date).

And the rains came down....

2008-03-27T11:43:00.003-05:00

To stay connected we wanted to give you a brief update with what all the directors and staff are up to with getting ready for camp. First off, we are so excited with all the applications that have come in. Keep getting them in, and keep inviting your friends to be staff!!! We have a lot of positions filled so if you have something in mind get your application in ASAP. We do still have a lot of spots available as well.

On another note, we are living like Noah here at the office. No we didn't build a boat, although Oliver's engineering skills might be able to do so... We had a flood. There was a bit of damage, but it is more the time lost in moving things around and re-grouping. Currently all 4 (Tim, Oliver, Lauren, and Beth) are all in the same room with all files and other boxes. This is team bonding. We could use prayers that not too much time and work will be lost.

Finally, it is almost summer! Well, it seems that way at least. Many of you are finishing up midterms and coming up on finals exams for university, or prom and graduation for high school. We wish you the best over the next couple of months and look forward to seeing you in the summer!!

Here There and Everywhere!

2008-02-22T16:14:00.002-05:00

We have been all over the place (quite literally) the past month with events and connecting with staff. First up was Refreshat The Freeyway in Hamilton. This was our second one for the year which brought about 40 staff out for a time of prayer, worship, food, and reconnecting. We had a great time seeing all of you and hearing what is up in your lives with school and everything else! Our second event was Snowflake, a conference for youth groups which was held in Niagara Falls where over 1000 teenagers descended on the city. We were there to serve and be staff for those running the event. Between manning the escalator, games room, and band sales table, we had an incredible opportunity to meet new people and connect with potential staff. The event itself was a great time for the students of some quality speakers, worship, snow-packed dodgeball, a talent night, etc. Finally, Today's Teens Conference. This past weekend MYW ventured to The Meeting House in Oakville for another youth conference. Again we had a great time connecting with people and showing what camp is all about. We love camp, so we love other people to see how much we love it too!! Now the conference, youth, event-filled February is coming to an end and we are excited with all the applications that have come in. This is also a reminder that you have until February 29th to apply if you want to be included in the staff incentive (it is going to be a good one!!) but you can still apply after that.

checkin in at the office...

2008-01-31T11:35:00.000-05:00

We are working away in the office.... Hard to believe it's already February (well tomorrow...). There is a lot coming up in the office this month which means a lot of busy weekends! Refresh is still on for this Saturday, and we are so looking forward to seeing a lot of you! The weekend after that all the full time staff are taking off to Snowflake, a retreat in Niagara falls working hard, promoting camp, and hanging out with over 900 teenagers! The following weekend is coming up on the Today's Teens Conferece at The Meeting House in Oakville (which you are all invited too by the way). It's a conference for youth, youth leaders, and parents of youth, with a ton of great speakers, sessions, concert Saturday night and 500+youth! Miniyowe will have a booth set up along with a ton of other camps so check it out! Hope all of you are relaxing or heading back into second semester after finals. Take care. We are thinking about you here at the office. See you Saturday!

Camp work party- January 26!

2008-01-16T09:39:00.000-05:00

Have any parents that like camp or would like a break from the city? Tim is looking for parents, people, staff, anyone who would like to take the opportunity to spend a day in beautiful Muskoka and serve at Camp Mini-Yo-We. We. We are having a work party on Saturday January 26 and are planning to spend the day processing firewood for our wood furnaces. It will be a great day to hang out, visit camp, meet new friends, or enjoy time with old ones. Lunch will be provided. We will also provide breakfast and accommodation for anyone who wants to come up on the Friday evening. Please RSVP so we can plan for numbers. Please feel free to forward this information to anyone who you think would like to take part.

Work Party
January 26
Tim Miller
tim@miniyowe.com
705.385.2926 x239

Back at it!

2008-01-14T10:08:00.001-05:00

Well we are back in the swing of things here at the office. We started back after New Year's and are already gearing up for summer! Last week we braved the rain storm turn snow storm turn fog, and headed up north for some fun, fellowship and meetings with the directors and staff at camp. We had a great time talking about visions for this summer, where are hearts are at, and learning funny interesting facts about each staff member. Now we are back at the office, going through applications that are beginning to trickle in, Enterprise, LIT, and Staff. We look forward to reading them (and I have the priviledge of getting excited whenever I go to get the mail and there is 1 there... or 5 as the case was today!) As we begin to focus entirely on the summer, hopefully you can begin to think a little about where you see yourself this year, and hopefully that includes camp! Good luck on finals and papers and all that January entails, and drop us a line sometime to let us know how you are doing. We love hearing from you guys! Over and out : )

Leap year?

2008-01-07T12:54:00.000-05:00

Hello staff and welcome to 2008!! A while back we wrote a note about the staff incentive for this summer, asking you to get your applications in by February 28 if you wanted the staff incentive. Well, we forgot it was a leap year... so February 29 it is! Hope you had great holidays and time with family and friends over Christmas, and now maybe thinking about this summer and camp! So as a retraction to our first note remember February 29th. Happy New year!

Refresh is back!

2008-01-03T10:57:00.000-05:00

Early Application Incentive!!

2007-11-23T11:15:00.001-05:00

Hey team!
Fall is rolling by, and we are already thinking about next summer. Hard to believe, but it's true. We have had our first staff event- Refresh! It was a great time and an awesome opportunity to connect with friends and share stories about camp, about our year so far, and what God has been doing in lives of the staff. We have also had one of 3 dessert reception fundraisers for camp's Capital Campaign. There are 2 more coming up, so prayer for those. As for now, we have posted next summer's staff application and have already started recieving some. If you remember from last year, those who get their applications in before February 28 got the staff incentive, which was an awesome zip up sweatshirt. If you want a chance at the incentive again remember that date and get your applications in before then. The incentive will be just as great and will not be sold in the tuck shop.

Remember: Apply before February 28 for the staff incentive!!!!

Refresh- November 10!!

2007-10-26T11:59:00.000-05:00

Photo Contest

2007-10-15T09:30:00.001-05:00

Back to School!

2007-09-19T11:47:00.000-05:00

Well...the summer is over. Is it just me, or does it seem like we just finished Skills Week? Now we are back to professors, homework, walks to the bus and pressure to get that perfect grade. Okay...I say "we", but I actually me "you" - sucker! All kidding aside - we miss you. I hope that you are adjusting well to being back at school or whatever post-camp activity you are doing. We (Oliver, Tim Havercroft [new Youth Camps Director], and I) are back in the Waterdown office now. Feel free to stop by and say hi. We're excited about the upcoming events and will fill you in very soon...check back often!

Love,

Beth

Video Contest Entries...

2007-06-01T13:39:00.000-05:00

Entry #1 - Directors

Entry #2 - Drapes

Refresh!

2007-05-26T19:48:00.001-05:00

we had an awesome day on Saturday...thanks to everyone who came out!
here's a little glimpse of the day.

Camp still needs...

2007-05-23T09:22:00.000-05:00

Outripping Director [19+]
Male Counsellors [17+]
Northwoods Trip Leaders [18+]
Boys Camp Office Administrator [17+]

Do you know anyone who can fill one of these spots? Would you like to?
Call us at 905 690 0080
or email staffinfo@miniyowe.com

Staff Video Contest

2007-05-16T13:54:00.000-05:00

Here's the scoop: we want you to put together your best video on why it's great to be staff at Camp Mini-Yo-We.

This is pretty open, but there are a few rules:

-5 minute max

-At some point the MYW staff site address (www.miniyowestaff.com) must appear

-I would hope this is assumed, but keep it (camper) appropriate

The winner of this challenge will get a $50 restaurant gift certificate, so post your videos on youtube, and then post a link in your response to this.

The winner will be announced during staff weekend, so post your videos before June 22nd!

Entry #1 - Drapes!

Refresh May 26th

2007-05-14T10:42:00.000-05:00

What are you doing May 26th? Want to have a BBQ lunch with your fellow MYW staff? Good news! We're having another REFRESH event on Saturday May 26th at Meadowvale Conservation Area! Join us from 12-5 for a BBQ lunch, some fun games and a chance to hang out with other MYW staff.

Here are the details:
Who: All MYW Summer 2007 Staff
What: A fun BBQ, games and friendsWhere: Meadowvale Conservation Area, Area C (see below for a map)
When: Saturday May 26th, 2007 from 12-5 pm
Why: To have fun and get pumped for the summer!

What to Bring:
Paperwork (Applications, Med forms, T-1 Forms, Staff Contracts)
Running shoes
Lawnchairs
Weather Appropriate Clothes (We're going to be there rain or shine; it'll be fun either way!)

Lunch is provided.

Driving Directions:
From the 401, take Erin Mills Pkwy/Mississauga Rd
L (South) on Erin Mils
L on Argentia
L on Creditview
R on Old Creditview Road
R on Old Derry Road
L at first Stop Sign (2nd Line)
Follow to the end (Meadowvale Conservation Area)

We're at the pavilion by the parking lot (Area C)

Here's a map for you:
http://ca.maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?ed=DYhWXup_0TpU_tIs3WbXgyIbHG0CIhxYY8xrwQ--&csz=Mississauga%2C+ON&country=ca

Please RSVP by Monday May 21 by emailing staffinfo@minyowe.com This way we can make sure we have food for you!!!

The Blasphemy Challenge

2007-05-10T08:42:00.000-05:00

Have you heard about this?
There's a group called the 'Rational Response Squad' who have set up a website called the Blasphemy Challenge. Here is what they are saying on their website...

We want your soul.

It's simple. You record a short message damning yourself to Hell, you upload it to YouTube, and then the Rational Response Squad will send you a free The God Who Wasn't There DVD. It's that easy.

INSTRUCTIONS:
You may damn yourself to Hell however you would like, but somewhere in your video you must say this phrase: "I deny the Holy Spirit."

Why? Because, according to Mark 3:29 in the Holy Bible, "Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin." Jesus will forgive you for just about anything, but he won't forgive you for denying the existence of the Holy Spirit. Ever. This is a one-way road you're taking here.

What do you think? How do you feel about this? What's your response?

Meet the Interim Boys Camp Director, Again

2007-05-08T14:39:00.001-05:00

Hey everyone, Interim is another word for amazing, for those of you who aren't english majors.

...oh, and my favorite colour is red.

Meet the Interim Boys Camp Director...

2007-05-02T17:50:00.000-05:00

Oliver Veit!
Welcome to the Team Oliver!
We'll post more info soon...(like what does "interim" mean? and what is Oliver's favourite colour?)

Facebook...

2007-05-02T09:09:00.000-05:00

here's an interesting article on Facebook.

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060119-6016.html

I also just read one in the Hamilton Spectator on students being suspended for stuff they posted.
We'd love to hear your thoughts...do you like facebook? do you hate it? have you been able to avoid it? tell us what you think...

Have you met our newest Director yet?

2007-04-26T08:20:00.000-05:00

if not...here's a little video to introduce him...

APPLICATION DEADLINE!!

2007-04-20T10:12:00.000-05:00

Attention all 2006 L.I.T.'s!

If you did L.I.T. last summer and hope to serve at camp this summer, your application must be in by:

MAY 15, 2007

at the latest!!

If your application is submitted after this date we cannot ensure you will get a position with us.

Happy writing! If you need help with where to get an applications or have questions when filling it out, please e-mail staffinfo@miniyowe.com - we are happy to help!

All returning staff...you know better! GET IT IN!! :0)

what would you do?

2007-04-20T09:55:00.000-05:00

across the alley from us there is a house that has about 4 little puppies. They're pitbulls and about 8 weeks old. Yesterday while outside in the yard you could hear yelping. Looking over the fence you'd see the owner kicking, yelling and throwing the puppies around in what looked to be an attempt to train them to fight. After calling the SPCA (Hamilton Humane Society) they told us they can't do anything, even if you film it the courts won't admit it....
what would you do?