One of the things I try to impress upon the Camp Takajo staff during the preseason orientation is to exceed one’s expectations by doing the unexpected. One example that I always use as a point of reference is our remarkable warrior water ski instructor, Don Matthews. Don has been a counselor at Takajo for thirty-nine years. During that time he has had the unique opportunity to see the joy on our younger campers’ faces as they get up on water skis for the very first time.
Many years ago, Don decided to bring his camera on the boat, so he can capture these exciting moments and share it with the campers’ parents. It is expected that a summer camp like Takajo would have a great waterskiing program. It is expected that we would have top-notch safety equipment and excellent instructors. What is unexpected is that Don would take the extra time to photograph the experience, write a handwritten note to the parent, and share that exciting moment with the camper’s mom and dad.
As I walk around camp daily, I am proud of my staff for doing the unexpected. At Camp Takajo, we have six registered nurses and a doctor in residence. It is expected that our nurses are clinically sound. What is unexpected is the love and warmth they provide to your son in his moment of need. There are few things worse than being away from home when you’re not feeling well.
Our medical staff goes above and beyond the normal expectation to make sure our campers feel safe and loved when they are not feeling their best. When people think of a child’s summer camp experience, they usually measure success based on their ability to make long-lasting friendships, develop new skills, and develop self-confidence. It takes a compassionate staff that are willing to go above and beyond the normal expectation to create an environment where children can succeed.
