Tyson White

Executive Summary, LSDI 2010

I was working and instituted at the Summer 2010 Thunderhead Episcopal Church

Camp. The camps location was located just outside of Deadwood, South Dakota and only

8 miles from the Wyoming boarder. There I was a counselor and I conducted anything from bathroom monitoring, chore duty instructor, cabin monitor and counselor, group mentor facilitator, and counseling skills. We did church morning and evening prayers through Taize worship and compline oriented. I specifically was in charge of conducting the physical fitness component of camp; such as organizing games, activity block with basketball, soccer, or volleyball. We utilized the basketball court and developed a obstacle course activity along with frozen t-shirt contest. A huge part of TEC camp and tradition was when we held the yearly annual TEC Olympics. Where we do water volleyball, obstacle course and compete in a friendly manner. This year we introduced several times karaoke, mostly associated with 5th and 6th grade camp where families could sing together. As well as, cabin challenges which introduced friendly competition against others cabins and counselors. We held on every camp occasion a dance which Tim was our host and DJ. It was fun way to interact with the campers in a sense to be goofy and have a great time. Also among the many activities was a concert held during the middle school camp. The band was very much liked they are a rock band out of Vermillion and a counselors brother plays with. Other activities were trips to falls with swimming and a trip to Bear Butte for religious prayer reflection.

Those of whom I worked with were; Rita Powell an ordained Priest from Sioux

Falls, South Dakota who is certified Youth Minister as well. Holly Broadwater a member of the Sioux Falls church now All Angels Youth Advisor in Spearfish, South Dakota and

Camp director at TEC. Sloane Floberg a Deacon from North Dakota who works at a

Youth Center as well. Tom Lutz who is from Minneapolis, Minnesota and head counselor of our bunch who has really great people skills with great leadership ability. Ross Miller a counselor from Sioux Falls, South Dakota and is a talented rapper. Jimmy Bloomquist a counselor from Vermillion, South Dakota who is great with instruments and our musical talent at camp. Caroline Taratko from Connecticut who worked in the kitchen a lot along with arts & craft. Brittany Salisbury a counselor from Brookings who worked with arts and crafts. Leah Miller a counselor from Vermillion, South Dakota who helped out at talent show contest. Simone Cournoyer counselor from Rosebud, South Dakota a daughter of the tribal chairman there and who helped with arts & crafts as well. Tim

Murphey who is also from Connecticut who displayed DJ skills and helped in the kitchen. Brian Mueller who is from Mitchell, South Dakota worked with talent show contest and a variety of sports and arts & crafts.

At TEC we developed a sense of community within the campers and introduced friendships from strangers. TEC also introduced life long church values from inviting

God in to understanding our baptismal covenants. From chore duties to chapel services and campfires with smore fixings the kids really had a wonderful time and counselors alike. Camp provided a sense of understanding and complete awareness of expressing freely ones self. Also, gave tribute to respecting the dignity of peoples. To value and share talents and skills. To add, gave respect to church and tradition. To finalize TEC was more than just a summer away or a job, it was a revitalizing look at life and realizing that community can be expressed if you build at it. It was a spiritual blessing that has given me insight to the career I wish to pursue in the future will establish with my ministry.