Camp Walden

2008-02-03
Ask Brian O'Brien!

Everyone knows and loves Walden's Maintenance Supervisor – Brian O'Brien celebrates his 29th summer at camp! He and Bonnie share a unique Walden Staff record; they have longest staff tenure in the history of camp. They started their lifetime association with camp back in the summer of 1980. The Waldenear editors thought it would be fun to interview Brian and have him share some of his thoughts about camp.

Question: “What buildings at camp did you construct?”

Brian: “Well, if I didn't build it I helped design it, or I might have modified it at some point. Here is the list of the buildings I constructed from scratch:

The Firehall

12 Comic Cabins

3 Shower Houses

Ceramics

The Great Hall

The Warehouse

New Seeker Cabins

Trippers Cabin

The New Snooka

Several Kitchen Extensions

The Staff Motel

The Kitchen Staff Cabin

Several Staff Cabins

The Extension and Redesign of the Office

Camp Facilities:

The Den

The Walden Gardens

The Upper Courts

Lots and Lots of Docks”

Question: “What project are you proudest of?”

Brian: “I'm proud of them all – it's too hard to just pick one. Each of these projects has a back-story and all had their challenges.”

Question: “What was the most bizarre Maintenance request you ever received?”

Brian: “That has to be the request for a spa and hot tub. I think it might have been the CIT Coordinators, sometime in the 1990's, who asked for it. I politely said ?no'.”

Question: “What is your biggest complaint/beef?”

Brian: “That's easy – I wish everyone would just clean-up after themselves! If all campers and staff spent a few minutes after each of their special programs, cleaning the area and returning equipment, we would never have to have the MAJOR clean-ups that Sol asks us to do too often.”

Brian O'Brian is happy to answer any questions that you might have. Just email “The Walden Editors” at:

office@campwalden.ca with your query and we will be sure to pass it on to Brian. Your question, and Brian's answer, will appear on the Walden web site!