Camp Walden

To those who say you can never go back - You Can!

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July 21, 2009

The last day of registration for Walden's 40th Reunion is just 10 days away! We want to be sure you, and all of your friends, are along for the ride. The last chance to register is on SATURDAY AUGUST 1st, don't delay and sign up today! Click Here to register.


We have heard from a number of our Alumni that some of you may have missed Elaine Cole's video - click below for a personal message to all of you from Elaine.


Congratulations to Melanie Dan (former Comic Unit Head & Current Head of Canoe & Kayak) who was the winner of our July 1st, 40th Reunion draw which was held at Camp Walden! She has won a new Nikon Coolpix digital camera. Congratulations Mel and be sure to pick up your prize from Jonny Lightman on September 5th.

Still worried you won't have a buddy for 5th period swim?? Check out who's already registered. Click Here.

Wondering about what to pack ? Where do I go to catch the bus on September 5th? Hold tight for a final email that will be coming to you in late August with all the important details.



Can't Wait To See All Of You At The Flagpoles On The 5th!



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June 17, 2009




Also See a New Video from The Hearts Club Boys



We're already halfway through June and current Walden campers and staff are just days away from embarking on a summer we're sure they will never forget.

Luckily this year Walden Alum need not be green with envy as the 40th Walden Reunion is right around the corner giving us all the opportunity to go back to camp and relive some of our fondest memories.

And whose camp memories don't include at least one moment from the Walden Games marathon? Ever wonder if you still have the Spiral Motif magic touch? One last Strike Out pitch in you? The ability to hit the five hole in Showdown? Ever wonder if a beer or two would help improve your accuracy? Well wonder no more as the 40th Reunion committee has some Walden Games surprises up their sleeves. Want to know more? Sign up to attend the Walden 40th Reunion September 5 - 6, 2009!

Please be aware that the REGISTRATION DEADLINE is quickly approaching! We will not process any registrations after SATURDAY AUGUST 1st. Don't delay - register NOW!





OUR LAST REGISTRATION CONTEST!!:
To help relive the memories of the 40th reunion all year-round we are offering a registration prize for one lucky winner! Eligible are all currently registered guests and those who register before July 1, 2009.

You can win a NEW Nikon Coolpix L20 Digital Camera with 10 megapixel resolution, 3.6 optical zoom, a 3 inch LCD screen, and two additional memory cards with over 18 GB of memory. We will randomly pick the winner on Thursday July 2nd, 2009.

Look Who's Registered Already!!
The Registered Alumni List continues to grow – to see the most up to date list of registrants please click HERE.

Stay tuned for more updates throughout the summer but sign up now to ensure your spot at the "not to be missed" 40th Walden Reunion.



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May 5, 2009

Congratulations to:

Steven Shulman
Daniel Pollack
David Lederman
Eli Lederman

This group of Walden Alumni and close friends were staff members during the 1990s. They will be attending the "Ted Cole OCA Golf Classic", all expenses paid, on May 28th! This prize includes all golf fees, lunch, and a special Gala Dinner and reception hosted by the Ontario Camping Association.

Please click here for more information regarding the tournament.

Our "Early Bird Registration" has concluded but there is still time to register.
You have 3 months to do so.
Our registration deadline is: August 1st, 2009.



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April 24, 2009




IMPORTANT REMINDER:
You have just 7 days, until May 1st 2009, to complete your early registration
and receive a $25 discount.
Early Bird Registration: $175.00 (Late Registration is $200.00)
Deluxe Accommodations: $200.00 (Late Deluxe Price is $225.00)
(All taxes are included)



ANNOUNCING: The “TED COLE / OCA GOLF CLASSIC”
Scheduled for Thursday May 28th, 2009 at the Station Creek Golf Club near Stouffville. This is a premiere event of the Ontario Camping Association to support the activities of the OCA as well as supporting the work of the “Kids In Camp” charitable organization. This event is being co-chaired by Elaine Cole & Howie Grossinger. Ted Cole was a life-long supporter, past president and leader of many initiatives of the Ontario Camps Association (OCA) and a founding member of the Kids in Camp charity (KIC).

When Ted passed away in August 2008 he left a legacy of music, leadership and friendship. When he had the time, Ted golfed; so it was only natural that he was co-chairing a tournament that would raise funds for OCA and KIC and also bring together friends and colleagues to enjoy a day of golf. The OCA Board of Directors, many of whom were mentored by Ted, felt it was only fitting that the event which he was helping to organize, bear his name.


The Walden 40th Reunion Committee is pleased to announce another contest!
Four Walden Alumni, who have registered early, by May 1st, 2009, will be randomly selected to win the grand prize:

Participate As A Team Of Four! A prize worth $700! The price includes the green fees & both lunch and dinner. Click here for all of the details of the tournament and for other alternative ways to support this event.

If you have any interest in participating in this contest you must:
1)     Complete your 40th Reunion registration – by May 1st, 2009
2)     Send us an email stating your interest in being included in our draw. We know that not every Alumni will be available for the tournament, so, we will be choosing from Alumni who have expressed their interest.
Send email to: Walden40@campwalden.ca
We will draw on May 2nd & then inform all of our Alumni.




Looks Who’s Registered!
We contacted some Walden Alumni who have registered early. We asked them for their thoughts about the upcoming 40th Reunion. Here is what they said:

Mike Diamond (Years at Walden- 1971 & 1972)
Job Title: CIT Coordinator
Now: Investor, Business Consultant and Philanthropist.
Quote: “Walden in the early years was intense, special, and unusual. It embodied many of the unique characteristics of our generation. Everything about Walden was natural- the surroundings, the philosophies, the people who made it work, and the relationships that we all developed, and have maintained to this day. We were fortunate and privileged to have been part of that experience”.

Lily Blumenthal (Years at Walden: 1997 – 2005)
Then: Zodiac Counsellor
Now: About to complete undergraduate degree at Western
Quote: “I always enjoyed the beautiful, serene setting of Walden. Nothing beats spending your summers by a lake. It was within this breathtaking setting that I met many people who, to me, are more accurately described as "extended family" than merely as "friends”.

Alison Beder Solway (Years at Walden: 13 Years)
Then: Camper (9 Years), Swim Staff (3 Years), Seeker Counsellor (1 Year)
Now: Mom of 4, Environmental Consultant, Spin Instructor
Quote: “Walden for me represented the natural beauty of this Earth. My years spent at Walden as a camper, staff and off-season with my family, are etched within the person I am today.”

Corey Shurman (Years at Walden: 11)
Then: Comic Counsellor (2 summers), Zodiac Counsellor, Seeker Counsellor
Now: Senior Marketing Coordinator, Joe Fresh Style
Quote: “My summers at Walden are at the top of the list. The friendships I made, the memories I formed, and all of the incredible experiences have stuck with me to this very day. Walden is and remains to be one of the most special places I have ever been to and I cannot wait to go back”.

Kyle Gordon (Years at Walden: 1992-2000, 2002)
Job Titles: Colour counsellor, comic counsellor and seeker counsellor
Now: Journalist
Associate Editor, Redwood Custom Communications
Quote: “It was during my summers at Walden that I formed lifelong friendships, developed an appreciation for blue grass music and spent countless hours mesmerized by the fire. I will forever be captured in the spell of Walden’s beauty.”

Bernie Lightman (Years at Walden: 1971-1976, 1991-1993)
Job Titles: Tripper, Head Tripper, Comic Unit Head, Program Director
Current Occupation: Professor of Humanities, York University
Quote: "When I think of my years at Walden, the memories are overwhelming. That is where I made some of the most lasting friendships in my life and had the opportunity to indulge my passion for music. It was the closest I've ever come to living in a hippie commune."

Dina Torrans (Years at Walden: Several in the 80's...)
Then: Arts & Crafts and Comic Unit Head
Now: Artist - Sculptor/Photographer/Painter/Graphic Designer for Print & Web
Quote: " Looking forward to...laughing till it hurts, sharing the starry sky with my friends & not having to try to get the 11 year old boys enthused about Arts & Crafts"

Adam Hirsh (Years at Walden: 1991-2003)
Then: Zodiac Counsellor, Seeker Counsellor, Head of Landsports
Now: Litigator
Quote: "I can't wait to go back to camp. If only my real life job were more like it.....early to beds (actually a punishment!), rest hour (a whole hour!), all-day movie marathon (because you can't work in the rain), all-day waterfront (because you can't work when its too hot), campers (13 energetic people to delegate work to!), days off (days off!!!). It will be a great weekend."

Tammy Kerbel (Years at Walden: 1972 -1978)
Then: Started as a camper in Comics (1st year) then was a camper in zodiac seekers CIT & 1st year staff in Colour unit & 2nd year staff Comics
Now: I am now living on a 60 ft yacht retired in the Caribbean for the last 4 years & it’s Amazing!
Quote: “My memories of Walden were definitely some of the best years of my life! Sometimes I wish I could have stayed at Camp forever! I can't wait to go back there for the 40th reunion & I hope that I am joined by some WALDEN ORIGINALS from the early days!!! The only thing missing will be TED & I know he would want all of us there singing along!”

Art Steinberg (Years at Walden: 1970-1980)
Then: Pre-pre camp Maintenance + Head of Canoeing, Head Counsellor
Now: Retired Owner/Principal Mentor College
Quote: “Best song for a Walden sing-song ever – “Little Rabbit Foo Foo!!!”

Michael Binder (Years at Walden:1990 -2002)
Then: Tennis Staff, Seeker Counsellor, Head of Tennis
Now: Parallax Investment Corp - Real Estate Development
Quote: "How could I pass up an opportunity to do all the things I was never allowed to do at camp as a camper or staff"

View our updated Registered Alumni List



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February 11, 2009




I CALL TOP BUNK IN CABIN SCORPIO!
 
ALUMNI HAVE BEEN WONDERING... AND IT’S TRUE!
YOU CAN CHOOSE YOUR CABIN AND CABINMATES AT WALDEN’S 40th REUNION!

 
Simply:
1. Complete your registration
2. Consult the current Walden Map along with
the Alumni Unit Placement below
3. Send us an email with a list of cabinmates and your cabin choice and we will reserve your
group’s spot!

 
Alumni Unit Placement:
Alumni who worked at Walden in the 70s will stay in the current Colour Unit
(Closest to Dining Hall)
Alumni who worked at Walden in the 80s will stay in the current Comic Unit
(At the top of camp)
Alumni who worked at Walden in the 90s will stay in the current Zodiac Unit
(By the waterfront)
Alumni who worked at Walden in the 00s will stay in the current Seeker Unit
(Beyond MASH)

 

ALSO ANNOUNCING OUR NEW REGISTRATION CONTEST!
Register before March 1st and we will enter your name into our “EARLY REGISTRATION DRAW”!

1st PRIZE: A full refund of your registration fee!
2nd PRIZE: A Walden Hockey Jersey!
(This contest includes anyone who has previously registered)



Also added to the site:
 
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
 
List of Registered Alumni
 
Timetable of Events During the Reunion Celebration



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November 20, 2009





It has been 40 Years since Camp Walden opened its gates to campers and staff and for many of us it has felt just as long since we have been back. We brought the camp to the city with our 35th reunion celebration in 2004 and in 2009, and now we're going back to Palmer Rapids and we want to bring you with us.

Fifteen years ago, for the 25th anniversary, Ted Cole wrote an original song that paid tribute to the summers at Camp Walden - the lyrics of this song is the inspiration for our 40th anniversary theme. Join us in celebrating 40 years of 'growing and caring, friendship and sharing'. For many of us, the memories of camp are very strong and "The Fire Burns Within".

Please join us, Walden Alumni from its 40 year history, and Elaine, Ryan & Cory Cole, for an unforgettable weekend at camp.

For detailed information about what is included in the price of a ticket, please click here.

Please register to join us on Saturday September 5 and Sunday September 6, 2009.