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"We Stick Together"

by Michael Mandaville

Our Kenpo Kids Summer Camp had the motto of “We Stick Together.”  These words reinforce an important theme, not only necessary to hiking and camping in the woods, but throughout our Kenpo lives.  We want to “stick together” in learning, in teaching and in absorbing the values of our parents to further our lives. 

The Kenpo Summer Camp started on July 5th, when the smoke of fireworks had cleared from the holiday celebrating our great country.  The seven weeks of the Day Camp was fun, exciting and invigorating.  The events included the La Brea Tar Pits, Orange County Fair, Hollywood Wax Museum and, of course, the eagerly anticipated Harbor Patrol Ocean Cruise.  The Harbor Cruise allows us to enjoy the wonderful southern California ocean and, better yet, have Dan Buchanan demonstrate how you have to wear sunglasses to look cool in the summer sun!  Every week, the campers also did gymnastics as well as an extensive array of arts and crafts.  And let’s not forget that every Friday was swimming day at the Hawkins household!  Every Monday, the group had an invigorating hike to work on those muscles and to enjoy the scenery around us that we all too often forget in the daily hustle and bustle of our daily lives.

Transportation was easier this year with the purchase of a passenger van that allowed us to bring the entire troupe ­-- those joyful children’s voices and, ahem, screams --­ into one big happy family.

The Sleep-Away Camp is the finale of our summer camp activities.  Next year, we might hold the Sleep-Away Camp earlier in the year, possibly in late July or early August, because the start of school conflicted with a number of our students.  But we had a great time.  This is where our motto “We Stick Together” is both figurative and literal.  We don’t want anybody to get lost in the woods, nor in their lives.  Family and Friends, We Stick Together!  The Sleep-Away Camp was up near the beautiful Kern River, on the shore above Lake Isabella.  This area is home to the giant sequoias, the world’s oldest living things.

Four trophies were given out during the Sleep-Away Camp.  For best diver, Joel Moffitt.  Best Hiker:  Monica Lugo.  Best Discipline:  George Terada.  Best Assistant Instructors:  Jonathan and Philip Weisberg.

There was a huge cave in this area, which proved to be a magnificent hike.  There was plenty of tubing on the river, along with rope swinging, hiking and a great many tall tales around the campfire with s'mores.  And perhaps even the hint of mountain ghosts.

But we all came back alive from our mountain adventures because “We Stick Together.”

This great summer would not be possible without the help of Aviva Levin, Anne Baskins, Jennifer Batson, Gary Marcus, Mark Conlon, Jehangir Dastur,  Heidi Swedburg, Teresa Franz, Chris Kulow and Edgar Arias.  Mark Hammer was an enormous help this year.   With his three boys, it was a Hammer vacation.  We thank you.  The dedication of our instructors is also critical, including Gurujodha Singh Khalsa, Will Pemberton, Jesse DiCamillo, Dan Buchanan, Joni Mitchell, George Hertzberg and his wife, and Mark Balaban.

Hopefully, everyone had a great summer.  Now back to school!

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