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Kimberly
Johnson
"For me, Wildwood is
proof that genuine intentions can and perhaps will encourage the
universe to conspire to fulfill these intentions. I arrived at
Wildwood after doing a Google search for “experiential education
+ summer camps,” completing the application, taking a different
job for that summer, receiving an inquiring e-mail in January of
the next year, having a brief phone interview, and driving from
my home in Wisconsin to somewhere in Kansas. My only reassurance
that this place would be a good one is my former experience with
camps, which led me to assume that the people at camps are and
must be good people. Thank God that is true. While my first week
there was filled with the experience of Kansas-grade thunder
storms, an introduction to the spiders and snakes who would not
make good pets, and some hesitation about abandoning my own
summer camp to work at another one, I was defiantly encouraged
and motivated by the people who I had the privilege of meeting.
As I learned more about Wildwood, I realized that it would be a
good place for me to start compiling what I would need to,
someday, have an experiential-English class of my own. So, not
only did I have people to depend on and support, but I had a
community of people that fostered an environment where education
(as an institution and implicit role) could be dissected and
revised. Yes, I mean to suggest that working at Wildwood might
be a good professional move for someone interested in becoming
an educator. I also want to relate that working at Wildwood can
be like having a(nother) family. Our time together was quite
full of outrageous fun.
You might also be
interested in the actual work at hand—what is it like when you
through the youngsters into the mix? Well, it is a riot and in
all of the ambiguity that is coiled into that word. It is a
riot, because fifth graders from Kansas City are fun. Their
inquiries and protests make things that you might take for
granted into things that are completely new and different parts
of your worldview. They are also a riot because of the chaos
that is socially constructed into their lives (not to mention
that there is chaos/stress/agendas that influence us too). Some
are scared and try to be tough, but they are all safe Wildwood
and innately curious. It was the difficult moments when the
aforementioned state was not apparent or forgotten, when I
learned the most about people and about myself. It is not easy
to live with, mentor, discipline parent, teach, befriend and
challenge young people, but you will be amazed by how naturally
it all fits together. Furthermore, you will not know what you
have done until you receive a letter in the mail from a camper
you had the week before….one that is written in fragmented words
and partial phrases, etched with a dull pencil, and filled with
love, appreciation, activism and ambition to be better than she
was before. I cannot be more specific than this in my
representation of Wildwood life because it will be intimately
different for everyone, everyday there. I can only encourage you
to approach this community with genuine intentions of your own
and in the spirit of growth."
Peace,
Kimberly
Johnson
Wildwood Staff:
Summer 2005
kajohnson8@wisc.edu
UW-Madison School of
Education
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Staff Testimonials
“Working at
wildwood helped prepare me for teaching in a culturally
diverse classroom. It also helped me with time
management. If you're going to be a teacher, you should
work at Wildwood...just for experience." |
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Child Health Corporation
"Our stay at
Wildwood was Exceptional. Your facilities and staff
were incredible and provided us an awesome opportunity
to learn more about our company, our environment and
ourselves." |
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Bill Jarvis
“Wildwood
Outdoor Education Center’s Corporate Challenge Program
is one of the finest locations for team-building and
corporate training activities in the Kansas City area." |
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Kimberly Johnson
"For me,
Wildwood is proof that genuine intentions can and
perhaps will encourage the universe to conspire to
fulfill these intentions." |
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