May E-Blast From Ethel Walker Features Grab The Torch
Grab the Torch
Grab The Torch Leadership, Philanthropy, and Ethics Camp has offered five $500 scholarships to NAIS member school students to attend one of their five-day education camps immersing participants in the business and commitment of the non-profit, foundation, cause-related marketing, and global greater-good professional.
This five-day experience has a proven record of success and life-changing experiences. Hear from professionals representing Google, Charity Navigator, Dove’s Real Beauty, BoardSource, Hole in The Wall Gang Camp, and many others. Activities include sailing, rafting, hiking, and endless fun.
Apply at www.grabthetorch.org or contact daldrich@grabthetorch.org.
Partners include: Ethel Walker, Vermont Community Foundation and Fountain Valley.
Grabbing The Torch - A Student/Parent Perspective:
Grabbing The Torch
The first moment that comes to my mind when I reflect back about attending the Grab the Torch Camp is the infamous Tuesday night, when the campers all gathered for what we thought was just going to be a ‘normal’ grilled chicken and corn and a tossed salad dinner. (We loved the grilled corn!) Shockingly, it was far from normal. No one expected what was to come. We shared our thoughts of camp (after only knowing one another for just two days) not only to each other, but several invited guests that we were meeting for the very first time. Something happened. We all joined together and became extremely trustworthy of one another. We shared our “aha” moments of camp. I was in total awe of what I was experiencing. However, I left that night wishing that I would have said more.
Throughout the week, the one word that we heard over and over again was compassion. It was the one word that stood out the most. Every speaker made sure we felt the need for compassion. Over and over we heard and felt it. It was the most important part of each and every organization or non-profit. The compassion turned into passion. I realized that I could take my passion for helping others and take action.
My ‘aha’ moment came on Thursday. It was a combination of Paul Schervish, John Griswold, Steve Culbertson and the ‘magic’ of Paul Newman’s Hole in The Wall Gang Camp with Jimmy Canton and Matthew Cook. It also proved to me that we are all different and ‘aha’ moments come when you least expect it. It was not just one thing, one person, one activity or one camper, it’s was a combination of everything that we learned and experienced. My time at camp was complete.
I spent half of my spring break in Columbus, Georgia participating in Habitat for Humanity. I would not have traded that for any other trip in the world! I don’t collect projects or run for positions just to be acknowledged. I do it because it’s what I have passion for, so I ran for Student Body President at Ethel Walker School. Campaigning during our centennial year might huge ordeal for some, but it wasn’t for me. Grab The Torch and all the speakers taught me that if I complete my task with passion I can and will succeed to my greatest potential.
Grab the Torch Camp changed my outlook on life. It made me more adventurous in striving for opportunities that just seemed right. Camp provided the fuel for the fire of passion. I know the possibility of completing a task and goal is greater than ever before.
-Kayla Monroe, 2011-2012 Student Body President, The Ethel Walker School ‘12
Dear Dave,
I am sending this email to you on behalf of my wife (Kimberly) and I to let you know that our daughter Kayla (a recent Grab the Torch participant) recently was elected to the position of President of her student body for the upcoming school year at The Ethel Walker School! This is a very special accomplishment for Kayla and an important year for the school as they will be celebrating their centennial! As my wife and I reflect on Kayla's growth over the past 3 years at EWS, we often share what we believe to have been significant experiences that have contributed to her growth and leadership development. After returning from GTT, Kayla continued to remain enthusiastic about opportunities to help others as evidenced by her spending Spring break building a home for Habitat for Humanity in Georgia. Without a doubt, her participation in the GTT experience was one that returned our daughter to us with a new focus, perspective on helping others, and thirst for leadership positions that will put her in the best position to mature into the work of a "budding philanthropist".
Kayla was definitely inspired by the many visiting speakers at the GTT camp and has learned the value of connecting with others for greater causes that result in helping those in need. Kayla has shared that she will always remember this lesson learned from camp speakers; "Completing a task with passion is the only way to make sure it'll be successful".
Thank you and your organization for all that you've done to help our daughter grow. We look forward to her contributing in great ways as one of our future leaders!
Sincerely,
Dr. & Mrs. Troy A. Monroe
