Parent Reflections

Northwaters and Langskib are coming to a town near you! The “North American Living Room Tour” begins this fall! Our owner and director, C.G. Stephens is taking our show on the road, visiting friends and alumni to share what we do first hand with prospective NWL families.

Sometimes the website and brochure just aren’t enough- now is your chance to meet the director, speak to current families and get a true sense of who we are and what our community and programs are all about.

We will share food, drinks, stories and photos from 6-8pm in the following locations.

Southport, Connecticut- Thursday, January 19th, 2012

Boulder, Colorado- Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

Richmond Hill, Ontario- Saturday, February 25th, 2012

New York City, NY-Friday, March 9th, 2012

Northern Michigan and Ann Arbor dates pending

Contact us if you or a friend would like to  learn more, join us or host a recruiting event in your neck of the woods.

cena@northwaters.com, 866-458-9974

What our first timers are saying about Northwaters and Langskib …

“I just wanted to drop a quick note to say thanks to everyone for making Brendan’s Excalibur trip so wonderful.  He talked nonstop from the time I met him at the Airport till we pulled in the driveway at home 7 hours later (and then he started all over for his dad and brother)!  But what I have to say made everything really come to life for us were the wonderful pictures – both from the basecamp which were emailed to us at the beginning of the trip and the pictures on his camera.  Brendan is a pretty terrific kid but he came home from Langskib even better!  Thanks again to all at Langskib – Brendan can’t wait for next summer.”

Love, The C Clan (1^st year participant in our 2 week all boys’ program, age 12)

“Thank you soooo much for everything you have done for my little man and for me. Nate has had nothing but amazing things to say about his awesome adventure in the Temagami Wilderness, and it sure has been quite the experience for me too. He is so proud of himself for overcoming his fears and just letting Mother Nature take care of him, although I have to give you credit for doing such a great job as well.”

xo, Bree Ann. (1^st year participant in our 3.5 week all boys’ program, age 11)

“First a big THANK YOU to you all.  Meg had an amazing time and got everything we hoped for and more out of her time in Temagami.  Michael and I are very appreciative of the hard work, the integrity and the excellence of your program.  We are loving Meg’s stories, she has clearly found a new sense of herself and her potential.  She is very proud of herself!  She told me she spent a lot of time thinking on those portages. I know we have only heard the tip of the ice berg about where her thoughts led her, but what is showing up so far is that she knows she can do more than she thought she could, she can face difficult situations and find the lessons and she can have fun even when the going gets tough!  We now have a new phrase in our house for challenges “it’s just another portage”.”

Katy K (1^st year female participant in our 3.5 week co-ed program, age 16)

“Henry had the kind of experience with you that we hoped he would have … and much much more. Marshal and Laura seem to have been extraordinary leaders.  Henry was appreciative of many of the lessons they taught and/or modeled throughout the journey.  He loved the challenge, and understood the support that everyone needs from time to time. He was impressed by the level of teamwork necessary, and talked about the importance of being able to carry your load.

He came back confident, realizing the difference between spending one’s day doing things that “other people” think are important (i.e. school), and spending a meaningful day engaged in work that has a direct bearing on your survival in the short and long term.  He found a zen kind of focus there that he has a hard time finding in his city life.  We’ll be thinking this year about how to change his life in NYC to incorporate these spirit-sustaining discoveries.

Henry loved the intellectual life on the trail as well.  The conversations were often hilarious, but created perspective on basic things people don’t often talk about, like basic bodily functions, modesty, etc. Other conversations posed question about life, that we don’t often make time for. When we gave Henry back his cell phone, he found that it needed charging.  We noticed that he didn’t bother to charge it for a week.  Maybe he still hasn’t.   Instead, we continued the Northwaters conversations in the car.

Henry came back a new man.”

Ellie C- (Henry’s mom, first-year participant in co-ed Northwaters trip, age 14)

And now a few words from our returning participants…

“Wanted to share with you that he had the most wonderful, fabulous time. It’s life changing for him.  Thank you for all of your efforts. Max talks all about the guys leading it (Eric Miller and  Ryan Sablosky)and the entire experience. Blessings and deep gratitude.”

Susan M- (Max’s mom, a Langskib participant 2009-2011)

“Thank you again for all that you do – you guys have an amazing program and the boys and I are so grateful for it. It’s incredible to see what my boys have learned in the summers-I would say it is more like this thing that permeates their very being-I can see the strong and upright men that they are becoming. There are times when one or the other is struggling with something in life and I swear I can watch them gather themselves up again in a way that I never taught them to do- I can see them tap into this thing that soaked into their skin at camp.  I have even overheard them reminding each other of the challenges they overcame at Langskib. And so again, I thank you for all the work you are doing-this is so what our children and the children of the future need.”

Judith M (mom of Makima and Taeven, participants 2007-2011)

“Arik’s experiences with Langskib and Temagami have anchored his sense of self and given wings to his dreams and aspirations! I have such deep gratitude and respect for what this program nurtures and unfolds for these young people! It was a dream of mine, as well,that Arik be able to experience the sanctuary of the wild Temagami … it has served us both so well! Venturing North to see him come in from a trip … it has been the high-point of my summers!”

Lezlie D (Arik’s mom, participant 2006-2011)

We picked up our son in Ottawa yesterday all worried about how the weather had affected his stay at camp and the first words out of his mouth were “I wish I was staying longer”. On our 2 hour ride back home he did not stop talking and when we arrived I realized that he had not one complaint, not even about the weather! He loved his experience, the scenery, the activities, the staff, the quest and the food! He loved it all! He definitely wants to come back next summer. Your camp offered exactly what your literature stated and more!

Thank you and your colleagues for your wonderful work. I sent you a participant that was both apprehensive and eager in my daughter. You returned to me a strong happy and confident young woman who was experiencing the best qualities of self determination and confidence. She was better able to deal with all the dynamics of her stepfamily and sharing very uniquely with her father…She presented maturity that seemed new to me, I attribute it to her greater sense of self that you guided her to. Her stories were brimming with learning and lessons of life through adventure.

My sons have been coming up over the past 6 years and have loved their experiences. I am so overjoyed at the growth that they have experienced through their adventures with Langskib. I think you folks do an amazing job and it is clear that it is a passion for you.

My grandson recently attended Langskib for a three week wilderness and canoeing experience. As his grandmother, I was fortunate to be with his mum and sister at Northwaters to see him return from that trip and what a wonderful sight it was – one I shall never forget. Since returning home he has shared and shared his experiences with us. He loved not just every moment and all the adventures but the beauty of all he saw. He took about 200 photographs and we have looked again and again at each one. He spent days putting them in an album and we spent hours going through each one before writing a caption. His favorite photos are of beautiful sunsets upon calm waters – they are quite amazing. He is so proud and happy to have participated, and I thank you not only for all the hard work you put into such ventures, but for your respect towards these young people and the relationship you build with them.

My daughter arrived back home this week after her adventures with you all at Northwaters and I can honestly say I have never seen her look so happy.  Not always forthcoming about her doings,  she didn’t stop telling me about her experiences non stop for two days.   She found something very certain in herself on this trip, a strengthening in her fabric, which shines through all the stories.  Thank you so much to you and your colleagues and to her clearly wonderful trip leaders.

Thank you so very much not only for encouraging my son to enjoy and cherish his Langskib experience but mostly for the care, kindness and conscience that allowed him to flourish and grow through it. When he arrived home I couldn’t find the off switch for him and his wondrous tales, and I loved every moment of the tellings. My son returned home to me a better ‘man’ able to face new challenges with his teeth firmly to the wind!

The reason I sent my son to Langskib was because, if the literature was true, then it echoed my feelings on raising a boy—the idea of boy/man culture, mentoring, camaraderie, task-orientation and physical exertion. And as you, his dad and I are divorced, and, unfortunately, his father doesn’t represent the greatest male role-model—he’s more of a buddy to the kids than a dad. I wanted my son to go and see that there was more than one way to “be a man.” I was so excited on our drive up to Temagami for the BBQ; I could barely sleep the night before. The boat ride to the island. Waiting on the island. It was like Christmas. When you guys finally arrived, and I saw my son on the boat soaking wet my heart just swelled up. We both cried while we hugged each other tighter than ever before. I don’t think that moment will ever be forgotten. It was so awesome to see him in the camp environment—to see him interacting with his mates and his Leaders. On our way home we talked about how he got his Coo Feathers (which are now framed and hanging on his wall), his solo (thank you for giving the kids that opportunity, it was really special), his leaders, the rain (and the value of a good rain coat), canoeing, camping, cooking, his mates, what he learned, everything and nothing. We talked about how some of what he learned could be applied to life and school; how some people have already talked to him about really committing himself to get things done, and how it is all connected. In an effort to really learn these lessons, I told him he had to raise $100 to put towards his camp tuition next year. He put together a business plan—he’s getting people’s mail / watering plants / cat sitting/ fish sitting while people are away. At this point he’s already raised $255 with three jobs pending. I’ve really noticed a difference in him this year—he seems more determined to do his best at school instead of what he needs to do to get by. He’s starting to see that hard work really pays off—and sometimes the best pay off is a feeling of pride and accomplishment.

I am sorry that it has taken us so long to respond to the amazing experience that our son had. It was hard to put it into words, he returned to us quite changed, but in a powerful and mysterious way. We did make a place in our life for him to tell his story and he did say a great deal about the trip, mostly about the fun he had. But, I felt that he had withheld so much and couldn’t yet speak about it. With time though, it has slowly come from him. How it was the most important thing he feels that he has ever done; how he could begin high school with more sensitivity toward others and with more initiative; how he isn’t the ‘baby’ (a role he had guarded) of our family anymore; how his occasional adolescent cynicism can be reached with communication (this is still difficult though); how life isn’t just about ‘hanging out’. Thank you for this precious opportunity to grow that you have created for these young people. We are so grateful to you.

Both my husband and I have seen a notable, positive change in our daughter. She always talks most favorably about her experience at Northwaters, remarking how it was a life changing experience and one that gave her great inner and spiritual strength. She loved her trip leaders and still holds them in high esteem as wonderful role models. Our daughter often relates the life lessons learned at camp with present day challenges and recognizes the value of her experience then and her life now. Her teachers at school this year have noted a boost in confidence in her approach to her academics.

My daughter arrived home this morning and she is positively on cloud nine.  This was such a great experience for her.  Each year she feels stronger and more confident.  It is a feeling I hope she can hold on to throughout the year. I just wanted to thank you, her leaders and your staff.   She loved Laura and Lucy, her leaders.  She has wonderful stories about their capable and caring leadership.  Also, your staff at the airport was so supportive and helpful when the flights were canceled.  Matt, in particular, was very gracious in dealing with my concerned phone calls.

I picked up my daughter from London Heathrow airport last Tuesday – she’d spent 2 weeks after the Bay trip with her Dad and sisters in Wisconsin.  I want to thank you so much for once again enabling her to have a fantastic and life-enhancing experience (even including the black fly bites!).  And also to again thank Deepwater for making it possible financially.  She seems full of life and clearly her love for her fellow trippers and her leaders is profound.  Her summers with Northwaters have run like a thread through her teenage years, connecting her to the outdoors, the wild world, to adventure and to that strong and doughty side of herself she would certainly not have found in her life at home.  Each trip has brought it’s particular new notch of awareness and this time she used the word ‘spiritual’ for the first time.

My son has absolutely loved his experiences at Langskib. He talks about it all the time. He’s always planning for his next adventure there. Thank you so much for providing him with such amazing experiences.

My daughter has returned home and is full of great stories of her adventures and is very much looking forward to returning next year. Thank you for taking such great care of her. The only things she says she didn’t like about the trip was the spider in the thunder box and the mosquitoes!! And when we were waiting for her baggage at baggage claim at SFO, she proudly stated that SHE could carry her own bag because it was WAY lighter than what she was used to carrying!  Soooo cute! Thanks so much!!

Thanks for providing such an amazing experience for all of my children (my 7 year old Nicholas is counting the summers until he can attend). And thank you the BBQ and celebration we were able to attend – it wasn’t just awesome, but my husband and I were both filled with awe. As he mentioned on the way back, those kids were patterning for us, and certainly giving them words and actions that have never been a part of their life.

Just wanted to thank you for all of your correspondence and let you know that my daughter had a wonderful time. We have had several lovely chats about her trip and she thinks you both are such wonderful people. She also repeatedly felt a sense of community and family throughout her stay.

I wanted to thank you again for the special pick up for our son.  He said that on the second morning of his trip he asked to go home, he still felt that sick.  Once he felt better he was so very glad he stayed.  He had the most wonderful time, really enjoyed all the challenges, making new friends, and was very proud of his achievements.  He came back to us on a real high. So thank you for a great camp experience and hopefully he will be able to participate on one of your trips next year.  He is already looking forward to it.

Although it has been weeks since we have been at Northwaters, we still think of and talk about that beautiful place every day. When we arrived in Temagami, we were caught off-guard by the staggering beauty of the lake and the incomparable strength of the young women at base camp. The sensory experience of seeing the camp, hearing the experiences and stories, feeling the power, strength and self-confidence radiate from the young women in our daughters group, and tasting not only the wonderful food, but the atmosphere of the camp was almost overwhelming. I found myself having to leave the camp and go look out on the lake and compose myself. My husband felt the same way. We never knew the extent of the power of the experience that our daughter has had each year. Stories tell only part of the adventure-the rest has to be seen and experienced. Although we were only at Temagami for a short time, it had left a lasting impression. We will be back for a longer visit to fully appreciate what the lake has to offer and to enjoy what our daughter has come to believe as her sanctuary from her ‘regular’ life. Each year, you thank us for entrusting our daughters to you. It is our turn to thank you for offering this demanding and unique experience that makes each girl dig deep within themselves and begin to appreciate the depth of spirit and strength that they possess.

Recently, my son was asked by his teachers if he would share with his classmates about his trip. He did this wholeheartedly and what amazement it brought to everyone! He has been so satisfied with his trip and we have loved hearing him tell about it. We REALLY loved coming to the barbeque and meeting all of you. What a wonderful and beautiful place! I am so glad that our son has had the opportunity to be there. Thank you so much for all that you do, it is such a precious deed.

Our son had an amazing time with your group — he is so inspired. Thanks for all that you provide and do.