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Blog

Staff Awards

The Lodge Award and the Golden Arrow

At Forest Lake we feel it is important to recognize staff as well as campers on some special occasions. For our final Candlelight Campfire of the summer we include some very special awards for members of our staff who have stood out over the season and throughout their time at FLC.

The Lodge Award

Each summer the The Lodge Award is given to a recent addition to the Forest Lake Camp staff, and is to recognize a staff member who, to anyone unfamiliar with FLC, would seem like a 10 year veteran. What does a 10 year veteran at FLC look like? It is a person who takes on tasks without needing to be asked. It is a person who looks for opportunities to be involved and lend a hand when it is not always a part of their job description. It is a person who effortlessly and happily lives each day at camp to the fullest. It is a person who finds joy in the small things of camp and respects the traditions and history that came before them. It is a person who campers look up to and peers respect and admire. It is someone who embodies the greatness of a camp counselor beyond their years. It is a person who shows that FLC has become like home.

This year’s Lodge recipient embraces all of these qualities and we were very happy to recognize Gemma Turanski for her tremendous hard work, commitment to all things camp and her own growth throughout this summer.

Gemma is someone who showed initiative, passion and enthusiasm for everything at Forest Lake Camp. She was an extremely reliable member of staff who was willing to help out wherever needed. Her looked up to her as someone they could depend on and the administrative staff saw her as committed and dedicated.

The Golden Arrow 

The Golden Arrow award is a lifetime achievement award at Forest Lake Camp and is the longest standing staff award, dating back to the mid 50‘s.  Its recipients are long serving staff members who work to uphold the principles and values of FLC and who give their time and effort to the FLC community.  

As tradition goes, the Golden Arrow is passed down from its previous recipient. Caroline Kravitz, the girls camp head counselor and previous recipient, awarded this years Golden Arrow to Shalagh Blanck for her commitment and dedication to Forest Lake Camp. Shalagh has changed the face of the Camp Store that we all love so much. She has also shown true dedication and love for everyone who sets foot on camp. She always has the time to say hello and her willingness to jump in wherever she is needed is always appreciated. Everyone on camp knows who she is and knows that they can go to her for help, advice, a laugh, or just a piece of candy after a long day. She has brought joy to our campers and staff and has forever changed camp for the better.