IDW: Thank You ACC

[Walter Felton]

During the Canoe Instructor IDW this past weekend the ACC club members showed why we have a successful club. 6 instructor candidates worked almost none stop during the development process. The 6 candidates are Debbie Doss, Tom Kennon, Marc and Patti Van Camp, Steve Shepherd and Adam Willard. 2 current instructors, Arthur Bowie and Marcell Jones gave up a weekend or recreational paddling to support the training strictly as volunteers. Beyond the candidate’s commitment, others from the canoe club stepped up to make the training a success. Dave and Cindy Robertson hosted the event at their house and provided a huge amount of logistical support, putting meals together, driving shuttles and providing critical information specific to the area. Several members showed up on Saturday night to encourage the candidates enjoy dinner and provide a much needed social break. These members recognized the time constrains involved and offered support but did not impede the training. On Sunday Mike Chiolino showed up at Campbell’s at noon and cook a much needed hot meal for the group coming off of the river. Ryan Center helped with shuttles and provided security for the equipment left at the take out on Sunday. Many others helped by providing support behind the scenes.

On the drive back to Little Rock on Sunday night the Instructor Trainer Educator, Sam Fowlkes, commented more than once that the ACC is truly an amazing organization. The ACC is seen by the American Canoe Association as being one of the most active club in the organization and as having one of the best education programs in the country. That perception is due to the level of commitment and volunteerism that was exhibited this weekend.

So a huge THANKS to everyone that helped this weekend and to the rest of the ACC members for supporting in other ways and at other events.

Walter Felton

[GN YAKN]

Here's to the six candidates that worked there tail ends off over a long weekend full of challenges and hard work!!!

Walter and Sam must have been effective leaders because the candidates seemed to be in pretty good spirits the entire weekend even though they had to be totally spent.

It was a pleasure to get to be a part of the process and to be able to try and take care of the creature comforts so that the candidates could focus on their tasks and so the leaders could focus on developing more instructors for the ACC!!!