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Camp staffer honoured by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 9 | Friday, August 23, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com The hard work and dedication of the Town of Oakville's Summer Sizzlers camp staff were recognized at Town Hall Monday night with the Ray McConnell Memorial Leadership Awards. The evening's awards ceremony began with a slideshow of pictures and videos depicting the many highlights of this year's camping season. The slideshow featured numerous photos of smiling camp staff with equally happy children, photos documenting pie fights, face painting, singing and dancing competitions, trips to the Toronto Zoo and Casa Loma among many other fun activities. Following the slideshow, the Town's Supervisor of Youth and Children's Services, Carol Gall, addressed the audience of more than 100 and thanked them for making this a summer to remember for the more than 5,000 children who participated in the Town's summer camp program. "Without you, we would not have had the successful summer that we had. We hope that you have been able to develop yourself. We hope you have been able to learn something about each other, about communicating, about children and about patience," she said. "There is a `U' in group and we could not have done this without everyone of you pitching in and giving it your all. We know the days are long." Nina de Vaal, director of Recreation and Culture for the Town of Oakville, also thanked the young camp staff for all their efforts, particularly for allowing the Town to maintain its High Five accreditation. High Five is recognized nationally as the top quality assurance program for children's recreation. "We've been able to maintain that and it is largely due to the leadership you perform during the summer months," said de Vaal. "You can see that in the video we saw this eve- ning. All the smiling faces. It is clear your leadership shows caring and a true commitment to the children you deal with on a day to day basis." Numerous camp staff were singled out for going above and beyond this summer. Kristy Race, who recently graduated from teachers college at University of Western Ontario, was chosen by her peers to receive the Ray McConnell Award. The award is named after the former camp leader in the Oakville Parks and Recreation Summer Activity Centre program from 1979-81. McConnell consistently displayed outstanding leadership during his employment, but lost his life on Sept. 1, 1982 in a motorcycle accident involving an impaired driver. Race received the award because of her extreme efforts to ensure all the volunteers on her team had a positive experience during their placements with the camps. She was recognized for her drive to improve camp programs, her ability to draw out the best in her staff and solicit their ideas and concerns to make the programs better, and her constant willingness to lend a helping hand or offer advice. Gall referred to Race as `a machine,' `a marvel' and the Town's very own `Amazing Race.' Race was overwhelmed by her recognition and the standing ovation she received from her colleagues. "I don't even know where to start. I just want to say thank you. Those were some of the nicest words I have ever heard come from anyone. That's what you guys said about me? That's amazing," said Race to the audience. "You are all just as wonderful...This is my eighth summer and every year I totally feel like it gets better. I am so lucky to have worked with every one of you. These have been some of the best years of my entire life. I will always remember them and that's all thanks to you guys." McConnell's sister, Catherine DeBorba presented Race with her award. see Awards on p.13 The Ray McConnell Memorial Leadership Awards night for Summer Sizzlers camp staff was recently held in Oakville. Here, winner of the honour, Kristy Race (left), accepts the award from Catherine DeBorba (Ray's sister). | photo by Eric Riehl ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog) A STEP BEYOND IN CARE DO YOU HAVE: Salima Kassam Reg. Chiropodist · Foot/Arch Pain? · Ingrown Toenails? · Diabetes? · Swollen Ankles? · Corns, Calluses? CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT 905-632-1414 728 Burloak Drive www.footandhealthclinic.com CONCRETE · DRIVEWAYS · FRENCH CURBS · PATIOS · STEPS · WALKWAYS · GARAGE FLOORS CORK FLOORING CORK WALL & CEILING COVERINGS CORK HOME DECOR CORK GIFT ITEMS · INSTALLATIONS Cork: Natural, Renewable, Sustainable,Versatile, Comfortable, Beautiful uality At Its Best! Call Fernando D IS S C O V E R T H E BEAUT TY OF CORK! 905-844-5518 · 1-888-944-5518 EXPOSED AGGREGATE (Pebble) www.concretetrimmings.com FREE ESTIMATES 905.257.5588 · www.corkhouse.com 2441 Neyagawa Blvd., Oakville