in 1972 I applied for and was accepted to work at a resort in Ontario’s Muskoka. It was a delight – I couldn’t believe it as I would not turn 16 until the end of the year. Somehow they misread the date of my birth and believing I was already 16 took me to manage the rowboats and canoes at the “boat house”. The boat was probably 70 or 80 feet long sitting right out over the water, it housed the rentals, the ski boat, and the 40-person launch. My job – rent out boats, clean the launch – with lemon oil (no gloves provided), and make sure the ski boat had gas. It was not a hard job.

Above the boat house on the second floor was the dorm for all the boys on staff. It was the summer of Fleetwood Mac, Leaving on a jet plane, and I was the youngest on staff – and probably the smallest but not at the end of the summer. I had to do my own laundry and I was sure I was shrinking my clothes – and shoes! By the end of the summer I had added three sizes to my shoes and almost six inches to my height. Boom!

I was interested in the many girls. Of the 85 on staff, there were 2 girls for every guy. But with great big 18-year-olds on staff, I wasn’t much of a catch. So I spent the summer watching others walk hand in hand. But that didn’t deter me from having great fun. Two of my friends also worked there and I made many other friends.

I’ve been thinking about the annual hunt for a summer job. It isn’t easy and finding one that pays enough is critical for many kids. I came home that first summer with $775 which they paid out in one cheque at the end of the summer. My friends who were working at the average summer camp came home with about $200. I bought a new bike and paid for all my clothes throughout the year.

This summer I am taking the opposite approach. I don’t want to work and I’m not going to. I will take the summer off and begin a new role in September which I will update you on later.

No, this summer it’s about NOT working!

You can read about that summer here!