Sharon Miles retires after 549 camp-filled days

Don't you wonder how many children, parents, and grandparents here in Big Canoe want to thank Sharon for her years of service as Director of Summer Day Camp. (Photo by Valerie Doll)

By Alice Eachus
Smoke Signals, August 2010

Rich and Sharon Miles were recognized at the Chapel at Stand Around on Sunday, July 15. Our thanks and best wishes, Sharon!

For the last 18 years, Sharon Miles has been a kid again, or at least very young at heart. Each May, Sharon and her husband Richard have packed up the family car in Hobe Sound, Florida, and headed north to their mountain home in Big Canoe.

Sharon just didn’t pack clothes, food, cameras and fishing gear. No indeed! Her mind was packed chockfull of ideas for great stuff to do with the hundreds of kids she would lead in Big Canoe’s summer camps. Sometimes challenging, but always exciting, Sharon was the Pied Piper of Big Canoe’s younger set for 18 years.

For those who ask, “What camp? I didn’t know we had a kids’ camp here,” Big Canoe’s camp runs from early June through the last week of July. Camp days are Tuesday–Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.; the daily fee is $15 per child. Camp meets in the Chapel area.

Kids ages 4–12 make up the roster. While many bounce in every single day for summer camp, others come for just a day or two— there’s no sign up, just show up. Many grandparents invite their whole brood of grandboys and grandgirls up for days of adventure.

Sharon gained experience volunteering in her own children’s schools so when the call went out for a Big Canoe day camp director almost two decades ago, Sharon raised her hand. She’s worn her whistle ever since. She’s now welcoming the offspring of the kids she directed in those early years. What has she learned most over the years?  Kids don’t ever change!

Kids loved the energized excitement Sharon brought to camp. Along with the usual arts and crafts, sing-a-longs, swimming and storytelling, Sharon made sure morning assemblies included outside “special effects” to keep kids entertained. She made camp days full of wonder for the kids, many of whom were hard to pry from video games. But, once they saw the great outdoors through Sharon’s eyes, couldn’t get enough of it.

Now it’s time for Sharon and Rich Miles to travel some miles of their own and see the world. During their winter months in Florida, Sharon keeps busy with her men’s sportswear clothing store at an indoor marketplace. Talk about a change of venue!

But, come next June, Sharon Miles just might be donning a counselor’s cap in lieu of her director’s whistle. Some good habits are just too hard to break!

Take a moment to see some of the summer fun Sharon has organized for children and grandchildren right here in Big Canoe!

July picnic at Summer Day Camp 2008 Photo by Kathleen Ingram

Day Camp is held for children ages 4-12 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during the months of June and July. Qualified teachers and aides serve on the staff.

No registration is required. The cost is $15.00 for one child and $10 for a second child.  Children are to bring along a sack lunch, towel, swim suit, and sunscreen! Just follow the signs downstairs to the level below the sanctuary.

Summer plans include a visit from the Big Canoe Fire Department to talk with the kids about their job and to allow kids to explore (with assistance) the fire engines. A wildlife center with resident experts will pay us a visit, bringing various critters for the children to see and hear about and, when appropriate, kids who wish are allowed to hold or pet the animals.

All kinds of fun arts and crafts activities are planned, with guest speakers, hiking in the woods, and going to the play field. Every afternoon we will go to the pool.

There's nothing as cool as running under those fire hoses on a 95+ degree day

Our Big Canoe Fire Department can always be counted on as a major attraction on a hot summer day! We always learn something from them about fire safety, have a chance to climb around those fire trucks, run under that cold water from those giant hoses, or just sit in the shade and take it all in!

Wildlife Wonders visited Big Canoe once again!

A Gallery of Fun at Day Camp!

VBS 2010 was extra special!

Everyone enjoyed the drum chorus under the direction of Sam Holmes!

Vacation Bible School 2010

Peg Ewing presenting Nancy Smith with a stuffed elephant and our thanks for all Nancy has done to make this week's Baobab Blast such a great success.

Arliss and Kathy Brigman held everyone's attention with the snakes and wild birds from Amicalola State Falls Park.

Mark Your Calendars - VBS is taking off to Egypt on June 13–17, 2011


Looking back on VBS in 2009...days to remember

Vacation Bible School at Big Canoe Chapel - June 15-19

Many smiling faces tell us the Chapel's Camp E.D.G.E. was a great success.

Lynne Searfoss
2009 VBS Co-Chair
What a fabulous week at Camp E.D.G.E. VBS! We played, sang, studied, learned--Experienced and Discovered God Everywhere with 98 campers and over 30 volunteers.

The children, along with your help, raised $1,726.41 for our mission project in Haiti! With that, we can provide clean water to an entire village and build a home for a family!

Thank you for making a difference!

VBS 2009 - Camp E.D.G.E (Experience and Discover God Everywhere)

VBS 2008 - Another great adventure