Howdy! Hello! Hola! Hallo! Bonjour!
My name is Colin Ferring and I have coexisted with this beautiful earth for 22 years. 2016 will be my first summer at the delightful land of Camp Augusta and I couldn’t be more excited. I went to summer camps in my younger years and had the time of my life. Now, I’m excited to bring the adventure and magic I experienced as a camper, to Augusta this summer as a counselor.
In May of 2015 I graduated from Coe College located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology. I found a particular interest in sociology because it is a subject that allows me to open my mind and look at situations from multiple perspectives, to gain a better understanding of the world around me. Coming from a small town in the Midwest, I had limited perspectives to view the world from and sociology allowed me to break this mold. While studying sociology in college, I was also a member of the Sociology and Anthropology Club as well as the football team. I played football for all four years of college and was a three year letter winner.
After I graduated from college, I moved back to my small hometown of Waukon, IA. There I completed an internship with a summer school program called 21st Century Community Connections. This internship gave me an opportunity to work with students ranging from kindergarten through 12th grade. In doing this, I found I enjoyed working with students because I could also relate and understand them very well. When my internship was over I continued working with the program and coordinated an after school club once a week for the 2015-2016 school year. During this time I was also a manager of a 24 hour care home for individuals with special needs and intellectual disabilities. I enjoyed my job and the clients I worked with because they too provided me with another lens to view the world through. During my time at this job I worked with many different individuals with a variety of personalities and abilities. They were able to teach me a lot about life and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity.
Moving forward, I could no longer deny my soul’s hunger for adventure. I knew I enjoyed working with the youth, so I then began seeking out camps all over the US and elsewhere, to find one that was burning with the same fire I felt within my soul. I then stumbled upon CAMP AUGUSTA and thought, could it be!? Is this the place I’ve been scouring the globe for!? The more I researched, the more it became clear to me; the land of Augusta is where I must be. After hours and hours of research and studying, I had prepared myself for the biggest adventure of my life. I then packed my bags and ventured west, in search of the land of magic, mystery, and wonder, to join my fellow Augustan family. ☺
In the future I plan on continuing my education in an unknown field, which is why I’m taking the time now, to figure it out. I also plan on traveling all over the states as well as the globe, in search of adventure and knowledge. Traveling is something I’m very passionate about and currently, I’ve been to seven different countries and 25 states. The thing I enjoy the most about traveling is the way it increases my knowledge and widens my perspective of life. Whether it’s getting to know new people, trying new food, or seeing a particular landscape for the first time, the world has so much to offer us. I view the world as simply a classroom to learn from.
Besides for traveling, other activities I enjoy include: mountain biking, trail running, kayaking, canoeing, snowboarding, wakeboarding, longboarding, hunting, fishing, hiking, archery, and building almost anything. My passion for outdoor activities roots from being raised in the rural area. I have lived on the countryside all of my life, until I went to college. I have an older brother, Caleb, and a younger sister, Callie and we spent much of our free time playing in the woods, going fishing/hunting, swimming in ponds and creeks, and creating forts out of sticks, ropes, scrap lumber, and anything else we could get our hands on. Having a father who is a carpenter, we were pretty crafty at a young age. We were encouraged to build and create whatever our minds could come up with. Every summer since I was 12 years old I have worked for my father’s construction company…until now. Over the years, I have gained a lot of knowledge in the realm of carpentry and am lucky to have a father who is a master at his craft. I’m also fortunate enough to have a mother who is a master at her craft of cosmetology. So, if any campers need a haircut during their time at Camp Augusta, I would be happy to give them one, because yes, I learned a thing or two from my mother as well. ☺
Every day I look forward to my arrival at Camp Augusta. I keep imagining the smiling faces of my fellow Augustans as well as the campers when they arrive. I’m excited to show the campers the magical, beautiful, and wonderful world of camp Augusta. I look forward to losing myself in nature in hopes to ultimately finding myself and will invite the campers to do the same. This summer I hope to gain a better understanding of who I am and I hope the campers will leave Augusta with a better understanding of who they are. I anticipate the day when the campers arrive to radiate the energy of their young souls on Augusta and the camp becomes alive and filled with love, magic, wonder and adventure.
I look forward to seeing you at camp!
P.S. It’ll be here quicker than you think, because time goes faster as we get older. If you’re wondering why, ask me when you get to camp. 🙂
