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What does a Grammy-winning band and a forest-filled summer camp in Komoka, Ontario have in common? Surprisingly, quite a lot. OK Go, the band famous not only for their catchy music but also for their wildly imaginative music videos - like dancing in zero gravity or driving a car through a musical obstacle course - are often asked: “How do you think of those ideas?” Their answer? We don’t think of them… we find them. To discover those magical, surprising, and original ideas, they don’t sit down and plan every detail. Instead, they jump into what they call “the sandbox” - a space to play, test, explore, and see what sticks. It’s messy. It’s unpredictable. And it’s exactly where creative magic happens. That same magic happens every day at Camp Kee-Mo-Kee. Our camp is more than trees and cabins - its also a massive sandbox (literally, thanks to our sandy forest floor!). We don’t mean "sandbox" in the plastic playground sense - we mean it the way OK Go does: a place for creativity and discovery through joyful, open-ended play. Camp KMK is a place where campers are encouraged to explore, try new things, and discover who they are. At Kee-Mo-Kee, children are empowered to choose their own adventures through our Camper Choice programs. Whether it’s painting in the art hut, building forts in the woods, or inventing epic games with cabin mates. We also make time for unstructured free play - those golden hours when imaginations run wild and the best memories are made without a plan. It’s in these unscripted moments - led by curiosity and guided by wonder - that campers start to find their own great ideas. Just like in OK Go’s videos, it’s not about sticking to what’s always worked. It’s about experimenting. It’s about lining up just the right elements - like a hula hoop, a new friend, and a wild idea - and creating something brand new. Something delightful. Something that might not even have a name yet. That’s the magic of Camp. We’re not just teaching archery or singing camp songs (though we do love both). We’re building a nurturing environment where kids feel safe to be bold, to take risks, and to find what lights them up inside. Because when children are free to truly play, they grow in ways no worksheet or screen can match. They become more independent, more collaborative, and more confident. And yes - they have so much fun along the way. At Kee-Mo-Kee, we believe the best ideas - the ones that shape lives - are found, not forced. And the best way to find them? Play! So here’s to our great big sandbox. To the freedom to explore. To the joy of surprise. And to the belief that in the many little moments of camp, something truly magical is waiting to be discovered. Because every child deserves a place to find their spark. And at Camp, we’ve got the sandbox ready. Carter Mahoney
Executive Director P.S. - Check out OK Go’s TED Talk about creativity and see the kind of imaginative spirit that inspires me every day at camp.
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