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What is Buckeye Leadership Workshop?

Buckeye Leadership Workshop (BLW, Buckeye, Workshop) is an interactive learning and sharing workshop dedicated to the idea that education through recreation is a very effective learning tool.  BLW provides a powerful learning environment in which anyone who works with people, professionally or on a volunteer basis, can develop programming for groups of all ages.  One of the unique characteristics of BLW is participants are given the opportunity to teach as well as learn.

Where is Buckeye Leadership Workshop held?

BLW 2008 will be held at Recreation Unlimited just outside Ashley Ohio.  Recreation Unlimited is a campus style facility designed for physically challenged attendees.  As such, it is easy to get around, with paved walkways, few hills, wide doors and so on.  The BLW Staff also has access to golf carts for transportation if needed.  For more information on Ashley Ohio, Click Here. For more information on Recreation Unlimited, Click Here.  Contact information for Recreation Unlimited is:

Recreation Unlimited Foundation
7700 Piper Road
Ashley, OH  43003
Phone: (740) 548-7006
Fax: (740) 747-2640 or (740) 747-3139
E-mail: info@recreationunlimited.org

The best way to get directions is to use MapQuest.  For access to MapQuest, Click Here.

How Long Does BLW last?  

BLW 2008 is a 4 full day workshop.  However, allowances should be made for travel.  The dates for BLW are March 26, 2008 to March 30, 2008.  You should arrive between 3:00PM and 5:00PM on Wednesday, March 26.  Bottom line is that BLW is 4 full days and part of Wednesday.

How much does it cost?

This year, the tuition is $310 if your application is in prior to February 28.  After that, it's $335.  Scholarships are available.  For more information on scholarships, Click here.  For more information on fees and registration, click here. If you are the recipient of a scholarship, you will be expected to help the staff set up for Evening Program, clean up after meals, volunteer for the Courtesy Corps and other things during the course of the Workshop.  You will only be asked to provide a couple of hours of work.

What about Transportation?

You are expected to provide your own transportation to and from BLW.  However, you can fly into Port Columbus International Airport in Columbus Ohio, and the BLW staff can arrange transportation.  If you wish to take advantage of the "BLW Shuttle Service", please contact Paula Keller, our registrar.  The best way is e-mail, Click Here.

What Sort of Classes are offered? And are the same classes offered each year?

For class descriptions and facilitators, Click Here.  Many of the classes will vary from year-to-year.  Two of the anchor classes for which BLW is known are Quilting and Team Challenge.  Some classes are offered for two or three years, then changed for a year or so.  Other classes are taught once.  BLW is a dynamic environment and as such, we try to vary the offering so that we can be as diverse as the population we serve.

What if I have a medical problem?           

We have a Registered Nurse on Staff 24/7 during BLW.  We are also within a few miles of medical facilities in Delaware, Ohio and Columbus Ohio.  Any special medical requirements should be noted on your registration form. 

How about Food?

Three meals a day, served family style, are part of the tuition.  Normally, a salad bar is provided for lunch and dinner.  Any special dietary needs - diabetic, vegitarian, no peanuts, etc. should be noted on your registration form. Coffee and "Bug Juice" as well as water are available most of the time.  Snacks are set out, and each Evening Program includes a snack.  If you go hungry at Buckeye, you might want to see your Doctor when you get home!!

What are the living conditions?

We sleep in segregated dormatory style cabins.  There are two cabins for women, and one for men.  Be aware that this is an accessable camp, and as such, the dorms are designed so that sound travels very easily throughout the entire cabin. This is necessary to monitor campers with disabilities which might preclude calling for help by traditional methods.  You will get a "group living policy" with your packet of information.  You are expected to have respect for your fellow Workshoppers in terms of noise control during quiet hours.  While the accomodations are not on par with the Hilton, they are not exactly spartan and primitive.  You will sleep in bunkbeds with 3" mattresses.  You might want to consider an air mattress.  Hospital beds are available on request, but quite limited.  There are 6 showers per cabin. There are privacy curtains across the shower stalls.  Hot water is usually in abundance, but if you are the last person to shower in the morning, keep in mind that cold water is a possibility. 

What's the age and gender mix?

Traditionally, we have had about 65% female and 35% male.  70% youth and 30% adults.  Age differences are very seldom noticed after the first few hours. 

What happens when I get to Buckeye? 

You will be greeted by the "Courtesy Corps" - a group of Staff and Volunteers who will assist you in getting to your cabin and getting settled.  Cabin assignments are made by the staff.  This takes much of the stress out of the logistics. Once you are settled in your cabin, you will check in with registrations where you submit your medical forms, Group Living forms, and pay any fees due.  You will then be directed to an area in the Lodge where you will make your name tag (which is worn all during workshop - (hey, we want to know who you are and call you by your first name.  "Hey You" doesn't promote that warm fuzzy feeling). You will also be directed to the dining hall where you will eat supper.  This is by necessity, one meal where you will eat buffet style.  The first Evening Program will be an introduction to BLW.  This can be a rather overwhelming experience for the first few hours.  We want to make it as seamless as possible.

What should I bring?

You will get a suggested list of "stuff" in your packet.  Some things you might consider are snacks (but be ready to share), warm bedding, warm clothes (March in Mid Ohio is pretty unpredictable), sturdy shoes. Costumes!! We have a different theme everynight, so read your introductory pamphlet once you get it and plan accordingly.  While we realize that you want to stay in contact, please plan on leaving cell phones in your cabins or cars. Most of the staff will be carrying cell phones for emergency purposes, and if there is an emergency, one of the Staff should be notified.

How do I recognize Committee (Staff)?

After the first night, that will not be an issue.  There are 24 members of the Committee, and they will all be introduced on Wednesday evening.  They will also be wearing "Staff Identifiers".  For BLW 2008, the Staff Identifier will be a necktie.  Some of the Staff was dragged kicking an screaming to the alter of the Infernal Necktie, including your gentle web dude, Scuba Steve Arnold.  However, we were outvoted, outmuscled and considered outlaws.  So, watch for those folks wearing neckties and approach them for any questions or directions.

Why do I have to reamain on Campus during the entire BLW?

For one, liability issues.  That's the legal stuff.  The primary reason is that BLW is an evolutionary process where each day builds upon the previous.  Also, since it is interactive, if you leave, that leaves a gap for the remainder of the members of your sessions.  In order to maintain continuity and to experience the full benefit of BLW you must attend full Workshop.

Why can't I have visitors? 

Again, liability issues.  Nearly every minute is utilized in order to provide the best possible experience.  Visitors are a distraction not to just the person being visited, but to others in the vicinity.

If I have forgotten something that I absolutely cannot live without, what do I do?

Contact one of the Staff and we will make arrangements to get you what you need.

What's this auction thing?

In order to support the R.Bruce Tom Scholarships, we have an auction every year.  Auction items range from hand-built jewelry boxes to pipe chimes to games to comestible goodies (that's good stuff to eat).  If you'd like to contribute something to the auction, please bring it with you and leave it in your vechicle.  The Auction Committee will give you further directions.

Are there resources available?                            

BLW is proud to have one of the best stocked book stores for recreational material around.  Items are sold for a small profit, which is put back into the Scholarship fund.

Who do I contact if I have more questions?

Click here for the Executive Committee and other contacts who can answer your questions.