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Bee’s to the W… and… CHIMNEY! “Oh hectic heaps of Happiness, another year is upon us!” (applause erupt from the entire animal kingdom) Hello! Name is Jed Dixon and I am currently living in Duluth, MN. Yes, it's cold but the view of the largest lake in the world is not something to be missed if you get the chance. I love people. Great or small, loud or soft, shruggy or smiley. This is probably a good thing, because camp is going to be swarming with them come July. This will be my Third summer at Camp Augusta and I am almost floating in mid-air in anticipation of the experiences we will all have together. In my 27 years on this beautiful but fragile planet, one thing, more than anything else, has become clear to me: Anything is possible when we work together. The circle that we, as Augustians, create will stretch further that we can imagine if we choose to be open, teach, and learn from one another.
So, I have recently graduated from the University of Minnesota in Duluth where I discovered my major in theatre. I think that live performance, in addition to being an essential human expression, is our truest way to communicate to one another. Anywhats, I love to act and sing and generally play. I can't wait to write and perform more plays with all of you and do whatever it takes to get the whole camp rolling with joy and laughter. As I said before, I really love people. I love making new friends and keeping old ones, so if you see me sitting somewhere playing a tune on my ukulele, please come and join me. Maybe we can create some spectacular harmonies.
I am no stranger to hard work and stewardship of the land. I spent two years in Massachusetts volunteering for the SCA (Student Conservation Association) and AmeriCorps. Throughout this time, I lived in a bunkhouse with 24 unique and inspiring people in the Berkshire mountains and taught many elementary students environmental education. I even directed a play about the over-population of deer in a small town. During the summer months, we traveled in crews and worked our buns off making and repairing trails and bridges all over the great and surprisingly small state of Massachusetts. I have never worked harder in my life! I've also never felt better about what I helped to accomplish.
After my year living in the mountains and enjoying our serene surroundings, I decided it was not yet time for me to come home to Southern Minnesota. I promptly joined another volunteer group and moved to Cape Cod. I love the cape. I spent so much time leading groups of young people around the beaches and salt marshes. Imagine me, a simple young man from MN who has been obsessed with marine life since the age of 4, seeing creatures like moon snails and horseshoe crabs for the first time. I learned about habitat restoration and protection and did my very best to protect the plants and animals living on this delicate wonderland. This place was my home for only one year, but it changed my life. I performed in an operetta, I sang in a choir, and even learned how to surf, all while on the cape! My time out East taught me so many lessons about teamwork and personal responsibility, but the most important thing I learned once again is: anything is possible when we work together.
To me, nothing is more important than family. I've had some adventures and made heaps of new friends, but I always remember where I came from. I am the youngest of three boys and I know I can always count on them. My parents live in St. Peter, MN in the house I grew up in and both recently retired from jobs in education. My Ma was a music teacher and my Dad was an elementary school principal. This may not seem like a big deal to anyone else, but I wouldn't be the person you are all about to meet without the love and support of my folks. I'm also the uncle of three bright little boys and always make time for both of them, so I can learn what it is to be truly curious.
So, this is me on paper. I absolutely love the outdoors. I have lived in the city for far too long and am dreaming of the day when I can escape and share Augusta's natural beauties with all of you. I know this note is all the campers have to get to know us before camp starts but remember this: We are who we are because of the people that care about us and the times we share with them. I hope to meet you all as soon as possible and start sharing those times...but till then, in case you are thirsty for facts, here we go...
-I desperately want to live in Iceland for a spell and study their cars that run on Hydrogen and leave only water.
-I really think that cephalopods know more than they would like us to think.
-We should all sing as much as possible.
-A rainy day is just as precious as a sunny one.
-Humor completes us.
-Ukulele' rules!
-If possible, tinker, explore, and create.
-The best kind of music is live.
-I wish I had gills
-My full name is Jed Eric Dixon and is unique for one reason in particular. Can you figure it out?
-I am thankful every day for Wind, Water, and Light.
I look incredibly forward to sharing my whole self with all of you.
Look up! Jed
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