Tag Archives: camp show

Why to Love 3-Day Camp with Coach Gayla

The 3-Day camp is an experience like no other. Imagine a slumber party with hundreds of your favorite people, complete with dance party, delicious food, games and shopping…all under the stars. It’s a fun time to say the least! Our walkers in Seattle, Dallas/Fort Worth and San Diego will get to experience that magic first-hand this year. If you’re a first-time camper, Coach Gayla is here to get you excited for that experience. There is so much to love about the 3-Day camp, and she’s breaking it all down for you…

  1. First and foremost, tent camping gives you the extra excuse to ask for a large donation as you are fundraising! You’re giving up your comfy bed for two nights. A big commitment deserves a big donation. Just remind potential donors that you’ll be showering in a semi-truck, and that should motivate them to support your goals ?
  2. The camp environment gives you a chance to do something different than what we do at home every day. I mean, other than the 3-Day, when was the last time you went camping?!

  1. At camp, you’ll have access to the dining hall, camp lounge, massages and Remembrance Tent, all within a short distance of your tent. It also makes it easy to be right on hand at the finish line to cheer other walkers in! I love this part, and it’s something my pals from Team STEPS (Hi Dana and Sheryl!) brought up when I talked with them about this, too.
  2. You can easily meet new friends as you wander around camp. Sheryl and Dana summed it up perfectly, saying, “Even a trip to the port-o-potty or shower will often provide a smiling face on the way, a high five with a 3-Day legend, an opportunity to thank a volunteer, or a special random act of kindness.” We love making those connections!
  3. Picture yourself sitting in the entry of your tent at the end of the day reading your camp mail, rehydrating, and waving and smiling as people come in from the walk route. There’s nothing like that feeling of accomplishment!
  4. The joy and inspiration of the 3-Day is heightened by having just the sounds of nature and your 3-Day family around you. No sounds of TV, or doors creating barriers between you and all the fun!

  1. In general, camaraderie is at an all-time high when hanging out with your friends in and around your tents. You can even personally check in on all your tentmates before you turn in for the night…just by giving them a holler!
  2. Then, as the night goes on, and you’re all cozy in your sleeping bag, you really will appreciate the great outdoors where you can see the stars at night and breathe in the fresh air. You become one with nature.
  3. It really helps you escape the daily grind of life and decompress – no phones, tv, radio. It will do your mind some good! As Sheryl and Dana said, “you get to unplug and be perfectly present in the moment.” It will give you time and space to truly appreciate the 3-Day in a whole new way.
  4. And then, sitting in your tent as the sun comes up and a new day begins…it’s just so exciting and inspiring. Plus, Sheryl and Dana reminded me about “waking up to the smell of coffee and bacon,” which is never a bad thing.

Bonus! Remember, it’s GLAMPING, not really CAMPING after all ?

What else do you love about the 3-Day camp experience? Tell us in the comments!

Meet Your New Seattle 3-Day Coach

Now coming to the stage, your new Seattle 3-Day Coach… Aubrey Zoli!

If you haven’t yet met our new Seattle 3-Day coach, we are honored to introduce you to Aubrey. She first worked for the 3-Day as a coach in Michigan all the way back in 2004, and we are so excited to have her back on our team!

As she currently makes Seattle her home, our West Coast 3-Dayers are going to be seeing a lot more of Aubrey as she ignites new passion, enthusiasm and maybe even some song into the Seattle walk this year. She still remembers experiencing Seattle’s Closing Ceremony in Memorial Stadium back in 2007 and can’t wait to see all of you salute the end of your 60-mile journey this year as well. She will be with you every step of the way.

But before you begin walking, let’s get to know Aubrey a little better…

What made you want to be so involved in the 3-Day?

I have always been passionate about working with non-profits and was excited at the chance to be a part of something that was so life changing. That first season, inspired by the hundreds of walkers I was personally supporting, I signed up to walk in San Diego. I trained and fundraised right alongside each of them. It was so hard! But I was so glad I was able to experience the event from that perspective. It gave me a greater level of understanding and appreciation for the participants and I felt I was able to better serve them as a coach. My own mother is a breast cancer survivor and it felt great to be able to do something to honor her. Fast forward 10 years and my aunt would also be diagnosed. I am now the daughter and niece of two incredible survivors, so I have a very personal connection to the cause.

How did you find your way to the job as a 3-Day coach this fall?

After taking several years away to focus on being a musician and exploring a job in early childhood education, a friend and long-time 3-Day participant told me that they were looking for a Seattle 3-Day coach. It was perfect timing as I had been looking to get back into the world of events but always had such high expectations of what I wanted. I was excited to come back and work for this event again and reconnect with the community. I love working for the 3-Day!

What are you most excited for this year?

I am looking forward to re-engaging our community and working hard to get the 3-Day out there to as many new people as possible. I know this event means so much to so many people and I’m excited to get out into the community and talk to more people about how incredible this the 3-Day is. I’m also happy to reconnect with some of the long-time participants I haven’t seen since I left back in 2010. So much has changed, but it so many ways, it feels like picking up right where I left off.

What are some of your top training tips?

Break in your shoes! Don’t get a new pair of shoes and wear them the first time on the event. Ouch! Also, bring an extra pair of shoes (broken in as well). If it rains or your feet swell, it’s good to have a second pair. I bought one set that were my regular size and a second pair that was a wide. On day two I couldn’t get my swollen feet into my regular shoes, so I was happy to have the second pair.

Don’t wear cotton! Invest in good socks. I love the double layer kind.

Body glide is your friend. Use it. Love it.

Most importantly, HAVE FUN! If you don’t walk every step of the 60 miles, it’s totally OK! I didn’t! I trained super hard and still my knee swelled up on the second day and I took a sweep van at mile 17 (it was a 22-mile day). I got to shower first, with no line, and cheer in the other walkers. There is no shame in the sweep!

What are some fundraising resources 3-Dayers have?

You have so many resources at your disposal! I have never, and I mean never, had a walker tell me they couldn’t reach their fundraising minimum when they tried. The ones who didn’t reach their minimum told me they didn’t do anything to fundraise. Money won’t magically appear in your account. You have to ask!

Your biggest resource is ME (Check me out on Facebook Live!) Use me! Ask questions. Also, use your team! Being a part of a team is a great way to brainstorm ideas. The fundraising section of the website has a slew of resources including “How to raise $2,300 in 1 Month,” “101 Fundraising Ideas” and “A Step by Step Check List.”

And now that you can set up a Facebook Fundraiser to raise money for the 3-Day, it’s made fundraising even easier. I recently had a walker reach her minimum in under a WEEK just using a Facebook Fundraiser.

In 2019, we are asking people to #COMMIT3DAYS …What does commitment mean to you?

Committing to something is to not give up – even when it’s difficult. When I commit to something, I do it fully. Sure, there may be bumps along the way, but continuing to reach that goal despite the complications is what makes the reward at the end so sweet.

What is something 3-Dayers might not know about you?

I’m in a band! I am a singer/songwriter and have been writing songs since I was 6 years old. For the past 8 years I have been a member of the soulful-American duo The Local Strangers. In 2019 we are releasing our third full length studio album and I can’t wait! Back in 2012 my band-mate and I had the privilege of coming to the 3-Day and we performed in camp. That was a fun way to blend my two worlds. ?

Congratulations to the 2018 San Diego 3-Day Milestone Award Winner, Sue Cloonan

Sue Cloonan_SD Milestone Award Winner

Please join us in congratulating our 2018 San Diego Milestone Award Winner; Sue Cloonan! The Susan G. Komen 3-Day® Milestone Award is given at each event to a walker or crew member who has an outstanding history of participation in the Komen 3-Day. At the San Diego 3-Day camp show, we presented Sue with this special honor.

Our coaching team was so excited to present this award to Sue, who has maintained a position as a top 10 fundraiser for many years as part of her team, Walking and Wine-ing. She is such an important and beloved part of our 3-Day community, and has raised $153,349 over the course of her 10 events!

Her Aunt Patty says that Sue “is a family oriented person who puts herself out over and over again to help family and friends. A wonderful daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, niece and friend – we are so lucky to have her in our family. She inspires me and others by her example.”

We then talked to Sue herself, who gave us an inside peak into her love for the 3-Day…

What was your inspiration to do your first 3-Day??

All the people that I’ve met at the golf course where I worked to help find a cure. So many people affected by cancer.

What has brought you back to the 3-Day year after year?

The 3 day is the way the world should be!!!! Everyone supporting everyone!

What is the secret to your 3-Day fundraising success?

An amazing support from my customers, vendors and associates! All donating and supporting for the cause. My event became the event of the year. The spirit, dedication: all for a cause

What is your best advice to anyone walking the 3-Day?

Commit to 2 walks . The first one is amazing and then it becomes more amazing every year.

What’s a fun fact about you? 

I love to give hugs and listen to people!!! And I love wine (red especially)

What are the most important lessons you’ve learned on the 3-Day?  

ENJOY Every moment! All the supporters, walkers, volunteers.