Staff Favorites: CQ Words

One of our favorite traditions at Pine Cove? Character Qualities! After spending a week or two with their campers, our counselors prayerfully consider God-given qualities they see in each of their campers. Then, the campers get to be encouraged with these qualities in front of their family and cabinmates! This also happens for each of our staffers as their leadership encourages them with specific qualities after the summer or at specific times throughout the year for our full-time team. CQ words are a special chance for someone you admire to speak life into who God created you to be! Campers and staffers alike love holding onto their CQ tokens and hanging them in their car, at their desks, or in their rooms. Enjoy learning about some of our staffers’ favorite times they were encouraged through CQ words! 

“I still have the Ebenezer hanging up in my car from summer 2022. My camp director, Taylor Gembol, gave me the word “Beloved.” He spoke truth into my heart about how loved I am by the Lord, him, and those around me. That was such a transformational CQ word I received because at the time, it was a virtue I did not see in myself—and the Lord used it to combat lies I believed about my identity in Christ!” – Parker “Boomer” Shinsky, Communications Project Coordinator

“Several years ago at a Pine Cove full-time staff retreat, everyone was given a cedar medallion by their manager that had two CQ words on it. One of the words I was given was “Reliable,” which: awesome. That is a great word! But my second word was “Party-In-A-Box,” which I have to say is still the most unique word I’ve ever heard as a Character Quality, even in my many years of service at Pine Cove. I love that I have such a fun, eye-catching word to my name, and it’s all thanks to my super creative manager at the time, Brad “Zoinks” Wofford. Still grateful to be recognized for my “Party-In-A-Box” spirit, Brad!” – Valerie “Ouch Potato” Morby, Social Media and Copy Manager

“I loved receiving the word “nurturing” from my women’s director, Joanna Benjamin! I didn’t see that in myself and in my mind she was the most nurturing woman of all time. For her to tell me she felt like I was nurturing to our campers, staff, but also her, meant so much!” – Chloe “Risk-It” McGrath, Towers Girls Camp Director 

“My favorite CQ word I’ve ever received was my last summer at the Towers as a camper back in 2007. My counselor, “Training Wheels,” said I was patient. That is honestly the last word I would use to describe myself! But now, in moments of chaos either at work, home, or wherever I am, I think about what my counselor saw in me that week. And I’ve gotten to reflect on it as I’m teaching my nephews about the Fruits of the Spirit, to be patient!” – Bri “Moon Boots” Reed, Registrar

“This is a fun CQ that I have on my desk! My team signed and gifted it to me in my first year at Pine Cove. This really blessed me and is something that I still have on my desk to this day!” – Breanne “Girl On Fire” Jacobs, CEO Office Director 

“I was given this garden pot ornament when I worked at the Woods on summer staff in 2003. The CQ words given to me were ‘Sincere’ and ‘Kind-Hearted.’’ – Daniel “Gigabyte” David,  Business Analyst

“One summer I received the word “Zealous” from Miranda “Treats” Simiyu. She was my Women’s Director at the time and was (and still is!) a friend I admired because of her joy and trust in the Lord. Growing up, I always had an outgoing personality that often felt annoying or like I was “too much.” As I got older and grew in my security in the Lord, I knew these were lies, but the enemy loved using them against me to shy away from being myself. When Miranda encouraged me with this quality, I felt so seen and known. She reminded me that God created me in His image, and this quality was a way He wanted to empower me to spread the Gospel!” – Karissa “Yikes” Pitaniello, Content Coordinator