Cairn (kârn), noun

A collection of stones used to mark a path or event; typically on a hilltop or skyline. Found all over the world as a significant part of many cultures. Called an "ovoo" in Mongolia, "kummel" in Scandinavia, "kerkour" in North America.

PRONUNCIATION   one syllable with "air" in the middle.
ORIGIN late Middle English, Scottish Gaelic.

In the Bronze Age, Semitic peoples in the Middle East erected cairns called "masseba." Masseba mark sites of holy reverence and worship.

The Inuit in the Canadian Arctic build cairns called "inukshuit." An inukshuk signifies hope, safety, and friendship. This type of cairn is the basis for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games logo in Vancouver, Canada.

In modern times, hikers build cairns to mark trails to guide the way. This becomes particularly useful in higher elevations above the tree line where snow can completely cover a trail. Hikers traditionally add a stone to a cairn as they pass by or carry a stone up from the bottom of a mountain to place on a cairn at the top.

Many families today have begun a tradition of collecting rocks from prominent places in their journey. –From the site of a survived car crash, a wedding ceremony, or memorable lookout point. These rocks are then used to build a simple cairn serving as a powerful reminder for the family. Contact us for ideas in helping you start your own family cairn tradition.

Cairn Gallery. Email us your pictures of the cairns you've encountered around the world. We’ll post your image(s) in the Cairn Gallery. Be sure to include the following four items in your email:

1. Your name,
2. Cairn location,
3. Date of photo, and
4. A 20 word or less comment (if desired).

The LifeCairn Storytelling Experience

1. Illustrating The Journey. Using Discussion Artists^TM and Cinematographers, LifeCairn records the details of individual and organizational stories. Whether in a studio, private home, or around the world, we excel at asking the right questions and capturing beautiful imagery.
2. Crafting The Story. LifeCairn crafts a compelling short-form film with our Signature Story-Artistry^TM. We skillfully use visual treatments and sound design to create a work of art – an enduring legacy for friends, family, and constituents.
3. Impacting The World. A story is meant to be shared. LifeCairn provides five ways:
   • DVDs (from 1 to 1,000s) for friends, family, and constituents.
   • LifeCairn Community Online^TM library to easily experience all kinds of stories.
   • Your mobile device carrying your story anywhere, anytime.
   • The Telling Point to share your story regularly, with your webcam.
   • LifeCairn local gatherings (coming in the future): micro-communities of people gathering around fellowship and interest in the world around them. Personal journey films screened and discussed...

Our Logo

Our founding logo (shown at right) featured a path graphic reminiscent of the path of life – it becomes narrower and more arduous at times, but the views become greater.

Our new logo (shown at left) features two cairns and a human figure. The human figure, situated atop of "life" looking rightward, is taking pieces from life's journey to build the second cairn. The figure tenderly places the top piece (the dot of the "i") onto the second cairn in an act of marking life’s journey.

We're looking for a professional video piece to promote who we are. Why LifeCairn?

LifeCairn is the ideal fit for organizations & companies which are uniquely focused on adding meaning to people's lives. You don’t want a "production studio" myopically focused on tools & techniques. Instead, you need a company which values the people you serve and intimately understands your mission.

We don't do any and every kind of video work so that we can be the best at telling stories that connect with people at the heart level. The fact that our mission includes individual storytelling is a tremendous asset to you. Our storytelling style remains balanced between:

• Professional – representing your organization in a well-branded, pleasing manner, and
• Personal – connecting with the hearts and minds of those you serve.

Come to LifeCairn for expertise in imaginatively crafting a company story that is a compelling, promotional, and personal tool. What could be better than LifeCairn Storytelling that compels viewers to think new things and feel passionate about your values?

Your company name is so different. Why is that?

Once you understand the breadth and depth of the cairn concept, you truly understand who we are. We're about transforming your story into a beacon in a world saturated with tasks, events, and messages. Families have less time around the dinner table to share the family story. Organizations face a bewildering amount of competition for people’s attention. But, a cairn rises above the landscape to bring meaning and understanding. Learn more about Cairns .

What is the production and post-production process like?

After having heard your organization's story and goals, we take on the leadership role. We develop a clear vision and an organized plan. We find the important story-points that will connect best with your viewers. We cinematically shoot footage worldwide (in HD). We deliver an artistic, personal product via the internet and DVD (including print packaging).

Our style is organic and artistic. We want your story to feel personal and real to the viewer. It should represent the spirit of what you’re about. As a result, we make sure that our plans always remain flexible so that the story naturally unfolds and tells itself.

What types of organizational stories do you tell?

We only tell organizational stories that impact the journey of life in some way. LifeCairn is uniquely situated for adoption agencies, retirement communities, and non-profit organizations. (Is your industry a great fit as well?).

Some of our clients include:

• World Vision- (Seattle, WA).
• Reach Out Youth Solutions- (Atlanta, GA).
• Leadership Design Group- (Denver, CO).
• To experience additional organizational stories, click on the Organizations Enriching Life category in the LifeCairn Community Online^TM.

Consider:

• A milestone story celebrating the company anniversary.
• A fundraising DVD for non-profit.
• A promotional spot highlighting a service or value.
• A broadcast documentary raising awareness.

What can LifeCairn do to build morale and community within my organization?

Sometimes, the best fit for LifeCairn and your organization is simply our individual storytelling for your employees and volunteers. Consider gifting the LifeCairn Storytelling Experience as an endearing form of thanks or year-end bonus. Then, a company gathering centered around employees sharing their personal stories can become a powerful team-building event. We can help you facilitate this.

I'm interested in telling a personal story, but I have no idea where to start. What should I do?

Everyone has a life full of important stories worth commemorating and passing on. Sometimes this is hard to see for yourself. But fortunately, you only need to have lived the story; we’ll do the rest. Our Discussion Artists^TM help you talk about your experience and our Storytelling Artists determine how to craft the film to fit your journey.

We'd love the chance to talk to you about your journey and help point out some important story-lines. You might also ask a spouse, a friend, or a child what they find most important about who you are.

Consider:

• A story that looks at each life decade.
• A story about a family reunion.
• A story about an accomplishment.
• Sometimes, the best story is simply a poignant period in life that needs to be commemorated (i.e. coming out of a depression or gaining a new perspective).

Visit the LifeCairn Community Online^TM and experience the stories of others.

So many of my life's stories exist in the plethora of photography in my 'closet.' Can LifeCairn Storytelling include any of this?

We are first and foremost about helping you process, record, and cherish your story. Our Discussion Sittings^TM are an invaluable part of this process. However, your story will take on an extra measure of meaning when we can incorporate your own photography. We can use everything from 8mm film to videotapes to slides and digital pictures.

What is your Forever Archived/Forever Upgraded Guarantee?

Your story is important and we don't want it to fall by the wayside. As a result, we carefully archive three separate masters of every story we produce. Should you ever need a copy for any reason, we’ve got it. We also promise to keep up with ever-changing technology. Once an old technology begins to fade away and a new one takes root (like the upcoming Blu-ray DVD), we’ll upgrade your story to the new technology.