Helping in Other Ways

Grand Canyon Chapter Encourages Leadership, Safety and Camaraderie at Camp

Campers showed off their individual and group talents at the International Talent Show. This group is reenacting the bonfire.

Written by Jessica Bernstein, Redcross.org

On a bright Sunday afternoon in July, 90 campers clamored off of buses and out of cars, trucks and vans to begin the first Youth Leadership and Safety Camp sponsored by the American Red Cross Grand Canyon Chapter and the Phelps Dodge Foundation. During this six-day program, campers ages 15-18 lived in groups of ten that were referred to as families. Each camp family included two volunteer counselors.

Campers attended CPR and first aid classes, developed leadership skills and participated in team-building activities. They began the week as strangers from different schools, different neighborhoods and different cultures and parted as members of a large family. Not only did they learn how to save lives, affirm the importance of volunteerism and brainstorm about how they could make their communities better places, they also learned about each other. They discussed sensitive issues including diversity, tolerance, family experiences, peer pressure and prejudices. Team-building activities with names such as Boundary Breaking, Masks and Amazon Adventure fostered cooperation and initiative and helped campers bond by appreciating their similarities and differences.

Campers had plenty of time for fun, too. Playing basketball, swimming, performing skits and singing around a roaring bonfire were just some of the traditional activities campers enjoyed. Wednesday night brought more wackiness as the campers strutted their stuff in an International Talent Show, and Thursday evening was spent dancing the night away at the camp luau.

Enjoying a light moment at the Youth Leadership and Safety Camp, campers challenged counselors to "shave" balloons without popping them.

Friday brought tears and reflection as the campers said good-bye. Campers and counselors came away with a new outlook, inspired and motivated to affect change in their communities. Many of the participants have continued to be involved with the Red Cross, assisting with the disaster response after the Sept. 11 attacks. One counselor who had never volunteered before is on the Camp Planning Committee for next year; another has recently been certified as a first responder.

Jennifer Liewer, communication specialist at the chapter, attended the camp and describes the transformation over the course of the week. "Every night before we went to bed, we would hold hands and join in a big circle. The participants were asked what their feelings were about the day. On the first evening, nobody spoke. One camp counselor talked a little about the excitement of getting to know everyone but for the most part everyone just stared across at each other. On the last night of camp, the closing circle lasted for two hours. Every camper shared a story and some even spoke two or three times. They talked about how accepted they felt - about the friends they had made and how they viewed the world differently now. Two campers were Sudanese refugees (they had been pretty quiet until that point), and they shared stories about their homeland and how the camp had changed them. It was incredible; I had never seen anything like it before. These kids were so accepting of each other and ready to go home and make their communities better places. It was a very powerful night."

Liewer notes that in addition the changes she saw in the participants, one of the most meaningful testimonials came in the following letter from a grateful mother.

I want to thank you for the good work you did at the Red Cross Leadership and Safety Camp in Prescott. My son attended and he returned a changed boy - changed for the better. It was the first happy camp experience he ever had in his life. His heart was full and he was inspired to make positive changes in our community, including volunteering at the Red Cross. He went on and on about how great the counselors were and the wonderful exercises and games, about all he learned, the friends he'd made, and about how he'd have memories he would cherish forever. The optimistic atmosphere in the camp went fathoms deep in healing old psychological wounds within him, as well. He speaks more maturely, he believes in himself, and he is kinder to everyone and everything around him. His happiness made me cry with joy! I commend you and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

For more information about the Grand Canyon Chapter or about this Youth Leadership and Safety Camp, call 1-800-842-7349.

Visit this chapter's Web site.

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