Create POST # 1: What did you do this summer and how can what you did this summer be connected to an important issue? This post should be at least one paragraph in length.
This summer I was a Camp Councilor at a summer camp. I was assigned to a group of ten 12-year-old boys. For a month, I taught them skills such as canoeing, swimming, archery, nature, etc.. We all lived together with another councilor. This taught the boys to get along with other, patience, friendship and confidence. I feel this related to the issue of crime in big cities. Since all the boys are from Toronto, I feel that everything they learned at camp will contribute to the decrease of youth drug use, crime and other issues that happen in the city. Since these boys now know compassion and patience, they will be able to get along with people a lot better and will be confident in what they do. This will most likely keep them away form gangs, and keep them out of fights; decreasing youth issues in urban environments.
interesting article, sounds like you have a good summer! I find that camps (especially up north) are a very good way to unwind and take a different perspective at looking at life. I can 100% relate to what you're saying, and can only hope that those 12 boys take after the best role model they could have...hope I flattered you there.
ReplyDeleteHey Colin, I like the perspective you took on this topic. Teen drug abuse is a very big issue especially in big cities because most kids don't have the skills to communicate with others. And I agree completely with you that the life skills learned from camp can help with this problem. One of the most important things which I also think camp teaches is skills to live on your own, which also relates to teens in many ways as more people fall below the poverty line. Nice Article
ReplyDeleteCamp can be a great escape for youth at risk. It also introduces them to environmental stewardship and character building. Which summer camp did you work for?
ReplyDeleteAs you probably know I was also a councilor at a summer camp this summer. Like you I truly believe that lessons and values kids learn at camp can translate to the real world. Camp taught me to have confidence in myself and to not judge others on “weird” or “unnatural” traits or behaviors. This is due to the fact that camp is a safe environment where a kid can actually be themselves. There’s much less social pressure from friends so you can as cheesy as it sounds find your true self.
ReplyDeleteThis is probably why we see some charities in our society devoted to sending underprivileged kids to summer camp. No place on Earth can create an experience quite like a summer camp. Kids would learn how to live with other people and about how all your actions have an effect on others. It teaches kids to live in a community which would act directly against the possibility of crime. Like you I firmly believe that if more kids went to camp we would see noticeable declines in youth crime rates in cities.