Young people get ‘fearless’ lessons at camp
Campers and the Fearless Xtreme crew
(CNS): A group of young people has just completed a two-week camp that focused on encouraging them to spend their summer break in positive ways and make the right choices on important issues. The Cayman Islands Youth Development Consortium’s Leadership and Prevention camp – Fearless Xtreme – which targeted children aged 7-14, also presented information and tools to prepare the young people for their return to school.
Campers attended general sessions on issues such as violence, teen pregnancy and substance abuse run by Simon Miller, the National Drug Council’s prevention officer.
In addition, a team of voluntary camp counsellors, with qualifications in teaching and counselling, used Josh McDowell’s “Setting You Free to Make Right Choices” workbook and leaders guide to teach the campers how to determine right from wrong.
The youngsters were encouraged to apply the “right from wrong” message to their lives. They were placed in small groups and one-on-one settings that reinforced the information presented in the general sessions.
They were also introduced to developmental assets as a tool to help them succeed. They had an opportunity to assess themselves according to these assets to determine the areas in which they need to improve at home, school and the community. Guest presenters, who focused on specific assets, included Rotaract members talking about service to others and musician Eden Hurlston discussing the importance of following your passion.
The campers took part in team-building exercises where they produced posters, drama, dance and rap on the topics and themes to which they were introduced. This year they helped to create an asset village depicting the assets that help them to succeed, and prepared for a closing programme attended by their parents and other family members.
One camper took the initiative to create an inspirational drawing after the session on the support asset category, and presented it to the other campers the following day. Another young person wrote a rap for his team, and one even composed music inspired by Fearless Xtreme, which he played on the piano at the closing programme.
Field trips included the National Trust George Town walking tour, and visits to the Mission House, the Cayman Islands National Museum, Pedro Castle and Dolphin Cove.
The major sponsors of the camp were the Ministry of Education, Employment and Gender Affairs; the Ministry of Community Affairs, Youth and Sports; Cayman National; Queensgate; and CIBC.
