Making a Difference: Ian’s Experience Leading the Summer Youth Camp

What is a Summer Youth Camp? 

Summer youth camp is an annual activity among the SOS community, organized to be implemented in the summer months. It goes way back to before I became part of the SOS CV Davao and has since not just become a culture and a tradition but also a point in the life of every youth in SOS. Generally, it aids the development of each young person in the village by engaging them in activities and events where they can learn a range of practical skills and knowledge. The camp trains young people to face real-life problems and provide realistic solutions. 

 Summer Youth Camp would not be complete without the campers orientation 

Leading the Summer Youth Camp for the First Time 

I am a part of the group that took the initiative in organizing this year's summer youth camp. Initially, I was a Facilitator, then promoted to Program Head. Together with other youth volunteers, I ensured that everything aspect of the camp was attended to and ready. 

Each volunteer assumed the role best fit for their skills and capabilities.  

The preparation for the camp, such as the guidebook-making, campers' orientation, and the facilitation and mentorship training, were great learning experiences for everyone involved in the activities. 

As for me, being the Program Head allowed me to connect with everyone, be it about their interests or things they wanted to improve for the benefit of the activity. I enjoyed preparing for the 2022 Summer Youth Camp along with my colleagues. 

The guidebook we prepared came in handy during team activities. 

While planning, we enjoyed brainstorming various ideas and agreed to implement them into the camp, such as (1) establishing a monetary system only applicable for the duration of the camp, (2) implementing the debriefing methods from the assigned facilitators with the assistance of the guidebook, and (3) conducting the activities during pre-camp and camp proper. Three days were allotted each for the pre-camp and camp proper. 

From Plans to Reality 

The pre-camp days were focused on sessions that elaborated on encouraging values to use in real-life experiences. Topics covered include mental health awareness, child safeguarding, youth participation, environmental awareness, and managing personal resources. 

My fellow youths unleashed their creativity during our environmental awareness activity 

The camp proper, held at the Sacred Heart Brothers, Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte, focused on applying the skills and lessons they learned during the sessions. 

Everyone practiced teamwork while coping with teammates, not just during group discussions but also with the team and individual activities. The facilitators and campers I had the chance to speak with shared that they gained a better understanding of other people and have learned to let go of their prejudices against others.  

As the participants were grouped, some stood out and exhibited the qualities of a good leader; their influence improved the team's overall performance. There were also instances where multiple leaders would emerge in a single group. In some cases, the leaders were in great synergy, but in other cases, conflicting directions led to miscommunication. When miscommunication happens, I remind the team of the lesson Daddy Bem Bem always tells us. We should not just talk; we must do our best to communicate. Daddy Bem Bem is our Village Director and father in the village.  

My Takeaways from the Camp 

Leading the camp was an opportunity for me to contribute to the development of my fellow youths. The responsibility was both exciting and daunting. Along the way, I experienced tremendous pressure. My commitment to implementing the activities was sorely tested, but I pressed on. And in the end, through the camp, I discovered that I am capable of many things beyond my imagination. 

Like our Youth Camp Director, Novy, said, "Summer Youth Camp 2022 is like a door for young people to see their worth, to see which field they belong to, and focus on self-development and self-love." 

We asked the participants their thoughts after each activity through short debriefings. The campers had been challenged and, simultaneously, had enjoyed the activities prepared for them. When asked how the tasks were, most of them told us that they were exhausted yet still fueled to continue because of the fun, excitement, and the feeling of accomplishment when engaging in the activities. 

We really appreciate the opportunity we had to exchange thoughts and enrich each other’s minds 

They had always amazed me, seeing how they moved forward whenever being presented with a challenge. The teams would always follow the values they upheld, particularly on prioritizing things as a need or a want. Moreover, the activities challenged their ability to practice constant teamwork and coordination, encouraged openness and freedom of expression, and highlighted the significance of each camper's role in the team. 

Furthermore, the youth facilitators and campers have imbibed with them the values and objectives of the youth camp beyond implementing, organizing, and joining each designed activity. Knowing this, there have been improvements, pledges, and reflections among the campers, which I, as the Youth Camp Program Head, look forward to witnessing in the village as they apply the lessons in their daily lives. Few have mentioned, "Not only can we do it, but we must do and apply the values and lessons we have learned from this camp in our actual and daily lives." 

My Dream for Future Youth Camps 

It is a blessing to witness these things, especially the development of my fellow youths inside the village. Through this youth camp, besides noticing the improvement of the said annual activity, innumerable possibilities can arise of what more it can be. 

To cap off our Summer Youth Camp, we took a group photo together with our Aunties and Uncles who helped make the camp a success! 

Perhaps in the next youth camp, it can be a fundraising event, where it can be a reality-show-like concept and invite people outside our community or even more, name it! With the persevering collective and collaborative efforts among the youth leaders, youth volunteers, and the coworkers, conducting the youth camp will not only become a certain point in a young person's life to just reminisce but a remarkable experience that inspires each camper to empower others–to bring positive impact starting in their communities and soon to the world! 

*Youth’s name changed to protect his privacy