Changing Lives
Sarah
Sarah came from a small school and was the only girl from her school going to Camp Colton. She was hesitant about being away from home for 4 days and 3 nights and worried about sleeping in a tent with strangers (not actual strangers, just 6th graders from other schools). Thanks in part to our newly designed first day which focuses on friendship skills and team- building, Sarah quickly spread her social wings. Through adventures, games, and challenges, students take turns being leaders and practice working together. During one activity on the first day, students, working in learning groups, have to rope swing across a pretend river (with an actual rope swing) and then use islands to get the group all back across. These learning groups stay together throughout the rest of the week. After plenty of laughter and conversations, Sarah became fast friends with many other campers and her apprehension quickly turned to enjoyment. The Camp staff appreciated that Sarah was an eager participant in all the lessons and kept a positive attitude the entire week. In particular, she loved working with her learning expedition group to explore forest health by measuring trees. On the last day, she approached Camp staff with her new friends from other schools looking for paper to exchange phone numbers. As a completely off-grid and rustic site, kids aren’t allowed to bring their phones or technology of any kind to Camp so things are old school! As Camp wrapped up for the week, they skipped off to the bus, already making plans about what they will do when they get to hang out. Sarah’s classroom teacher remarked on her positive transformation and her newly found confidence after just 4 days and 3 nights at Camp. The Forest Highlands Foundation made this program possible for kids with financial needs as a generous collaborator through our Arizona Community Foundation of Flagstaff grant last year. Holistic experiences in nature help children make discoveries about themselves and their world. By supporting this program, the Forest Highlands Foundation makes endless opportunities for learning and growth possible.
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Photo credit: Camp Colton
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