CAMP CHOICE NEEDS YOU!!!
MY DREAM IS TO HAVE: children participating in a five day, experiential learning program called Camp Choice in Colorado – A program inspired and directed by another non-profit organization called PSI World. The purpose of Camp Choice is to empower youth to create positive change in themselves and their communities by realizing the power of choice, responsibility and their effectiveness as positive leaders.
Every summer for the last 10 years kids from different housing communities have set out on a 3-hour bus ride from the Hunter's Point area to the city of Clearlake Oaks in Lake County, California. There they are met by a group of volunteer counselors (coaches) at a multi-million dollar facility called High Valley Ranch. The Ranch is nestled between rolling hills furrowed with vineyards and sprawling, grassy meadows where wild deer, rabbits, coyotes and other wildlife share common ground with the domestic farm animals that are raised nearby. Many of the children have never been outside of the city in their short lives and are subtly shocked by the vast open space of nature at its best. The Ranch is maintained by a trained staff and is specifically designed to facilitate positive change in individuals of all ages and backgrounds; it provides a haven for the kid's safety and peace of mind. For a few days, The Ranch and the volunteers there make it possible for the kids to let down their guards and just be kids.
The 5-day camp begins with an introduction from the former President of Operation Dream and current Vice-President of PSI World, Kathy Quinlan-Perez. Ms. Quinlan-Perez plants the seeds of opportunity into the imaginations of the campers with an entertaining opening to the possibilities of the coming week. Excitement and intrigue ensue as Kathy, or one of the other 4 camp directors, describe events such as, "Trust-falls", "The Rock", "The High Vs", "Dream Boards", and the usual crowd favorite, "The Swimming Pool"!
During the week, the campers have the opportunity to work together as a team in every exercise and event. With the participants being from different neighborhoods, this is vital to the program's mission and continued success. As the children learn to work together to accomplish goals, they begin to form a bond that lasts even after they leave camp – a bond that can lead to lasting, positive friendships and support back home where it really counts. The exercises and lectures are designed around ropes courses that have been utilized in company training seminars, personal development classes, and leadership workshops and are specifically designed for goal setting in the participant's life. They get a chance to work on focus, trust, and commitment to go beyond what they believe they can do and in turn, create a lasting memory of success in their lives. The week is complete with many physical and mental challenges accompanied by creative outlets such as art projects portraying the goals they have set for themselves and even a talent show where the participants perform skits, songs and dances they have created with their new found friends and fellow campers.
With out a doubt, the campers have learned something new by the end of the week – about themselves, about other individuals, about the police officers who are supporting them every step of the way – they gain a larger vision of what possibilities lay ahead of them and an understanding of what responsible choices and teamwork can do in their lives. Last but not least, they have a really good time doing it! Almost every one of the participants desire to come back again and again. In fact, some of the campers who participated in the very first Camp Choice have now begun to return as volunteer staff, becoming an essential part of the program's success in recent years. Its results like these that make Camp Choice a committed source of community support and positive outreach.
Please support this dream. I am currently going to California to staff Camp Choice July 20-25. I will learn how is thi program is run and operated. I will bring that information back to Colorado and continute to work with the Department of Criminal Justice, Department of Corrections, Probation, Parole and the Judicial system to implement this dream here in Colorado. I am looking for your support to make that happen. Currently I must raise $1,000.00 dollars before I leave my personal goal is to raise $5,000.00 dollars. Please support me in anyway that you can. Checks should be made out ot to PSI World. Thanks for making this dream come true.
Sincerely,
Andrea M. Hall
For more information or a video contact Kathy Quinlan-Perez at 650-333-8251 (quinlan@psiseminars.com) or Andrea Hall 970-419-8234 (andrea@criminalliti8tor.com)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9W_22dqrD0Q&feature=related - 52k -
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