FRESH AIR FUND
Kids at Camp Mini-Yo-We get hands-on lessons about leadership while having the time of their lives,
HUNTSVILLE, ONT.— They’d been roughing it in the backwoods of Muskoka, canoeing, portaging, charring meals over open fires and learning to survive.
Along the way, they got to know and rely on each other as members of a team. They learned about themselves as they reflected on who they are and where they’re going, and it all happened spontaneously, while they were having fun.
It was a bonding experience that can’t be matched for longtime pals Allie Falle and Jackson Wright, both 16, who were among a group of young people in the month-long leader-intraining program at Camp Mini-YoWe, where faith, fellowship, leadership and personal growth are as much a focus as fun and games, acquiring new skills and outdoor adventures.
The leadership program at the Christian camp aims to teach teens from the ground up about what happens behind the scenes at camp as they work in the kitchen, as well as about survival skills and being good role models — hands on, all the way.
It’s the best way for the teens, both of whom are longtime Mini-Yo-We campers and are moving up the ladder. They plan to be on staff and become the kinds of role models their counsellors have been for them, reaching out to make a difference in the lives of others.
Allie has been coming to Mini-YoWe for 11 years. It’s where she can be herself and have a good time, where she can “do crazy stuff and get dirty doing a variety of activities,” she said.
“Mini-Yo-We has a lot of character and builds character,” she said. “Being here has influenced my life in many ways. I just love it here.”
She said camp has strengthened her faith and helped her form strong friendships; Jackson is one of those fast friends.
Both want to be the kind of counsellors who make camp unforgettable for the children they’ll be responsible for when it’s their time.
“Counsellors are always working to make camp better,” said Jackson, who is carrying on a family tradition at Camp Mini-Yo-We. His parents met at camp and he said he has “grown some very deep roots here.” When he first came to camp as a child, he said, he wasn’t very outgoing. That’s all changed over the years. “I learned to connect here . . . I don’t think I would be the person I am today if not for Camp Mini-YoWe.” Though they’re like peas in a pod, the teens are also as different as day and night — she’s an extrovert and he’s not; she likes grilled cheese sandwiches and he’s all about roast beef dinners with all the fixings. But they both agree on the sugar cookies, and on the fact that camp is the great equalizer, a place where kids are free to be themselves. It’s why they miss it as soon as they leave. “I miss the people and the feeling of safety being here,” said Allie. “It’s stress-free,” added Jackson. “I don’t know how to describe it . . . maybe it’s something in the water,” added Allie, as they both laughed and headed off to float down the rocky rapids. If you have benefitted from the Fresh Air Fund or have a story to tell, email lferenc@thestar.ca or phone 416-869-4309.