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It's one of my favorite times of year again! I just returned from Conejo Valley YMCA Camp Oakhurst Resident Camp. This year was unique, knowing that it could possibly be our last program year at Camp Oakhurst, the place we have called home for the last then years. This year I worked with the LIT staff again, which is incredibly rewarding. We immersed ourselves quickly into a fun filled week. One of my favorite parts about camp is our Rag/ Leather Program. Since working with the LITs, I currently only spend the week counseling with them which because of age they participate in the Rag Program. For over 96 years, the YMCA Rag/Leather Program has been an effective tool in promoting one on one counseling and personal growth. The program is designed to help people take a closer look at themselves in relationship to their own strengths and weaknesses, religious beliefs and relationships that surround them. It provides an opportunity to promote positive growth. YMCA's use the Rag / Leather Program as a tool to encourage quality time between staff and members, counselors and campers. Growth in spirit, mind and body is incorporated into the program. This program also follows in line with what YMCA's strive to accomplish through their mission. Each Rag and Leather has a specific challenge and is accompanied by a personal goal developed by the individual. Participation in the program is enhanced by the use of tradition, resource materials and one-on-one sharing sessions. Through the generosity of the C.J., Carrie D. and R. Howard Walker Foundation training in and facilitation of the YMCA Rag/Leather Program in the U.S. has been made possible. I think the Rag Program is one of the most rewarding and powerful programs that I have been able to witness change people's lives. It's neat to think how a simple piece of fabric can have so much meaning. I currently have my Red Rag which promotes the goal of : sacrifice or time, talent, and personal will. I have had this goal for the last five years. Time and talent come easy to most including myself, but it is the sacrifice of personal will that becomes so hard. I strive everyday to sacrifice that personal will of mine, but in the process of doing so it's a challenge and a journey. My Red Rag and I have a love/hate relationship.
This year's LIT (Leaders In Training) group, were rock stars. Our returners made a huge impact with their growth and maturity over the last year. Our first years, were rock stars that jumped head first into the program. Together them were great leaders within the group and for the rest of the camp. They will all be amazing counselors and I am honored that I got to work with them again. The activities we engaged in during the wee were touch. They encouraged and pushed them to really be honest, open, and positive. We had discussions about the people we were and who we wanted to be, tough personal life situations were shared, and most importantly through all of this they built friendships and bonds that were incredible.I enjoy this week so much because I have had the chance to work with all the age groups in camp. It's neat to watch the campers grow in one week. Even though I worked with the LITs, I still had the chance to get to know the other campers and that's always fun. Week activities included; campfires, chapels, swimming, archery, mountain bikes, ropes courses, lip sync, synchronized swimming, boat races, hikes, wood work, arts and crafts, dress up days, dances, and most importantly character and group building activities. I was sad to end the week, but just as us volunteers like to say, our calendar year is August to August. I am already counting down the days til Resident Camp 2012!
