Returned from a truly interesting 6 week Unitown camp, taking 21 assorted high school students, 3 of which were counselors (last year grads). The essence of the camp is training for leadership in diversity (race, creed, sexuality, and the breaking of stereotypes). A truly powerful, life changing discourse taken on by the students. The counselors lead and we as advisors step back to facilitate where needed.
I heard many deep shares and in the end saw a coming together of 92 students as one embracing, loving body who are willing to stand together and make an impact on their community. Students talked about everything they could only whisper about in their heads, they became aware of how many others felt the same way, thought the same thoughts, and felt validated at the deepest level. We heard about students who had contemplated suicide, who felt there was no choice, no voice, and finally could be heard.
Students created thoughtful poems, songs, and shared them in closure during the last two nights; they created skits, role plays, posters for soulful expression. They celebrated each other, cried, laughed, and mourned their last moment together.
The cost maybe $50,000 for the District, the impact on each of their lives and their immediate community, its future so grand and such a gift to the world, we are blessed to have such a program.
Confronting themselves, their stories, their past so they could set it aside and heal - so forgiving, getting past the abuse by self and others. Transformation at its best and captured at such a young age. Students began as insular, self-protective beings and walked away with love as an expression for everyone.
This is why I teach; I am a stand that everyone sees how truly great they are and who they are as gift.
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