With summer just around the bend, local youth will soon be swapping books and pencils for skateboards and suntan lotion.
Others, however, will turn their time off into time well-spent in programs like Me to We’s Take Action Academy.
Held at Mount Allison University for a week in July, Take Action is not your typical summer camp. Instead of perfecting their belly flops or capture-the-flag tactics, participants will explore social challenges and receive the tools they need to become future leaders. In place of arts and crafts, these campers will take home action plans to help them impact their communities for the better.
Jacob Hamilton knows first-hand how much influence Take Action Academy can have on a young camper.
“Academy made me want to make a difference, to inspire others and be the best person that I can be,” says Hamilton, a participant from last year’s camp at Mount A.
Hamilton, a 17-year-old from Cole Harbour, N.S., says the camp has provided him with a different view of the world.
“I think before I act and think about the consequences that others face due to my actions,” he says. “Academy has helped me to start to reach my full potential as a youth and has taught me how to improve my skills and mindset. Academy was life changing for me and made me a happier and more determined youth.”
Me to We's Take Action academies are week-long, social justice-themed summer camps, where participants ranging in age from nine to 21 develop the leadership skills they need to create positive change. Their training takes a variety of forms, from dynamic team activities to workshops with social activists.
Over the course of their academy experience, participants will delve deep into important social issues, build their leadership skills, get tips on public speaking, volunteer at local organizations in need, and get hands-on mentorship from expert leadership facilitators.
Hamilton says campers last year participated in a variety of activities, aimed at improving the youths’ leadership skills, while also teaching them how to motivate others and how to inspire youth to do amazing things and “be the change.”
“We learned about various parts of the world and became aware of their various living conditions by listening to public speakers and doing informational activities. We also went out on a ‘volunteering day’ in Sackville to help out various local venues,” he says.
The participants helped out at Live Bait Theatre as well as the local community garden.
“It was great to see the results of our hard work in both venues. This experience was interesting because it showed me how much needs to be done in our own communities. It made me think that you don't need to do large events, as little ones can still make a big difference.”
The entire experience, says Hamilton, was incredible.
“The bonds that were created between us and the enthusiasm that everyone showed was surreal.”
Hamilton says Take Action Academy, although a different experience for each camper, will certainly help broaden young minds and their view of the world.
“We live in a very isolated area and we sometimes do not feel the consequences of our actions. The consequences are felt by youth and adults just like us. Some of these consequences can be deadly and the youth of today need to face the facts and do their part to change the world.”
He points out that if every youth in today’s western culture were to take one action to “be the change" in the world, “we would have a sustainable solution to many of the problems our environment, society, and undeveloped countries face.”
“Youth need to understand that every video game they play, every electronic they buy, that most things we do in western society in fact, have a negative effect on innocent people throughout the world. They also need to understand that they have the power to change the world. All they have to do is make one small change.”
Me to We Take Action Academy, which supports Free The Children's work at home and abroad, will be held from July 5-9 in Sackville. For more information, call 416-964-8942 (ext. 103), or e-mail academy@metowe.com or visit www.metowe.com.
