I did not grow up loving the outdoors. It wasn’t until meeting Proeun and having my children that I discovered the amazing restorative power of being outdoors. It is an incredibly amazing thing to dream a dream, work hard for it and achieve it even when it often seemed impossible. It is also amazing to push yourself. That is how we feel about our farm. A year and a half after our move it still feels new to us. But what is even more amazing about having one dream come true is it gives you faith to move on, to dream more and know that it is possible.
I am still on some community forums from our old neighborhood in St. Paul. Recently there has been much talk about senseless crimes, including murders perpetrated by youth. I think the missing component in these youth’s lives is dreams and the belief that hard work will bring them to reality.
But Youthcare knows how to give young people dreams and the ability to achieve them. Camp Sunrise has been bringing campers to our farm throughout the summer. It is great to meet all the young people and work alongside them, but we didn’t really get a chance to see what it was all about until Visitor’s Day.
The camp alternates between boy’s and girl’s week. The youth are often from the inner city and spend a whole week living in tents and pushing themselves. Including a canoe trip for 3 days! Honestly it would push me to the limits and once I visited I was really more impressed.
It was leader week where some of the summer’s campers were invited back for extra fun and leadership training.
While camping the youth get up close and personal with the river. Here they share about how to ensure high water quality for years to come.
Tents the youth stay in.
Family and friends gather to celebrate the summer with campers.
Keep up the great work Camp Sunrise, giving kids dreams and the skills and confidence to achieve them! Look forward to next year.