Question: Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology or intellectual heritage. Choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within in.
My Answer:
"Welcome to Camp Live, Laugh, Love"!
Honestly, when my mom dropped me off for the three-day children's bereavement camp, I had reservations and was less than thrilled. She thought the camp could help me to understand my feelings and develop healthy coping skills due to the loss, in the past 12 months, of my two grandmothers' to cancer, my great-grandmother, and our beloved family dog, Simba.
After meeting my Teen Buddy, Kendra, who was with me for the duration of the weekend, my reluctance of attending camp disappeared. Our family is close, and we openly talk about our feelings, but this felt different. I was able to see that other kids had suffered similar losses and that I wasn't alone in my grief.
Over the course of the weekend, I made friendships; laughed; cried; rock climbed; rode horses, made crafts; but most of all, I was given the tools and knowledge to cope with my loss in healthy ways, such as encouraging us to talk and ask questions; keeping a journal; and that it's okay to still have fun and laugh without feeling guilty.
Camp Live, Love, Laugh was so invaluable to me as a camper that I wanted to "pay it forward" but had to wait until I met their age requirements. I am honored to say this summer will be my second as a Teen Buddy. I can't think of anyplace I'd rather be on the last weekend of July than spending it with these special campers.
My Answer:
"Welcome to Camp Live, Laugh, Love"!
Honestly, when my mom dropped me off for the three-day children's bereavement camp, I had reservations and was less than thrilled. She thought the camp could help me to understand my feelings and develop healthy coping skills due to the loss, in the past 12 months, of my two grandmothers' to cancer, my great-grandmother, and our beloved family dog, Simba.
After meeting my Teen Buddy, Kendra, who was with me for the duration of the weekend, my reluctance of attending camp disappeared. Our family is close, and we openly talk about our feelings, but this felt different. I was able to see that other kids had suffered similar losses and that I wasn't alone in my grief.
Over the course of the weekend, I made friendships; laughed; cried; rock climbed; rode horses, made crafts; but most of all, I was given the tools and knowledge to cope with my loss in healthy ways, such as encouraging us to talk and ask questions; keeping a journal; and that it's okay to still have fun and laugh without feeling guilty.
Camp Live, Love, Laugh was so invaluable to me as a camper that I wanted to "pay it forward" but had to wait until I met their age requirements. I am honored to say this summer will be my second as a Teen Buddy. I can't think of anyplace I'd rather be on the last weekend of July than spending it with these special campers.
