Daring ToHope

 

I looked around the circle of eight adolescents and one young adult, my ‘working group’ and co-leader, a week ago. They looked back at me and I thought “This can go very well or it can go badly.” I didn’t think that it would be just an ok experience. I hadn’t worked with youth in decades and that intimidated me. In truth I acknowledge my own prejudice that these might be loud and belligerent teenagers.

 

I had joined this camp outside Bancroft, Ontario because it was called “Camp Micah”. I love the prophet Micah. I love his message of peace, justice, and right relationship with God and man. This camp means to train a new generation of leaders in peace, social justice and care for the environment. Micah never thought of the need for the latter but surely he would agree were he alive today.

 

When we had our introductory ‘go around’ I told them that I was discouraged and disappointed in my own generation. I wanted to explore their interest in activism.

 

Back in May my friend and colleague, the Basilian Father Bob Holmes, “Hobo”, drew me in and referred me to Dwyer Sullivan, the camp director. I bargained with Dwyer, intending only to offer ‘FrontRunners’, the DVD and discussion program about the Indian residential school experience, and the ‘Blanket Exercise’, an interactive group activity about the effect of colonization on the indigenous people of North America. I’d intended to drop in to the camp and give the programs over one or two days then leave. Dwyer talked me into offering both programs and helping to lead a group of eight or nine adolescents over five days.

 

I got home two days ago and I’m still recovering from exhaustion. But I’ll do it again.

 

Paula Sherman and Mireille Lapointe, co-chiefs of the Algonquins of Ardoch, spoke to the camp around a fire opening night. They tied together care for Creation, harmony among peoples and food for all as they welcomed us to their ancestral land.

 

Over the next four days we played the XY game, which examines cooperation, trust and greed among group members. We played the City Game which forces participants to examine how they respond to directions from an autocrat. We took part in a Rich Man and Poor Man lunch which simulates the conditions and foods for three impoverished, working class, and wealthy people in the world. Two dyads of women read powerful scripts about the lives of women, young and old, in privileged countries and in poor and war ravaged ones. Other presenters showed slides and told stories about volunteer programs for youth in Central and South America and Africa (One World and Enlace). Hobo showed part two of the series “A Force More Powerful”, focusing on the sit-ins in Nashville that desegregated the lunch counters and department stores in the American south in the ‘60’s. He showed slides and I joined him in commentary on the work of Christian Peacemaker Teams –Aboriginal Justice Team. And there was more! But I’ll stop here; you get the idea.

 

In our working groups we discussed feelings and thoughts about all these powerful experiences and considered what qualities a leader demonstrates. Every morning we worshipped and had time for spiritual reflection.

 

It wasn’t only work. We swam, kayaked, canoed, sailed, rode mountain bikes and climbed a wall every day, thanks to the skilled supervision of Cedar Ridge staff. We held a dance and fantastic talent show with many skilled musicians, singers, and dancers.

 

Near camp’s end Jim Loney gave a moving reflection about one incident of his captivity in Baghdad. You could have heard a pin drop when he finished.

    

I want to make this wonderful camp grow and I need your help in two ways.

 

One, Camp Micah needs financial support. If you are a member of a union, church congregation, or a supportive individual, will you make a donation or scholarship to Camp Micah so that more youth can attend? For your information I and many older adult leaders donated our time while college and university student leaders may receive a small honorarium for their hard work.

 

Two, our dream is that Camp Micah becomes truly ecumenical in participation.   Participants have come mainly from the Roman Catholic church. As parents, youth leaders, ministers, and high school teachers will you help high school students from the United Church (my denomination) and other denominations who show interest in peace, justice, and environmental concerns and have leadership potential (broadly interpreted)  to attend this camp? We are looking for students in grades ten to twelve.

 

Finally, I want to thank the members of my working group for the respect and caring they showed for each other and for giving me reason to hope again in Micah’s wonderful vision. Thank you Deserae, Elizabeth, Emma, Gianluca, Hazel, Kevin, Laura, Samantha, Sammy, and Shaun, (my co-leader). I thank as well the group leaders and administrators for helping me to find my feet in this new venture.

 

For information about how to donate or apply to our Camp Micah see www.campmicah.ca We are the one using Cedar Ridge Camp near Bancroft and McArthur’s Mills, ON.

 

David Milne