Reflections and Observations from the 8th Week of the 2010 Good Neighbors Summer Day Camp

On Friday, August 13^th, we ended the 2010 SML Good Neighbors summer programs. These last four weeks at Trinity Ecumenical Parish were terrific. The church is a great location for the Franklin County camp. And, the hospitality shown to the Good Neighbors organization by TEP is was exceptional. Our original plan was to use one of the elementary schools in Franklin County. When this couldn’t be arranged the church council approved our request to use the church. We used almost every part of the church except the sanctuary and I hope we left the building and its rooms in good order. It is always our goal to be Good Neighbors no matter where we operate our programs.

This camp had over 50 children registered. The maximum number attending was 46 and the average attendance was 37. These children came to us from three elementary schools: Dudley E.S., Burnt Chimney E.S. and Windy Gap E.S. Many of the children had attended the 2009 camp and several have been in the program all three years.

Highlights – Week 4 of the Franklin County Program

· Let me begin with the last day – Friday. We followed our regular daily rhythms during the morning. But, the afternoon was different. The Roanoke Children’s Theatre staff worked with the children in the early afternoon to rehearse the program they would present for families and friends. About 1:45 families, friends, volunteers and supporters began arriving in the fellowship hall. We had set up chairs for 100 people thinking that we were being optimistic. By 2 o’clock we had run out of seating. Volunteers began taking chairs from the storage racks as the crowd grew. We counted about 150 guests in attendance. When you add the children, the theatre staff, interns, etc. there were nearly 200 people at this closing celebration. The children were amazing and the crowd loved the “Cooking It” musical presented by the theatre staff and the children. It was a WOW performance. And – there was the strong message about good eating choices! After the musical performance, the children, led by the theatre staff, sang one of our favorite songs that we learned as part of our peace education program. The words are worth repeating since they capture the core of what we try to teach and model for the children… So you be you and I’ll be me/that’s the way it’s supposed to be/and we’ll live, you and me/(clap, clap) together differently. These words seem to be imprinted in my mind and on my heart. I believe these seeds were sown in fertile ground in the children this summer.

· After the performance by the children, we got to say goodbye to our interns. Actually, I don’t plan to lose contact with them; they are now family! It was clear to me from the reflections they shared at this celebration, the comments we heard from families and volunteers, and the interactions with the children, that bonds of love and affection did form between the interns and our community. We have all been blessed.

· Earlier in the week, Lisa Bowman, principal of Dudley Elementary School, visited the camp. Many of the kids are from her school and they were excited to see her. Lisa is a strong supporter of our programs. I can’t overemphasize the importance of close, working relationships with the schools. We are fortunate to have Lisa as a partner.

· Angela Massino completed two videos about the Good Neighbors programs. Both of them can be accessed through our web site: www.smlgoodneighbors.org The are excellent at telling the story of the day camps and the internships. This was Angela’s second year with us; now I have to find a way to have her return for a third year!

· We asked families to complete a survey about the Good Neighbors experience for their children. I could fill several pages with quotes but will settle for just a few:

“My child has picked up a book to read for the first time in a longtime without me telling her to do so.”

“My son loves this program! I don’t know what we would do without it!”

“Her enjoyment of the camp counselors and the volunteers has enriched her life and helped show her “People do care!” Life can be happy and whole.”

“I think this program is terrific. Every day my son comes home with a smile on his face and so much to tell us. He has benefited from the interaction with other kids and his continuing learning of reading and writing. He has learned new songs that have become our nightly entertainment at home.”

“It was so nice to hear my boys singing camp songs and wanting to read to me instead of me begging them to.”

Comments like these from families affirm our mission. And, they help remind me why we have been gathered here, in this place, at this time, to do this work.

· Finally, I will end with several photos of life with the children during the last week of camp. After a brief pause, we will begin preparing for 2011.