Under a canopy of towering trees providing shade from a sunny blue sky, Megan Stoddard clutched the ends of a rope in each hand. Precariously balanced on a cable, strung low to the ground between two trees, she began taking steps.
The 14-year-old, who will be a sophomore at Brandon High School this fall, smiled and laughed as she nearly fell, but surrounded by numerous teenage girls who were ‘spotting? her, she successfully reached the end of the cable.
‘If I was at home, I’d be watching TV,? said Stoddard, who was one of several Brandon students who took part in Camp Adventure at the Crossroads for Youth Camp in Oxford this week. ‘I like (camp) a lot, being with friends and meeting new friends and learning new stuff.?
Each year Brandon Groveland Youth Assistance tries to send several local children to camp. This year, through the Adopt-a-Camper program, they sent the most ever?31 Brandon students attended either Crossroads or Camp Skyline in Almont. The program benefits children from low-income families.
BGYA Caseworker Phyllis McCaffrey said $1,100 in donations from local businesses and individuals and $600 raised during CreekFest offset the cost of sending the kids to camp and made it possible. McCaffrey said she was especially thankful to the parishioners at Hillside Bible Church, who paid for the transportation to get the children to and from camp.
‘We couldn’t do it without the local support,? she said. ‘We chose these camps because they have very caring counselors who invest a lot of time and energy in these children. It’s a wonderful camp, an experience you can’t duplicate, and these children do come home changed for the better.?
The low-rope activity that Stoddard was participating in is an adventure based behavior management program, which concentrates on team-building and social skills. Campers also navigate high ropes during this program.
Other camp classes or activities include archery, birdwatching, swimming, hiking, fitness, yoga and meditation, outdoor living skills, and canoeing.
‘I like being outside a lot and finding new things to do,? said Jessa Johnson, 15. ‘I liked to watch birds before, but now I know how to do it quietly.?
Josh Best, adventure center coordinator, said the camp would serve about 200 kids this summer during one-week camps for small groups.
‘We hope they learn to interact with their peers better, make new firends and have a good time,? he said. ‘A lot of these kids, their home life is stressful, so if we can give them a week away from that and fun, we’re happy.?