By Alan Sorensen
The HELP Committees 10th annual HELP Camp scheduled for July 19-21 is open to all Hi-Line-area youths entering sixth, seventh or eighth grades this fall.
The 3-day camp, held at MSU-Northern with campers and staff housed at MSU-N residence halls, is staffed by adult and student volunteers. All student staffers are previous HELP Camp graduates.
Cost of the camp is $35 for applications postmarked before July 9 and $40 for late applications postmarked after July 9. The fee covers housing, meal, camp manual and T-shirts. Unless other arrangements have been made, please include payment with the application.
HELP Camp is intended help students to survive what can be some of the toughest years in a persons life the middle school years.
There are a lot of things going on (at that age) that can confuse, tempt, or lead to potentially dangerous situations, Camp Director Robin Morris said in a recent news release. The HELP Camp, in its 10th year, is an opportunity for students to get together to learn and practice some pretty important life skills.
At the same time, HELP Camp is about having fun and making new friends.
The HELP Camp addresses problems associated with alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, and life situations, but is not a treatment camp, Morris said.
Campers will be provided with a foundation for helping themselves and their peers through the adolescent years, Morris said.
Camp activities include interactive learning, hands-on problem solving, role playing real-life scenarios, brainstorming solutions to local issues, community service, swimming, and a dance.
New activities, workshops and general sessions that should appeal to former campers are included in this years camp schedule. Former campers entering the seventh or eighth grade are invited back.
Among the workshops offered at this years camp will be: stress and management, teen etiquette, peer refusal skills, addictions, and other related teen topics.
We believe in the youth of today and their abilities to make this a safer place for future generations, Morris said. Camp will enlighten students about what the can do to make a difference and Camp Reunions will be held to reinforce skills taught.
Everyone is encouraged to register early because the camp often fills up before the $35 deadline. Applications are available at the HELP Office on the second floor of the Masonic Temple or by calling HELP at 265-6206.
