Adventure camp inspires Flathead Reservation youth
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News from the Boys & Girls Club of the Flathead Reservation and Lake County
POLSON – Students recently returned home inspired, and tired, after multiple day trips to a summer camp-style program called “Adventure with a Purpose.” The program is a partnership between the Boys & Girls Club of the Flathead Reservation and Lake County and Bighorn Christian Camp.
Beginning last September, the club offered adventure trips at Camp Bighorn for their participating youth in the fall and spring. Kids were grouped by their ages and each group enjoyed a one-day camp experience every semester. At each adventure trip, students learned new ways of dealing with challenges and working as a team to overcome obstacles. This summer the club will also offer a week-long camp for students grade 6 and up, giving Boys & Girls Club members more opportunities to participate.
“The kids who go to Adventure Camp learn the value and need for faith and resiliency – skills that can change the trajectory of a person’s life. Many of the club members are in the cycle of poverty, and big picture thinking can be difficult when you don’t know where you’re sleeping or where your next meal is coming from. Kids are impacted on so many levels by discouraging circumstances, ineffective coping skills and simple hopelessness. Every time we do one of these camps we come back with real-life examples of change and growth,” said Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Aric Cooksley.
Staff members also feel the lasting impact of the camp, and return with a better understanding of positive youth development and ways to grow their ability to positively interact with club members daily.
The expanded program provided the opportunity for more than 50 club members ages 9-16 to attend the camp. While parents were asked to pay a small fee for their children to attend, the program was primarily made possible through donations and private funding by groups including the Gianforte Family Foundation.
Although the camp operates as a Christian camp, club members and staff of all faiths are welcome and activities are not religiously focused.
For more information contact Aric at hope@ronan.net.
