By Susan Conniry
Since 1998, when I first began writing for Internet-based
magazines, I have received emails from all corners of the
world. Often those who write, encourage me to continue to
shout out loud but add that they feel less than adequate
in their own abilities to "spread the word." Many
seem constrained by the thinking that one voice in a crowd
is drowned out by the majority. That may often be the case
but it is no reason to remain silent. Indeed, it may be
the lone voice that makes the difference. Today's piece
is written and shared with you all in the hope that you
will not fear rejection as you speak out for what you believe,
that your spirit will not be dampened by those who disagree,
or worse, ignore your message. Though you may receive no
positive accolades, know in your heart that you have touched
someone and in touching that one person you may have altered
the course of our destiny. There are many possible futures
running side by side and every action and every thought
plays a part in what shapes the probable future.
I learned early on in my career as a teacher that I might
never see the rewards or results of my actions. A child
you teach grows up moves on and although you may have added
positively to his/her life you may never know it. It is
just the nature of the teaching game. You learn to believe
in your heart, trust your inner senses that you are doing
the right thing and not seek outwardly the winged white
buffalo from the East to come pouncing in with praise of
your accomplishments.
And yet, every once in a great while the Creator must deem
it important to provide us with a tangible reward; to give
us a shred of evidence that we are indeed doing the right
thing, some type of sign or kudos to keep us traveling along
the path; to substantiate the belief that our purpose beyond
self is meaningful. Such was the case for my husband and
I in mid March 2000.
Camp-outs for At Risk Youth
In 1997, we began in earnest to work with the At Risk Youth
groups in San Diego County. In conjunction with the County
Parks & Recreation Department we developed a unique
outdoor education program. We offered our camp-out/outdoor
Wilderness Challenge weekends in conjunction with two of
County Probation’s At Risk Youth groups -). The emphasis
was on providing an alternative type of recreational/education
experience.
One group, Children’s Therapeutic Communities) all
first-time offenders were particularly hard-core and there
were many restrictions placed on our teaching. However,
we were amazed as the kids easily accepted us and in a short
time absorbed themselves in the activities we presented
- which included - tracking, camouflage techniques, nature
awareness, outdoor survival techniques, plant identification,
nature hikes, and of course, night-time campfire activities.
These kids from CTC were an incredible challenge in that
first time offenders really have attitudes. There were many
rules that got in the way not the least of which was that
there was absolutely no physical touching. What a pleasure
when at the end of the weekend, the lead staff member awarded
us with the statement that “we had touched”
the boys in a way that no one had done before! And, indeed,
then, for the first time, allowed physical touching to take
place as we hugged the participants. One boy, a tall thin,
blond who had participated in all the events, through his
tears said he hoped he would see us again sometime. We are
sure that these alternative educational and recreational
programs affect the lives of the participants in a positive
way and although we sensed that the lives of these youths
had been changed during this particular overnight camp-out
we had no feedback to prove it, until just recently.
A gift of the highest degree
By chance, our entrance gate to the property was open one afternoon in March and afforded the opportunity for a remarkable
experience. Early afternoon, a very old and dilapidated
vehicle came up our driveway, was parked and three young
people exited. The leader, a tall thin blond, stuck out
his hand and said, "I'm Joe. You know from the CTC
camp a few years ago." Behind him was Jack, one of
the other participants. Joe, accompanied by his girlfriend,
Natasha, (their names have been changed to protect their
privacy) explained that they had been "looking"
for us for months. They remembered that we had told them
we lived in a geodesic dome house in the rural area of San
Diego. They had investigated two other domes and this was
the last one. They were beside themselves that they had
found us. We were amazed at their ability to do so.
We visited for several hours. Both boys had rehabilitated.
Jack is moving to Sacramento where he is joining the Conservation
Corps and Joe is working for a steel company in town. They
told us that our enthusiasm for the outdoors had sparked
an interest in them and they recounted story after story
of adventures and trips that they have made together. Joe
said we gave him hope and a belief that there was more to
life than what had been presented to him. He had wanted
to find us and explain that although he had made a few mistakes
in his juvenile life he wouldn't go "back there"
and to offer a heartfelt thank you for the chance he believed
we had given him to change direction.
For the most part, my husband and I go on pure faith alone
that we make a difference through our teaching. In this
case, we were blessed to once again meet a tall, thin, blond
boy whom we had "touched" in perhaps more ways
than we ever realized, ways that had brought about a change
that turned his life around.
Words do not do justice for how we feel. The visit by these
kids was a gift of the highest degree.
For information regarding programs or ways to donate, please contact Susan by email
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