Community Action coalitions experience REACH US Camp
by bel Reyes
and Kindra Montgomery
It could be seen at a distance, through the trees, pulling around the curved paved road, heading straight toward the drop-off curb — it was a white charter bus filled with campers, all ready for five days of camp! As the bus turned to drive up the last few feet before coming to a final stop, the memories of the many months of planning rushed back to the first of several meetings with youth and adults from all seven of the REACH Community Action coalitions.
The first meeting was at the Robertson Community Center, the beginning of our visioning process in which youth and adults developed a camp wish-list using Story Telling Cards, to our second brainstorming meeting full of Trees, Leaves and Roots! Using the themes that surfaced from this brainstorming activity, the planning team was ready to identify the themes for each of the five days of camp. In doing so, the youth-adult planning team was tasked with planning activities and facilitating workshops for an assigned day of camp based on a process called Winds of Change.
The Winds changed the larger planning team so that in addition to the monthly camp planning team meetings, members also became responsible for meeting to plan their assigned day of camp. As a result, the South Sacramento Coalition for Future Leaders joined with the Sacramento ACT Meadowview Partnership to deliver Day 2: Youth Leadership. The Cordova Community Collaborative partnered with the West Sacramento Youth Resource Coalition to deliver Day 3: Youth as Change Agents. Woodland Coalition for Youth delivered Day 4: Diversity and Culture. Galt Area Youth Coalition partnered with the Vision Coalition of El Dorado Hills to deliver Day 5: D.V.D. – Disrespect, Violence & Drugs. Camp coordinators were responsible for delivering Day 1: “Super” Teambuilding, the first of several exciting and highly interactive days.
Slowly, the bus came to a stop, the door opened and one-by-one campers poured out with such enthusiasm, the only words we shared at that very moment was “here we go” and the 2008 REACH US Camp at Grizzly Creek Ranch officially kicked off!
Eighty youth and 20 adults from all seven REACH coalitions attended this year's REACH camp at Sierra Health Foundation's beautiful Grizzly Creek Ranch in Portola. Campers were housed in cabins with youth from the REACH coalitions, along with one or two adult chaperons. Friendships did not take long to develop across coalitions, as two young men from El Dorado proved by announcing their membership in both the El Dorado and Woodland coalitions.
Youth and adults faced individual and team challenges through numerous hours of ropes course challenges. Many faced their fears and climbed a three-story Alpine tower, proving that anything is possible with positive support and encouragement. As individuals climbed the tower, the remaining team members were responsible for ensuring their safety up and for hoisting them back down to the ground.
In addition to ropes course challenges, campers participated in youth-led, adult-supported workshops. Campers, for example, learned effective leadership styles of communication and networking by creating their own form of business cards. On another day, campers shared how they can support positive change as a coalition by creating and presenting public service announcements. Campers also participated in a reflection activity of their own experiences with Disrespect, Violence and Drugs.
In addition to the content-based workshops, campers created performances with a focus on diversity for a highly entertaining talent show in which many laughs were shared. Two Woodland youth, along with their coordinator, did an amazing job emceeing the unforgettable event of talented actors/actresses, dancers, comedians, poets, singers, etc. We cannot fail to also mention the grammar lessons so kindly given by REACH's very own Lamar Heystek during the talent show, because without it those who attended camp would not know that the singular of criteria is criterion!
The
talent show was not the only event giving campers an opportunity
to show off their talents. The dance — or “Night Fall
Jam” — gave an opportunity for all to show off their
moves to songs DJ'ed by youth Danielle Nunn, Juan Oquendo and
Alex Gonzalez. 
Others who preferred not to dance enjoyed time on the outdoor
patio with games like Jenga, Uno, Ping-Pong and Dominos. Of course,
camp is not truly camp without campfires, s'mores, kayaking, swimming,
archery, soccer, basketball, arts & crafts and fishing …
well, maybe we should say that it would not be REACH's style of
camping.
To end each night, as campers returned to their cabins they were followed above by a starry night so unbelievable that it had to be captured as a mental memory, many of us knowing that such an unbelievable vision of stars cannot been seen in the night skies over our communities.
As expected, the inevitable final day of camp arrived. Campers exchanged contact information and took photos, all in efforts of remembering the empowering experiences that strengthened their leadership skills, youth-adult relationships, efforts to create positive change in their communities and friendships (old and new), all of which could not happen without the time spent together at the REACH US Camp at Grizzly Creek Ranch. Thus, the final closing circle ended with the acknowledgement of all campers successfully completing the five-day REACH camping experience and with us taking a final bow.
Once again, the white charter bus could be seen driving on the curvy paved road, through the trees, at a distance that grew farther and farther away, officially ending the 2008 REACH US Camp.
See the REACH Camp photo gallery on Sierra Health's REACH Web site.
back to top
Nevada County students explore health careers
by Sharyn Turner, MA, RN
Coordinator of School Health,
Nevada County Superintendent of Schools
So you think you want to be a nurse? How do you know you don't want to be a cardiac surgeon, a physical therapist, a nuclear radiologist or a forensic pathologist? These are just a few of the numerous health careers exposed to the 20 students in grades eight through 12 who participated in the Exploring Careers in Health Summer Institute, held July 28-31 at Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital and sponsored by the Nevada County Superintendent of Schools Office.
This project is a collaborative approach to a problem that has far-reaching implications in Nevada County for youth and the community. It combines the efforts of the Nevada County Superintendent of Schools and Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital to address the need for an educated and competent workforce, and it reflects both short-term and long-term strategies in youth development and service learning.
Students participated in multiple hands-on activities utilizing Sierra College Nursing Department's patient simulator, including specific scenarios such as a paramedic protocol in response to a gunshot wound to the chest. All students received certification in CPR and first aid, as well.
Course objectives for student participants included:
- identifying several professions and their attributes in the health care field
- identifying characteristics of his/her personality that make them well-suited or not
to pursue a health career
- learning to conduct themselves in a professional manner within ethical and legal boundaries
- learning educational requirements of various health professions, including scholarship opportunities
- providing orientation to volunteer service and work experience in the health fields
Students who attended the Summer Institute will receive priority in placement to participate in the hospital volunteer experience or other health career job shadowing opportunities in September. They commit two hours per week per semester and will be assigned a mentor from the department they are working in to provide supervision and support. Students in grade eight will join the Nevada County Health Career Club and meet monthly to continue to explore health care options through field trips, speakers and other community service opportunities. At age 14, the students are eligible for work experience and job shadowing.
A REACH grant from Sierra Health Foundation will provide funding for program improvement in creating relevant and active volunteer positions in the SNMH's Diagnostic Imaging Center and other areas, such as radiology, breast imaging, X-ray and ultrasound. In addition, every volunteer will be assigned a mentor from the department he or she is working in to provide supervision, support and training. Hiring a project manager will expand the program into other health arenas, such as public health departments, physical therapy centers, etc.
It was evident that the students valued the experience, and they are eager to continue their volunteer work experience. As one student summarized, “This was an awesome experience that I will always remember the rest of my life. It will only get better from here!”
back to top
Cordova High School celebrates student-led mural project
by Cordova High School Student Union staff
Last year, Cordova High School students decided they wanted a mural to help beautify their school and increase enrollment and pride in the Student Union. Subsequently, they held a mural design contest, in which three students participated and the Student Union members voted on the design they liked best. The winning design was created by Mashaal Al-Yahyaai, an exchange student from the country of Oman, who attended Cordova High School last year. The students applied for and were awarded a grant for $912 from the Sacramento Region Community Foundation's Grants Advisory Board for Youth (GABY).
Members of the Student Union completed the project this summer, and on Aug. 14 they unveiled the mural, which depicts a scale balancing school and life, a popular theme for high school students.
“Some of the students told me they have never had the opportunity to participate in a project where they could do something to make their lives better,” said Eunice Reyes, coordinator of the Cordova High School Student Union. “At first, we did not know exactly how the mural would make a difference, but after finishing the project, students are expressing how they now feel more confident about what they can do to improve the community.”
The following partners were involved in this mural project: Sacramento Region Community Foundation's GABY program, Sierra Health Foundation, Folsom Cordova Unified School District's Family Support Services, UC Davis Pediatrics' Community and Physicians Together program and Weed & Seed.
The Cordova High School Student Union offers a safe and unique after-school environment for high school students, where they can receive after-school help with homework, learn new skills and explore friendships with other high school students.
For more information, contact Student Union Coordinator Eunice Reyes at (916) 362-1104 x263.
back to top
Veggie Chase to engage kids in fun fitness and nutrition education
The Kaiser Permanente Veggie Chase 5K and Kid's Runs debuts Oct. 12 in Rancho Cordova and aims to be the region's premier family-oriented community running/walking event.
The event offers kids and adults a 5K and mile run/walk and shorter kids' runs, including a Diaper Dash and Toddler Trot, all with a whimsical theme. Kids race the “Veggies” (costumed adults) for fun and prizes. The course starts at Hagan Park and takes runners and walkers through Soil Born Farm and the American River Parkway.
The event will be a fun event for kids and families that eliminates some of the cost barriers for participation, and will act as a positive anchor for fitness and healthy lifestyle choices, according to event director Tim Coughlin with the Northern California Youth Running Foundation. He said community support for the event has been outstanding.
The Veggie Chase benefits Soil Born Farm Urban Agriculture Project, a REACH Program Improvement grant recipient.
For event information and registration, go to the Veggie Chase Web site or contact Tim Coughlin at veggiechase@aol.com
back to top
Opportunities
The Yolo Family Resource Center in Woodland is looking for a Youth Engagement Leader to work with the Woodland Coalition for Youth, a REACH Community Action coalition. See the online job description.
Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento has announced the release of its 2009 Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Sutter Community Grants Program. The RFP and all required documents are available on the Sutter Medical Center Web site.
California
students in grades six through 12 are invited to enter the American
Public Health Association Student Essay & Poster Contest.
Students may submit an essay, a poster or both using the theme
Public Health without Borders. Entries are due Sept.
15. Download
contest details (PDF).
back to top
Calendar
Sept. 11 and 12
8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Youth Development Network is offering its popular Youth Development 101 two-day course at the Samuel Pannell Meadowview Community Center in Sacramento. Get details and registration information the YDN Web site.
Oct. 12
8:15 a.m.
The Kaiser Permanente Veggie Chase 5K and Kid's Runs will take place at Hagan Community Park in Rancho Cordova. This fun and healthy event benefits Soil Born Farm. See the article above.
Oct. 13
The Youth Development Network is bringing the Youth Program Quality Assessment Tool to the region. This tool measures program quality against a youth development lens. Learn how to use the program quality assessment for your organization. Get information on the YDN Web site.
E-mail story ideas, funding opportunities, resources and calendar items to us at REACH.
back to top
|
