So I am back in town for 36 hours after my second week at Viata camp. Every weekend from Friday late afternoon til Sunday morning we have off and we come down the mountain. We eat, we sleep, we go to the lake and relax, we have dinners and we catch on e-mailing!! I realized I have somewhat neglected this blog lately, my apologies, but its only because in the last three weeks I have less than 3 full days off in town.
I am enjoying my time at Viata. Training week went really well, I lead trainings on debriefing, leadership and some technicals skills. The group of leaders this year, although young, are very inspiring overall. They have either been involved with IMPACT or Viata in the past, and most have caught on to the vision of Viata and New Horizon Foundation. The Viata vision is a Romania without corruption or apathy. At the end of each week campers make a voluntary commitment (or engagement as the Romanian word literally translates) to 'do unto others as you would have done onto you', to be active citizens, to not participate in corruption, to be not apathic towards others and their community. They all get a bracelet to remind them of their commitment. It is a very climatic moment for the kids at the end of the week, one that we hope they stay true to.
My role is very similar last year, as 'ropes course girl'. Most days I am at the ropes course, helping set up the high elements and making sure everything is running safely and smoothly. I also help with the ecology lesson on Thursdays and sometimes lead the hiking excursion. The first week we had a social-service organization come with about 50 kids from the sea side of Romania. These kids were all either street kids or had bad family situations. So we started off the summer with some tough kids! But it is always rewarding to see, even with kids like these, the change over the week. In the beginning they are complete disengaged and apathetic towards being at the camp, but by the end they have formed a real sense of community within their group and are stepping out of their 'comfort zones'. Seeing this transformation confirms for me my decision to come back to Romania for the summer.
Thanks again for all your encouragement and support!
Katie
a group at the low ropes
This is at the ropes course this past week, first time I ever saw it sleet in July!!! Thirty of us packed into a little cabin waiting out the storm of thunder and lightning and sleet!
Tying in a participant at the ropes course
my favorite picture of the summer...Claudius, a fellow leader; Bo-bo, daughter of a co-worker, ; & me playing it cool at the ropes course cabin