"Take one branch"
By Sam White, Promise Fellow at Edison High School
It was a hot summer day and I was in a canoe filled with firewood and tents that was about to tip over. I was giving instructions to a high school camper who was also in my canoe. I was trying to teach her how to steer and we ended up in a tree. The canoe was rocking and I knew one wrong move would mean our supplies that were to last us for the next few days would get wet.
Part of the beauty of being a Promise Fellows means expanding your vision of youth work. Although I loved serving at Edison High School, I was happy to have the opportunity to serve with Camp Sunrise for a week this summer. I was a co-counselor and helped lead a canoe camping expedition with high school girls, as well as participated in activities at our camp site.
Eventually, we made it out of the tree and completed the rest of the 30 mile canoe trip. I connected with youth outdoors as we sat around campfires, pitched tents together, and enjoyed nature. I made friendship bracelets with my campers and participated in service projects around the camp. Connecting youth with the outdoors is my passion and I was lucky enough to do this as a Promise Fellow this summer.
[From "Voices From the Field: Reflections from Minnesota Alliance With Youth’s AmeriCorps Promise Fellows." Summer 2014.]
