Arianne

The vertical playpen is essentially a vertical obstacle course, consisting of tires, and ropes; the challenge is to reach the top with a partner. My partner and I were first to go, harnessed in and helmet on we began to climb. Within seconds we were faced with challenges, we kept asking each other how are we going to get to the next level? The vertical playpen definitely looked easier from afar. Soon I was a level above my partner, I held out my hand for her, trying to pull her up. I saw not only determination in her eyes but also frustration. She complained of her arms being tired, but after a few minutes of rest, she challenged herself to continue. Together we made it to the top; we stood on a tire hugging each other not only for support but because we were so proud. I am so glad to have accomplished this challenge with the support of the other youth leaders as they cheered for my partner and me to climb to the final tire. Later I watched others challenge themselves with the vertical playpen, one youth leader confronted her fear of heights as she reached the top. I watched as she repeatedly stated that she couldn’t continue, but as the other youth leaders cheered her on, she built up the confidence to climb higher. The vertical playpen was both challenging and rewarding, it helped to build teamwork and courage.

The Vertical Playpen was the most difficult part of the weekend for most of us youth leaders. Many of us could not figure out how to get up it, some of us we're afraid to climb it and others just wanted to do it in the least amount of time possible. For me, it was definitely the most difficult exercise of the weekend at Camp Jewel. I'm afraid of heights, if it was not for my partner I would have not made it up to the top. I wanted to stop at the third level and get down but thanks to my partner and all my fellow leaders on the ground cheering me on I kept climbing. I was shaking my head and crying the whole way up saying I could not do it but I took another step. I might have not gotten to stand on the top tire but I at least touched it and that was a big accomplishment for me. I was so happy when I got down and all my new friends congratulated me and said how good of a job i did. I'm so grateful for meeting them and now being a part of the Youth Leadership Program. I would have not gotten through the Vertical Playpen or even the weekend without them.

There were many fun team building activities at Camp Jewell. They teach us how teamwork is ninety percent communication and ten percent performance. One of the activities was called the "High Lama." The "high lama" was one us who the rest of the group needs to find, in order to reach enlightenment. The objective was to find the "high lama", however we were blindfold and we could only communicate by saying "high lama" and nothing else. We basically had to listen carefully and speak loudly. At first, I was the last one to find the "high lama" because I honestly did not know where I was going. But after a second try, I was able to find the "high lama" by listening to the direction the "high lama" was running to. Unfortunately, we did not communicate well and it took longer for everyone else to find the "high lama." This basically taught us how communication plays a very significant role in teamwork.

The balance board was a teamwork activity that involved a big board that was able to balance itself. Our goal was to get everyone on the board and get it to balance. The restrictions were three were blindfolded and could talk, while the rest of us could see and could not talk. Also, if one of the sides of the board touch the ground, that was one touch; a second touch meant we had to start over. The first idea was to start in the middle were the balance beam was and spread out. Our communication was tapping and moving the blindfolded person ourselves. It was quite difficult for the blindfolded people because they did n t know what was going on. Unfortunately, the plan was not an success. The sides of the board kept touching the ground the second time. We had access the problem and figure out another way to accomplish our goal. Another idea was to have to the side touch the ground and the we had to redistribute our weight from one side and spread out slowly out on the other side until it was balance. After a few times, and switching places, we finally succeeded. With the combination of my idea, Hanna and Jimmy leading and the others seeing people, it resulted in a great success and showed us how well we worked as a team.

It was a hike to get to the zip line, but once we got up there,we pretty much knew what to do and what to expect. We had been in harnesses before so we knew how to wear and secure them properly. Once one person was all secured he or she headed up the stairs. We weren't just then attached to the zip line; we first had to cross either of the two rope bridges. The one on the right was a long rope attached between two trees that you had to walk on along with having one rope on either side of you to hold on to. The one on the left was the pirate bridge and the most challenging. You had to walk across in a push up position and when you got to the middle you had to turn your body around and continue forward. Once you finally crossed the bridge and got to the next tree, you waited to be harnessed to the zip line. Once you were ready you'd shout, "Zip line clear?!?", while everyone else shouted, "Clear!", then you'd say, "Zipping!" and waited for them to reply, "Zip away!" Then you'd walk off into the air.

The drop was the best feeling for some and an uncomfortable feeling for others. Once you finally walked off the plank you felt free and accomplished. It was an accomplishment for those who took the challenging way to get to the zip line, it was an accomplishment for those who've never been on a zip line before, and it was an accomplishment for those who conquered their fear of heights. Everyone was supportive of one another whether they were cheering for someone to get across one of the rope bridges or they were cheering them on for overcoming their fear. The people who were on ladder duty, waiting at the end to help get you down, were also very supportive. Riding the zip line was an experience that will be remembered forever along with the many other adventures we had at Camp Jewell.

It was getting closer and closer to 4 p.m. and I was getting more nervous as the minutes past. As I said goodbye to my mom it suddenly hit me this was it, moment of truth I was leaving. It’s always hard to make that first step. The bus ride wasn’t too bad; I kept to myself recognizing only a few faces. When we got to the camp it was a little hard to get started talking, not knowing anyone. As we came to the ice breakers activities and started learning names it was easy to laugh and joke with our new team. As more activities came on we communicated a lot throughout our teams and started to feel comfortable with one another. When it was meal time we laughed and talked about many things including our lives and activities. Slowly we were becoming friends sharing stories and making inside jokes. I never thought I would make 19 or so new friends in just one weekend. Now looking back on this first experience it’s hard to imagine that if it wasn’t for Valley United Way we would not have the chance to meet all these new friends, and that’s just the beginning!

Going to Camp Jewell, for a second time, was an amazing opportunity and experience. I met so many new friends. When I first heard of the idea of going to Camp Jewell, going to a camp with complete strangers, I was a little skeptical. After the first night it was like we had all known each other for years. We were joking around, playing games, and just simply getting to know each other. I have made so many friends through this program that I will keep in touch with for the rest of my life. Everyone is different in their own special way and we don't judge each other. I feel comfortable knowing that I can be myself around these people because I know that they won't judge me at all. We are a very accepting group, we like everyone. Black or white, blue or purple, no one is left out or judged. Camp Jewell is an amazing place!

When we first got on the bus heading towards Camp Jewel, the bus was completely split. All the returning members sat in the back together. The knew kids all sat next to one of their friends from school or just sat by themselves around the middle of the bus. We mainly just carried a conversation amongst the groups, not really talking to anyone else.

After an incredible weekend at Camp Jewel we all became friends and truly got to know one another. On the bus ride back we all sat together as one large group, not individual pairs. It was much more comfortable because instead of an anxiety filled bus ride to the unknown, we were simply going home, sitting and talking with a big group of friends. The bus ride to Camp Jewel seemed to go on forever, but the bus ride home ended much too quickly.

This weekend was all about building a stronger relationship with the members in our group we also needed to learn how to work together in order to get something done or resolve conflicts. This was done through a series of different team building activities in which we had to work as a group or in teams in order to do certain things. An example of this is when we had to get everyone over a wood wall with only two direct lifts. In the process of completing this we tried a number of different ways before and realized that many of them were not going to work for the whole group. Eventually we got everyone up the wall and resolved the fact that at one time everyone was brainstorming and yelling out suggestions all at once. In this we learned how to work together and listen to everyone's ideas. We not only had to learn how to work together but to trust each other. This was demonstrated when we broke into partners of two with one blindfolded. The blindfolded person had to trust the other one to lead them around rocks and up hills. These activities showed us that we may all be leaders but we need to work together and trust each other with ideas in order to complete something.

Caitlin

Camp Jewell was one of the best weekends ever. The memories and friends I made, I will never forget. It all started with the bus ride up. I remember it clearly; my friend and I were the last ones on the bus and we grabbed the closet seat. When I was walking on to the bus I noticed everyone was sitting next to people they knew from their town. As the bus ride went on it was very quiet. We left around 4, and therefore we stopped at McDonald's, on the way up. Even there everyone sat with people they knew and while we were eating it was very quiet. Soon we got to camp and started participating in activities. The weekend went by very quick and we all came closer together.

As soon as we left Camp Jewell everyone was talking to each other and having a good time. No one was sitting with people from there school, but new friends. We were able to call ourselves the Valley United Way Youth Leadership Group. As we soon reached Waterbury, Pat handed out pro-note bags. Everyone was smiling and very touched by how nice the notes were, they received. I could tell everyone was upset the weekend was over and we were back home, but we all knew it is going to be a great year as Youth Leaders'.

Rachel

The first night we arrived at Camp Jewell we gathered together to create our "pro-note bags." After dumping magazines, markers, scissors and glue out on the floor in front of us, we were each handed a brown paper bag to decorate as our own, to adorn in a way that described us or our interests. After a vigorous half hour of dripping glue and scraps of magazines flying, we each presented our bags to the group. From food to countries to sports, we had all decorated our bags to show a little bit about ourselves and what we cared about.

For the next two days at Camp Jewell, after our many activities and meal times, we wrote helpful compliments to people that we saw accomplish something or exert extra kindness or leadership during that day and placed them in each other’s bags. Soon the bags filled up with compliments and supportive thoughts throughout the weekend.

On our way home on the bus, we were handed our pro-note bags back and we opened them and read all of the notes to ourselves. You could tell that the notes made everyone a bit happier and feel even closer to the group, even though we were disappointed to be on our way home after such a magnificent weekend.