staff arrivals

With only four days to go, staff is beginning to arrive in Kisubi to ready the school for camp on Sunday. At our inaugural camp, we'll have 50+ volunteer counselors and staffers to take care of the 150 boys coming from the far reaches of Uganda. We'd like to introduce you to a few of these exceptional folks.

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Christy Prouty is one of three camp directors.  Before joining the Peace Corps in Uganda, she was an environmental engineering master’s degree student at the University of South Florida. When not building an improved cook stove, you might find her cheering on her LSU Tigers.

Christy has been working with the headmaster and staff at St. Mary’s College to ready the site for camp. “Along every step of the way, regardless of the situation, they have been resourceful, informative, and creative in working around obstacles.” During the camp, we'll have a dozen volunteers working in support teams —media, logistics, facilities, project coordinators, et al. Christy's primary role will be working with the these staffers to ensure that the camp runs as smoothly as possible.  

Christy's country upbringing and down-home demeanor will allow her to relate well with many of the boys. She grew up in the rural counties surrounding Jackson, Mississippi. She has two little brothers, JoJo who is 11 and Luke who is 3, as well as one older sister, Melissa, who is 26. She recalls that as a child much of her time was spent playing outside with her sister and next-door neighbors, Joy and Aaron. Christy says, “We would ride bikes, make forts in the woods, climb trees, and play games.” 

When asked what sparked her involvement in the camp, she says, “My family has always been a source of instruction about and practical display of leadership, both male and female members.” Christy will be sharing those values with a new generation of Ugandans.

CAMP BUILD BACKGROUND

Hello Everyone,

Here is the first of many posts for Camp BUILD, updates will continue through the next month, hope you enjoy!

Introduction

National Leadership Camp 2011 will bring together approximately 150 boys ages 13-15 from diverse backgrounds and cultures across Uganda. The camp will be a 5-day, 4-night residential skills building conference at St.Mary’s College, Kisubi from 4-10 December 2011.

Mission

To integrate boys ages 13-15 from diverse backgrounds and prepare them to be the men of tomorrow by developing appropriate skills for becoming active and engaged citizens of Uganda, their communities, and the world.

Goals

+ Participants will learn best practice information on HIV/AIDS, malaria, nutrition, reproductive health, personal hygiene, and sanitation;

-              1) Campers will have will gain knowledge concerning the transmission, prevention and treatment of diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria         

-              2) Campers will demonstrate knowledge of reproductive health including body parts and their functions, and puberty

-              3) Campers will demonstrate increased knowledge of these and other health matters by at least 50%

+ Integrate boys from diverse backgrounds (i.e. religion, ethnicity, kingdom, class, and language region)

     1) Campers will demonstrate appreciation and respect for people of other genders, backgrounds, religions, ethnicities, and cultures

         2) Campers will be integrated into small and large groups with peers of diverse backgrounds

         3) Campers will employ teamwork as a way to encourage diversity and cultural understanding

+ Participants will develop their communication, conflict resolution, and decision-making skills

      1) Campers will be able to demonstrate skills needed to practice good communication and to develop healthy relationships

      2) Campers will develop unique strategies for conflict resolution and problem solving

      3) Camp will nurture critical thinking skills such as active listening and creative/artistic expression

+ Participants will evaluate their understanding of gender roles and develop positive views to mitigate the impact of gender inequality

1)   Campers will evaluate gender inequality by dissecting gender roles, meanings, and myths

2)   Campers will be challenged to explore the roles of men in sexism, and avenues to promote responsible social change

+ Participants will be exposed to appropriate environmental stewardship through outdoor activities and education

1)      Campers will identify current risks to the environment and analyze their causes and impacts

2)      Campers will develop innovative strategies to protect the environment

+ Participants will understand the importance of civic engagement at all levels, including family, community, and country, and develop the leadership skills to be positive, contributing members of these groups

1)      Campers will make a contract with themselves to become the leaders of tomorrow by developing their own confidence, respectfulness, and assertiveness

2)      Campers will critique ways of obtaining information—who is the media source, why/how they have information, and whether or not they should be a credible source—by inspecting and comparing Ugandan and international media

+ Ensure experiences and lessons are mutually shared between peers, adult Ugandan counterparts, and Peace Corps Volunteers to guarantee capacity building and sustainability

         1) Further develop volunteerism within the camp by training young men who will one day be leaders within their communities

               2) Encourage Ugandan counselors, stake-holders, and campers to develop youth leadership programs within their communities