News

Good things happen
SAD 15 students attend leadership camp
By Jeanne Adams

On October 25, all 153 fifth grade students from Dunn School will set off for a long weekend adventure at Camp Susan Curtis in Stoneham. The adventure is really attendance at a Leadership Camp, a hands-on activity designed to enhance Maine Learning Results and Dunn School curriculum.

The students' leadership development at the camp will include low ropes course, high ropes course, teambuilding activities, communications and skills workshops and of course, fun. Environmental education will include canoe and water ecology, 1.2 mile nature trail scavenger hunt, orienteering, and maps and compass hike.

Dunn School Fifth Grade Team Leader Mr. Haskell said, "We're trying to build community in each classroom. We can learn to settle differences, learn respect, appreciate individual strengths and weaknesses." These skills can be gained through leadership and team-building exercises at the camp.
Camp Coordinator and Dunn School Guidance Counselor Sue Martin and Mr. Haskell have worked since last spring to make the program happen. Funding is provided through a Federal Title 4A Grant for Safe and Drug Free Schools and a H.O.M.E. grant. Thanks to the grant, families will only pay $5 per student to cover the higher than projected cost of fuel.

"We can bring the learning back into all areas of the school," said Haskell. Ms. Martin, Mr. Haskell, every 5th grade teacher, and several staff members including Principal Beasley, Guidance Counselor Jori Rynberg, computer teacher Kent Pelkey, phys. ed instructor Jeff Stevenson, art teacher Steve Grannell , several ed techs and special ed staff. will attend. Above, Camp Susan Curtis Leadership mentors from GNG High School. These students will be donating their time to help their younger brethren during the 3-day camp. The Monument: Jeanne Adams photo

Eighteen high school students have stepped up to volunteer their time and work at the camp with the younger students. These eighteen high school students are from the Gray New Gloucester High School Big Brother & Big Sister program are participating as counselors and co-facilitators of activities. "Without the willingness of these high-school students to give back to their own elementary schools and community, this project would not be possible. Two of the volunteers are long time CSC campers and are now summer staff," said Camp Susan Curtis Director Pat Carson.

The high schoolers will partner with a teacher and act as counselors, sleeping in the cabins and staying with their group over the three day camp. Mr. Carson said their job is to assist the younger students in activities by providing help and encouragement. One student asked if they were going to do this next year, too. Mr. Carson said that he was depending on this group and challenged them with coming together as a team and providing a good experience for these kids.

Mr. Carson said, "When High School students take on a role of mentoring and role-modeling, they become more caring individuals, help a younger generation, and have a great impact on the community and school spirit." Mr. Haskell and Ms. Martin are excited about the teens' participation, "It creates a connection from one [school] building to another. They model back to our kids. They can think about the possibilities."

The skills that the students will put into practice at Leadership Camp will help them transition into Middle School next year. "They will be in a better position to deal with it. They can say, 'I'm alright'" as they move into a new situation, Mr. Haskell said. "It's not a one time thing," said Haskell, because the Camp staff will visit the school twice to reinforce the team-building lessons. Sue Martin wrapped up the interview, "This is an opportunity for kids to feel capable and acknowledge each other as people. They can have a sense of belonging and when you feel like you belong, good things happen."

Sidebar :

About Camp Susan Curtis

In 1970, when Kenneth Curtis was Governor of Maine, he and his wife Pauline lost their oldest daughter Susan to cystic fibrosis. She was 11 years old. Wanting to make her tragedy more meaningful, Governor, Curtis and his wife established the camp. Since then nearly 11,000 children have attended Camp Susan Curtis from every county in Maine. www.susancurtisfoundation.org

Photo captions: Guidance Counselor Susan Martin knows the value of the camp to GNG kids.

In the summer, Camp Susan Curtis works with schools to provide a summer camp experience to low income children. Director Pat Carson said that, "Sue Martin the Guidance Counselor at Dunn has been one of our best referral sources sending over 45 children from the district over the past 10 years."

Teens photo caption: Justin wanted to make sure there were enough nighttime snacks, and Augusta wondered if she could bring her iPod. Brittany asked if the teens had to go to bed when the kids did at 8:30. But the students didn't question the importance of their role during Camp. They are motivated by a sincere desire to help the younger kids. The teens, partnered with Dunn School teachers, will be the camp counselors. Some of the 18 students include: (from front to back): James Wiley, Brittany Randall Brittany Plapis, Justin Parsons, Augusta Hahnel, Jamie Cruz, Andrea Harmon, Camp Director Pat Carson. They are all students from the Big Brothers, Big Sisters Program at GNG High School. Just so you know, Justin can bring extra snacks, iPods are okay, but after lights out, and Carson told the teens that they will be so active with the fifth graders that "You will be asking if you can go to bed at 8:30".