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Service
Caring ... Honesty ... Respect ... Responsibility
Camp Echo Values Character Building through Service
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One of Camp Echo's seven goals for campers is "To Give Back" and one of the YMCA's core values is "Responsibility."
Campers engage in age-appropriate service activities that benefit camp and the local community.
To help campers achieve this goal, Camp Echo provides daily service opportunities as well as the option to do larger service projects either on or off camp property.
The daily schedule includes time for routine service tasks and encourages every camper to participate in the "Adopt a Pathway" program.
Some groups, particuarly older cabins and teen programs, choose to do a larger service project that requires more time and group commitment.
Whether campers are completing a simple service task or a large project, they learn that when people participate in efforts to support the larger community it makes the world a better place.
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Service Tasks and "Adopt a Pathway" Program at Camp Echo
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Every morning after breakfast, cabin groups complete a different service task.
Service tasks help to keep the entire camp clean and running smoothly.
The tasks include, but are not limited to:
Grounds East and West - picking up litter from the the peninsula
Dining Hall Porch - sweeping the deck and the steps, shaking the mats
Courts - sweeping, putting the benches along the wall
Social Lodge - sweeping, arranging benches, and picking up litter
Waterfront Areas - raking, sweeping, straightening the lifejackets
Kybos (Bath Houses) - picking up lost & found, sweeping
Waiters - setting and clearing their cabin's table
Cabin Cleanup - sweeping and tidying their cabin and porch
In addition to a daily service task, each cabin group participates in the "Adopt a Pathway" program.
Each cabin is assigned to a physical area or path at Camp Echo near or on the way to their cabin.
The campers in that cabin are encourged to keep their area or path clean and free of litter on a regular basis,
or to set aside a specific time when the cabin can work to improve the appearance of their area or path.
These assignments do not change; as campers grow older and move through the cabins they experience different areas.
By participating in the daily service task or simply picking up a piece of litter from their "pathway," campers are learning to contribute to the well-being of their community.
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Service Projects at Camp Echo
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Some cabin groups take a particular interest in service and choose to complete a service project during their stay at camp.
These projects often require several hours of work and have a lasting impact on camp.
Some examples of past service projects include:
Team Elements Course - Creating signs and directions to each element
Point Overnight Site - Clearing the site and building the fire pit
The Extreme Bike Trail - Laying chips on the trail to guide avid bikers
The Tree House Overnight Site - Built by the Echo Service Corps
In the summer of 2007, the Session 3 Explorers group planned and carried out a service project to benefit the World Wildlife Fund.
The partipants prepared and sold cookies to the rest of camp during a special evening event; they also accepted donations.
The group raised $1,114.80!
This amazing project had a direct impact on the conservation mission of the World Wildlife Fund.
Each service project is recognized with a small plaque in the Dining Hall.
As campers return to camp year after year, they are reminded of the lasting impact they have made at Echo and feel proud of working towards a common goal.
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Service Learning Experiences
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Some of our teen participants, particularly our Voyagers program, focus on service not only at Camp Echo, but also within the Fremont Community.
These groups spend a morning, afternoon, or an entire day with a Fremont community organization.
Traditionally, Voyagers spend a day with Habitat for Humanity and build or refurbish homes for grateful and deserving residents.
Other teen programs have worked with the Empowerment Network where they spent time helping and bonding with senior citizens in local community.
These opportunities provide valuable learning experiences during which participants reach out and make a lasting impact in the broader Fremont community.
Once the benefits of service have sparked their interest, counselors encourage participants to continue their service and form a habit of giving back to every community in which they reside.
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Summer Camp & Teen Trips
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