Posted: 9/13/06
Boys Adventure Camp was a success
 Boy Scouts Mark Hudon and Kevin Salmela pose with their groups next to a survival shelter that they constructed at the Outdoor Adventure Boys Camp 2006. |
Ask any one of the twenty-five boys that attended the Lakes Area Youth Service Bureauís Outdoor Adventure Camp what they liked most and youíd likely get twenty-five different answers.
From boating and fishing to making fires and cooking on them, the boys experienced a summerís worth of outdoor activities in an action-packed four day camp.
This yearís camp was held at Camp Lakamaga in Marine, Minn. This beautiful site provided the campers with a secluded and nature-filled environment while still being able to offer a host of modern activities.
One of the boyís favorite parts of using Camp Lakamaga was the ability to go fishing every day.
ìMatt, did you see that big bass DeVante caught? It was huge!î exclaimed an excited camper.
Worms disappeared, bobbers dipped under the water continuously. Many of the campers mastered some of the necessary skills needed for fishing like putting a worm on, taking a fish off the hook and setting bobber depth.
Another highlight came when volunteer Joe Grafft, a current Youth Service Bureau board member, recreated realistic injuries using a Hollywood caliber plastics and special effects kit. With fake blood dripping and pretend bones sticking out, the boys learned how to splint an arm, apply pressure to stop bleeding and take all necessary precautions to deliver quality medical services in a wilderness setting.
Joe and fellow certified wilderness instructor Steve ìMooseî Hallin, taught the boys how to survive in the wilderness, make good decisions as a part of a team and use conflict resolution skills.
This year participants took before and after surveys to help gauge any changes that may have taken place in them as a result of their camp experience. Hereís what they reported.
On average a:
30% increase in their knowledge of outdoor skills
40% increase in how much they think they will use outdoor skills in their lives
10% increase in how much they like themselves
10% increase in their willingness to try new things
10% increase in how well they think they work with others on a team
This was Boys Adventure Campís fifth successful year and judging from these results and the looks on the kidís faces at the end of each day, it wonít be the last!
The Youth Service Bureau would like to thank Laidlaw busing company, Camp Lakamaga and all our adult and youth volunteers for helping to make this camp possible. A special thank you goes out to RiverBank ñ Wyoming for their financial contribution from the RiverBucks community giving program.
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