Camp GLOW

At the fist ever camp GLOW to be hosted in Uganda I was a proud camp counselor of the Gorillas. I, along with my co-councilor Susan, was in charge of 10 girls. There were a total of 16 groups all with approximately 10-12 girls in each. Every group had a unique African animal as their mascot, mine were the Gorillas. This was a week long camp with a very intensive schedule. There were 3 directors, 3 media specialists, 10 staff members and 24 counselors. Arrival began on Sunday, December 5th 2010. Upon arrival, each camper had to fill out a pre camp questionnaire and register where they received their shirt, name tag, dorm assignment and group. When everyone arrived we all conducted team building activities and got to know our group members. We took dinner and talked, then met on the field to discuss an overview of the week and go over rules. Monday-Friday the schedule resembled this structure: Wake up call and bathing took place from 6-7:00am; 7-7:45am breakfast and group reflection; 7:45-8:00am morning message; 8-9:00am Sessions (lifeskills, teamwork, arts and crafts, GLOWing, healthy living); 9:10-10:10am Sessions (lifeskills, teamwork, arts and crafts, GLOWing, healthy living); 10:20-10:50am break tea; 11-11:30am Dear (drop everything and read); 11:40-12:40pm Sessions (lifeskills, teamwork, arts and crafts, GLOWing, healthy living); 2-3:00pm Talk from a woman speaker; 3:10-4:10pm Sessions (lifeskills, teamwork, arts and crafts, GLOWing, healthy living); 4:20-5:20pm Sessions (lifeskills, teamwork, arts and crafts, GLOWing, healthy living); 5:30-6:30pm Free time (chosen from a list of activities such as a nature walk, how to make friendship bracelets, dancing, etc.; 6:30-7:30pm dinner/bathing/cleanup; 7:30-8:00pm free time/journaling; 8-10:00pm group activity (game night, movie night, campfire, talent show). Through out the week, each group was to attend the 5 sessions each day but obviously at different times so that about 3 groups would be in one session at a time. There were many wonderful sessions that the girls were able to attend. Some of these included: making a money jar and talking about savings, gender roles, reproductive health and the menstrual cycle, how to be a good friend, put on the condom relay race, taking care of your body and puberty, what is sex, self defense, painting, HIV and stigma, HIV transmission, goal setting, the human knot, picture yourself in 10 years, HIV truths and myths, malaria, public speaking, blindfolded obstacles, developing Uganda and carrying on information (bringing it back to the community), water and food sanitation. I taught the session of ‘We GLOW with goals”. Myself, along with my Ugandan counterpart, explained the difference between a goal, a dream and daily choices. We discussed the different types of goals one could have (learning something new, beating an old habit, etc.). We then discussed SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, time bound) goals. We went over each in much depth. Finally, we talked about how setting goals affects outcomes (choice, effort, persistence, state of mind), how to best stay committed and the process for achieving goals. We passed out a worksheet to each camper and gave them adequate time to complete it and if there was time, some had the opportunity to share with the rest of the class. The worksheet had two columns: one for short term goals and one for long term. The campers had to identify one short term and a long term goal and then for each goal they had to answer the following questions: the benefits in reaching my goal, what might stand in my way, what do I need to learn or do, who will encourage me, plans of action- steps I will take, completion date. All of the campers were open and participated enthusiastically. I loved teaching this session! Throughout the whole camp, the councilors were to stay with their campers at all times except for free time. I had an amazing group of girls. It took some time for some of the girls to open up but it was a great feeling when they did. I am thankful for the opportunity to have watched my campers arrive as scared and unsure girls and leave as open, confident and happy women. Can you imagine having never left your village your whole life and then traveling, for some, all the way across Uganda to spend a week with 150 girls whom you had never before met? My gorillas were extremely well behaved co councilor was amazing. We had a blast and I only had to discipline some of my girls but one time. I think my favorite part was when we had a cheer off and out of 16 groups my girls won first! It was a lot of work but I was so sad when it had come to an end. Some of my girls wrote me letters that made me cry they were so sweet. We had a great closing ceremony and then danced the night away. The next day all the girls went back to their respective villages. I am very thankful for the opportunity to have had such a meaningful role in the camp and wish Peace Corps Uganda the best of luck in regards to hosting another successful camp GLOW.