By Sharon Purdy
It was another great week at our 5th Annual Life Tools Camp! This year’s camp was held at the Evanston Township High School Transition House where there was access to a full, well-equipped kitchen, plenty of room to plan our days and a comfy living room area for relaxing. Eight campers ranging in age from 16-20 attended camp. While some rekindled old friendships, others made new friends as we spent the week planning and participating in fun, educational activities in the Evanston community.
This year’s camp experience provided opportunities for healthy meal planning, preparation and clean up, grocery shopping, using the internet to plan a trip on public transportation, using the bus system, learning about safety at home and in the community, and much more. The highlight of the week was the camp talent show at the end of the day on Friday. Wow, Life Tools Camp’s got talent!
The group worked together as a team throughout the week supporting each other and building new friendships. Some campers accomplished goals they had set and others learned the importance of adapting when things don’t work as planned. It was a week filled with activity and learning.
Photos from this year's camp will be posted in our web gallery soon.
Read More to get the day-by-day run down...
Each day began with a “Welcome to Camp” activity and a brief introduction to the schedule of the day. We were lucky to have a number of speakers throughout the week who shared their expertise in a variety of areas.
On Monday, CIF friend and Board Co-Chair, Ira, visited and encouraged campers to set goals and stick to them. “Never give up” is one of Ira’s mottos, and he is both a positive role model and an inspiring speaker. After planning meals for the week, the group headed off to the grocery store. Working in groups, campers used their lists and shopped for the items needed to make lunches for the week. By the end of the day, everyone was pretty tired. Some CIF community members served as happy hosts to campers who signed up to spend the night in an apartment with their peers and get a taste of independent living for the first time. There were movies, cooking and walks to local ice cream spots for a cone, or two! Seems everyone slept soundly and enjoyed apartment life.
Tuesday brought a day of “Getting Around” town. A favorite website, GoRoo.com, indicated that the most convenient way to get downtown Evanston was on the bus. So off we went to the Davis St. station where we learned how to load fare cards so we all could get back on the bus when our activities downtown Evanston were completed. Next came lunch and a very informative session at Whole Foods about healthy eating. After a store tour, they sent us home with lots of trail mix for an afternoon snack.
At the end of each day, campers talked about what they’d learned, the people they’d met and how they’d helped us. One of the most important lessons on Tuesday was about asking questions and seeking help as an important step to learning.
Wednesday was Wellness Day. Pat Novak with the Evanston Fire Department and John Martin, a first aid instructor in Evanston answered many questions about safety at home and in the community. The group made lunch together and ate family style at the big table in the Transition House. Then it was time for clean up: dishes, sweeping, and cleaning the table were on the agenda, and it all required teamwork!
On Thursday, camp participants headed by bus to the Evanston Public Library for a scavenger hunt. Library personnel were helpful and able to answer questions or tell participants where and how to find the answers. Everyone enjoyed the cool quiet morning in the library; some spent time reading interesting books or magazines. Then it was back to the Transition House to make lunch, play a few games, and spend some time planning Friday’s activities.
We had hopes to go to Old Orchard on Friday but sometimes things don’t work out as planned. Instead of the mall, the group planned another trip into downtown Evanston for Fun and Talents Friday. Yet another bus trip, but this time it was planned entirely by the campers. The staff looked on as informed campers found the bus schedule on-line, figured out how much money was needed on the fare cards, and used the internet to plan the day. Seems everyone can always find room for ice cream! The Grand Finale was the afternoon talent show where everyone had a chance to shine!
For more information about Life Tools Camp, contact Margaret Tanenberg at 847-328-2044.
Photos from this year's camp will be posted in our web gallery soon.