Twin Lakes Youth Culture Camp 2005
From July 11th through July 29th, 2005 youth from all over the reservation came together to participate in cultural and recreational activities at the Twin Lakes Youth Culture Camp in Inchelium, WA. The ages of the participants ranged from 7 years to 14 years old, and a total of 90 participants were divided into three sessions. The first session was made up of 44 participants; the second session had 35, and the final and smallest group, 11.
The language program stayed busy each week facilitating activities such as: shield making, painting sticks and bones, basket weaving, sewing moccasins, beading chokers and bracelets etc., while other events such as basketball, huckleberry picking, coloring camp T-shirts, water balloon games, and swimming were lead by the Youth Camp and other tribal staff.
For extra fun, Rick Desautel and Aaron Carden taught archery skills, Lawanna Hoffman showed the youth how to make Dream Catchers, Darren Cawston did a short flute demonstration , and Rob Laramie, Pugs Holford, Spud LeaderCharge, Tony Stensgar, Tim Hoffman, Joanna Fry, Chawala Fry, Darren Lucht, and Joel Boyd of Inchelium Forestry stopped by and demonstrated various forestry skills and techniques. Trudi Zaugg documented all of these events by taking digital photos which were printed and posted throughout each week.
In additional to all of the other events & activities, the language program gathered and prepared a pit cook each week which was feasted on at the conclusion of each session. Turkey, roasts, ribs, potatoes, and moss were just some of the traditional foods they prepared, while Lawanna Hoffman and Francie Charette pitched in with salads and other trimmings.
The 2005 Twin Lakes Youth Culture Camp’s staff included: Sonia Zaugg, Camp Coordinator, Tammy Marchand, Camp Assistant, Lawanna Hoffman, Head Cook; Francie Charette, Assistant Cook, Chris Aiken and Louis Boyd, Boys Dorm Counselors; Shelby Mason and Bernadette Agapith, Girls Dorm Counselors; Anthony Gocken, Lifeguard, Kayla Flett, Samma Dick, Robbie Ferguson and Angel Swan, TANF youth workers; and Ryan Ellsworth, Karlene Stensgar and LeeEtta Laramie, CCT Employment and Training youth workers.
Employees, Interns and youth workers from the Language Program were: Sharon Covington, Karen Condon, Marlene Poulson, Mary Poulson, Elizabeth Poulson, Mark Davis, Mercedes Vasquez, Audi Huckins, Jewie Davis, Paulette Manuel, Taylor Gallagher, Caleb Bierle, Mason Sutton, Kevin Manual, Melissa Campobasso, Ernie Brooks and Ken Condon.
The camp sends special thanks out to Sharon Covington, for assisting with filling out vouchers, contracts, etc., the Tribal EMT’s and police officers who had to come up and assist with some minor injuries, and Fatso Seymour, Don Morris and Lance Polvimena from Public Works who helped in getting the youth camp facility ready to go.
This fall the TLYCC staff will be raffling off a quilt, T-shirts and a few other items which will have pictures of the employees and participants engaging in some of this years events. Proceeds from this raffle will be put into an account to assist with expenses for next year’s TLYCC supplies, maintenance and activities.
For more information about the 2005 Twin Lakes Youth Culture Camp, please contact Sonia Zaugg, Camp Coordinator at (509) 722-7614.
By: Trudi Zaugg
Omak Summer Success Academy and Emerging Leaders Camp July 22-25th at Camp Disautel
A collaborative effort between the Omak School District and several community partners kicked off Omak Summer Success Academy and Emerging Leaders Camp July 22-25th at Camp Disautel.
This collaboration provides a model for how community agencies and school districts can combine funds and energy to support youth. Recruitment and participation by community partners contributed to the higher enrollment and rich experience provided to participating youth.
29 young people from Omak and Okanogan convened at Omak High School for a barbeque Friday afternoon and then boarded the bus for the ride up to “Camp D” as it is fondly called. Upon arrival the students were randomly divided into teams and the weekend’s theme of, “Survivor” was established with the first challenge being to come up with a team name and flag. The losers were not voted off the island- however, kitchen duty proved to be the incentive to win the next challenge.
Teamwork, leadership, goal setting, communication, healthy choices, and creativity were experienced and explored through experiential learning activities lead by Omak school educators and community partners. Omak High School John Belcher explained the, “Belief Triangle” and students reflected and set goals about how their beliefs and actions were shaping their experiences.
As well as learning experiences, the young people provided service to the community by painting picnic tables and benches, cleaning up the surroundings, and making and erecting signs for the campgrounds. (see attached photo)
Student feedback from Camp “D” was overwhelmingly positive some direct student quotes follow:
-- What was best part of camp experience...
“Being treated like an adult”
--What will you do different because of this experience....
“Knowing that at least one cool person at my school will probably help me try to go to school more
--What suggestions do you have for counselors to increase participation by students....
“Nothing, they did better then anyone who as ever tried with me before”
The idea for Omak Summer Success Academy and Emerging Leaders grew out the work of several community members and organizations in partnership with the Omak Schools. John Belcher- Omak High School Principle, Bob Risinger, Omak School District Superintendent, Racie McKee-Community Schools Director, Clover Simon of Okanogan Family Planning, Roni Holder-Diefenbach of Career Path Services, Crystal Fowler of Okanogan Behavioral Health, and Lori Northcott of WSU Extension in partnership with the Horizons Community project.
The common thread that ties all of these community partners together is a focus on healthy, successful youth. Beginning the week of August 1, the students and community partners reconvened at Omak High School for three more weeks of success building in academics, leadership, and community involvement. Along with traditional academics there will be a college tour to Eastern Washington University, learning style assessments, goal setting, and much more- with the entire event culminating with Rock’ n the Rez a youth focused group from the Coeur d’Alene Tribe who will focus on leadership and empowerment of young people through the performing arts. Watch for more information to attend this performance by the students on August 27th at the PAC. County youth not involved in Summer Success Academy are invited to participate in the Rock n the Rez Friday August 26th for more information and to sign up contact Roni Holder-Diefenbach at Career Path Services 826-2417.
