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# 1 YMCA MISSION
”To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.”
This is a great mission, a noble mission, and a challenging mission, and these are wonderful words. But what do they really mean? And what do they mean for you?
What will your personal mission be this summer? What will you focus yourself, your time, your energy, your attention and your abilities on this summer?
We invite you to spend some time thinking about these things, and perhaps even write a personal mission statement, of how you can put these principles into action this summer.
The example that you live and show to children and staff this summer will have an impact, perhaps more of an impact than you will even be aware of. If the children see that you respect yourself and others and strive to live a well-balanced life, that you pay attention to taking care of your body, to educating and using your mind, and to feeding and nurturing your spirit, they will want to follow your example. And equally important, if they see that you really care about them and are honest with them, and that you are responsible and take your responsibilities seriously, they will learn something from you about how to be caring, honest and responsible persons themselves.
THE FOUR CORE YMCA VALUES: HONESTY RESPECT CARING RESPONSIBILITY
We could say that these are universal values for humankind, ones which are found in most, if not all cultures around the world, in one form or another. If we combine these four core YMCA values, we will find that, together, they express what is contained in the Golden Rule: We should treat others the way that we would want them to treat us.
Can you imagine what our world would be like if each person who says that he or she believes in a Supreme Being actually dedicated their life to following the Golden Rule?
ICCP
The YMCA International Camp Counselor Program, which is recognized by the U.S. government, was founded in 1959 as a cultural exchange program, and is today administered by the International YMCA, a part of the YMCA of Greater New York.
ICCP actually has its roots in The Experiment for International Living, one of the United States’ earliest international exchange program organizations. The Experiment was founded in 1932 when 23 young Americans sailed to Europe under the direction of Dr. Donald B. Watt, himself an active YMCA member, volunteer and director.
Today, ICCP places more than 2000 participants from more than 80 countries in summer camps in the U.S. As an ICCP participant this summer, you are going to be part of a great tradition, and will be following in the footsteps of others who have helped to make our program what it is today. You are going to be ”wearing several hats” this summer, as both an ambassador of your country and culture, and also as a representative of the ICCP program.
As the official sponsor of your stay in the U.S. this summer, we sincerely hope that you will wear those hats proudly, responsibly and with integrity in all that you say and do. You could be the first person from your country that the children in the camp where you will be working have ever met, and you are going to make a lasting impression on them. The impressions that you make, the choices you make and the actions you take this summer may affect the opportunities for future ICCPers from your country to participate in our program.
A cultural exchange . . . . . an exchange of cultures . . . . what does that really mean? What will you be bringing with you that represents and shows your culture? What will you be sharing with others about your culture, way of life and unique window on the world ? And what will you be receiving from others, and taking back with you, at the end of your summer adventure? It is not too early to begin brainstorming and making up a list of small, interesting things that show different aspects of your culture. You will find a list of suggestions of what you could bring, in the packing and preparation section.
Quiz # 1 YMCA Mission/Values
Please answer to the following questions:
1. What is the mission of the YMCA?
2. What are the four core values of the YMCA?
3. What does ICCP stands for?
4. Who or what will you be representing this summer, as an ICCP participant?
5. What are your personal ”Core Values” and where do they come from?
Keeping A Journal
You can provide your participants at the beginning of their orientation experience with an invitation to explore their own personal life journey and cultural/linguistic heritage, and also ask them to think about keeping a written log in which they write down their observations and the learning process they are about to begin this summer, through the means of keeping a journal.
One way to encourage this is to suggest or ask that everyone bring a separate notebook or journal with them to the orientation, in which to begin recording their own insights, questions, concerns and experiences. If they begin writing these down at orientation, and understand the value of keeping a journal, there is a better chance they will continue this useful discipline over the course of their summer experience in the U.S., and hopefully, beyond.
Ideally, keeping a personal journal should be a daily exercise, done at night before going to bed. The participant might find it easier to write in his or her native language, for ease of expression and also to ensure privacy. The reality of the busy summer camp schedule can make it a real challenge for staff to find a few minutes at the end of their day to write in their journal. However, it is possible, and it is well worth the time and effort. Some participants might say that they had tried to keeping a journal previously, but could never think of anything to write, or felt that what they had written was unimportant and not worth recording.
Here are some questions which might be helpful to participants who find journal writing a challenge:
- What was the highlight of my day today? - What is something important that I learned today? - What was I able to teach someone else today, and how did I accomplish that? - What is something that I struggled with today? - What is something that I didn’t understand today, and what do I want to do about it? - What is something that I did well today, and feel proud of? - What is something about today that I am grateful for? - What challenges did I face today, and how did I deal with them? - What is something that I need to let go of/release before going to sleep tonight, so that I can begin a new day tomorrow, afresh? - What did I give, and what did I receive today? ACTIVITY # 1 Keeping a Journal
Develop and write down in your journal, your own personal mission statement.
This might include the goals you wish to set for yourself this summer, and how you would like to put the YMCA mission and four core values into practice as an ICCP participant at your camp.
It might be useful to try to find someone at your camp you respect and trust to share your personal mission statement with. You can ask this person to meet with you once or twice during the summer to help you assess how you are doing with your mission statement, and to offer you support and guidance toward fulfilling it.
Activity # 2 A letter to self:
You can invite each participant to write a letter to him/herself at the end of the orientation, seal it in a self-addressed stamped envelope, and give it to you. At the end of the summer, when the participant returns home, you will mail the sealed letter back to him/her.
In the letter the participant writes down whatever dreams, goals, aspirations, desires, fears, concerns and questions he or she has before going abroad for the summer, and what expectations he or she has for him/herself this summer. |