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28 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday April 20, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Y Wilderness Camp is a learning experience for youth E very year for the past five years, the YMCA of Oakville has sent young people out into the wilderness of Ontario to build a fire, make a tent and learn so much about themselves and others. Following are comments from two youths who have both participated in, and then volunteered as leaders for, the YMCA Wilderness Camp programs. The words of Faye Williams, 16, and Carter Hemington, 15, say it all. What is your favourite memory of Y Wilderness Camp? Faye: "I loved swimming in the waterfall in the Kawartha Lakes, and, believe it or not, my favourite memories come BBQ GAS LINES AND NATURAL GAS PIPING FOR DRYERS, KITCHEN RANGES, UNDER GROUND PIPING FOR POOL HEATERS, PATIO GAS HEATERS, PATIO FIREPLACES. Problem Solving since 1982 Experience is the difference! E-MAIL: scott@gasfix.ca from the long portages through the mud." Carter: "My favourite memory of camp was early in the morning when the whole lake is like a piece of glass, and the fog is swirling over it. You just can't get anything like that in the city." What was the biggest challenge for you? Faye: "The biggest challenge was, at first, endurance: canoeing all day; portaging, etc. But now that I'm over that it's encouraging others to contribute and be part of the team." Carter: "The biggest challenge was probably learning how to cook with Steve, but it was also the most fun. Everything he cooks tastes great." How do you think that Wilderness Camp helped you to grow the most? Faye: "Camp has given me a lot of confidence. Steve's trips are long and sometimes gruelling but at the end you BARRIE ERSKINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER WILDERNESS LEADERS: Teen wilderness camp leaders (front row, l-r) Faye Williams, Steve Turner Child and Youth leader, (back row, l-r) Carter Hemington and Brandon Moffat practice carrying a canoe, while being followed by Nero. have some great stories to tell." Carter: "The thing that helped me grow the most was the fact that the leaders treated us like adults and respected us." What skills did you learn? Faye: "Teamwork, communication, co-operation and problem solving are just some of the skills we put to use at camp. Everyone is disconnected from the distractions of society and so we depend on each other. I became certified at canoe tripping, sea kayaking and lakewater level 1." Carter: "Some skills that I learned at camp are: how to cook, how to make a fire, canoeing, kayaking, and how to purify lake water. The most important thing that I learned at camp was how to work as a team. If you know that someone is better than you at a particular skill, and you ask them to help, things can be done more quickly and efficiently." What did you learn about leadership? Faye: "Camp brings out the best and worst in people and it lets you figure out what kind of leader you are and what you should do to become better. Arguing gets you nowhere. Also at camp you come to realize how much you take for granted back home, so that while you live in the beautiful outdoors you aim for minimal impact on the environment. I learned how important it was to share this knowledge in order to lead others into protecting the environment as well." To give a youth a chance to grow this summer, call the Y at 905-845-3417, or go on-line to www.ymcaofoakville.com and search for Summer Camp/Wilderness Camp. -- Submitted by the Oakville Y 905-845-0701 Celebrity European Engineering Combined With Traditional Workmanship Electric Bicycles · Roadsters · Scooters The New Cycle of Your Life! "Building on the Brightest Ideas Around Glass" 905.849.0266 RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AWNINGS, CANOPIES, PORTABLE SHADE STRUCTURES for a leisurely ride enjoy at the cottage. They are street legal y g and a lot of fun. No ff driver's licence & no nsurance required. Come In Today For A FREE Test Ride! 4280 Harvester Rd., Burlington Wed.-Fri. 10-6 Sat. 10-5 Sun., 12-5 Enjoy the outdoors relaxing under a Sunguard awning manufactured with your choice of fade proof Sunbrella fabric, and powered by a reliable Somfy remote controlled motor. South of QEW between Appleby & Walker's Line sr r TM Call or visit our showroom at: 4090 Ridgeway Dr. #10, Mississauga 905-569-8566 www.sunguardawnings.com Mon.-Fri. 9:30am to 5pm, Sat 10:00am to 3pm 905-634-7444 " d other weight loss programs only to put it all b ow lost 99 lbs., 47 inches off my tummy, waist & hed my goal wieght of 143 lbs. & started my Lifestyle Program. dividual program based on comprehensive blood tests & tests & your medical history, followed up with personal consultations, make sure you can lose weight & keep it off! SureSlim Oakville 2387 Trafalgar Road (Trafalgar Ridge Plaza) SureSlim Mississauga 3035 Argentia Road (Southwest corner of Hwy. 401 and Winston Churchill, in the Supercentre by Starbucks) 905-257-1102 · oakville@sureslim.ca 905-286-4949 · mississauga@sureslim.ca "