The Oakville Beaver, Friday May 5, 2006 - 19 Y wilderness camps sprovide special experience for youths T here is a totally different camp experience out there for our youth. A quiet paddle on a clear river. A jump from a rock into a still pool. Stories around a fire. Starry skies. This is what ROAM (Recreational Outreach Adolescent Mentoring) camp is all about at the YMCA of Oakville. For the fourth year, the Y will run a set of unique wilderness camp and canoe trips for kids age 9-18 years. Steve Turner, Coordinator of the YMCA of Oakville Adventure Centre and certified wilderness instructor, calls ROAM something very different. "ROAM is an eye-opening experience for kids who haven't had the opportunity to camp before. There are parents who don't want to, or just are not able to camp with their families but they recognize the value of the camping experience. ROAM leaders make sure that the kids have a positive experience," said Turner. Youth who choose ROAM camps learn lifeskills like trip-planning and organization. They work as part of a team to determine who will do what, and help plan the route for the trip. They learn to plan and cook meals in the outdoors, and are responsible for their own belongings. Kids don't just learn new skills, they make new friends and important connections. "Something happens out there in the quiet. Everything slows down and our campers really feel the confidence and acceptance that the whole experience offers...and it pours over into the rest of their lives," said Steve. ROAM offers three options for Oakville youth: ROAM Junior - a 5-day program for children aged 9 to 12 which includes a 3-day overnight trip to a local conservation area; ROAM Senior - a 5 day program of wilderness camping for the older camper aged 12 to 15; and ROAM Leader Training for youth aged 14 to 18. ROAM Leader is new this year and is a 9 day leadership and skills program which includes a 7 day camping, kayaking and canoeing trip in the spectacular Kawartha region. "ROAM Leader offers youth the chance to explore the wilderness and take on new responsibilities perhaps leading to a future as a camp guide. They will be challenged to develop many skills, from paddling to navigation," said Turner. "The bottom line is that ROAM kids feel great about themselves and their abilities when they come home. They have been on a real adventure and they have learned some amazing new skills - it can be a lifechanging experience," he said. Visit the Camp Open House on Sunday, May 14 from 12- 3 p.m. at the YMCA of Oakville, 410 Rebecca St. We will answer your questions about camp, while your kids meet their counselors and are entertained with crafts and games. Don't miss out Y Summer Camps have lots to offer and fill up quickly! Before and After Camp Care and Bussing is available for selected camps. For more information about YMCA of Oakville Summer Camps, or to register, call 905-845-3417, or go to www.ymcaofoakville.com. -- Submitted by the Oakville Y. MAY IS BETTER HEARING & SPEECH MONTH and Audiologists Norm Mele and Lori Montcalm invite you to their OPEN HOUSE on May 16, 2006 Lori Montcalm Audiologist M.S. Aud. (c) CORRECTION NOTICE To our valued customers: We apologize for any inconvenience caused by an error in our flyer dated: April 28-May4. Product: Office Small Business Edition 2003. This software was advertised for $299.99 on p. 5 of our April 28th flyer and on p. 20 of our May 5th flyer. In fact, this price is for the upgrade version only. SKU: 10057003/10018792 in our Burlington Office located at Lakeview Plaza 5353 Lakeshore Road East. Norm Mele Audiologist M.S. Aud. (c) The Conservation Zone by Peter Love, Chief Energy Conservation Officer of Ontario We will be featuring two new hearing aid products, the Delta and the Safran from Oticon so you can try Hearing Better first hand. Check out these products at www.hearingaudiologyclinic.com and go to our resource page and click on Oticon. Please phone Lise at 905-681-8977 and let us know you are interested in trying these new products. Or drop in to get more information on Better Hearing. LOOK FOR Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00 am - 4:30 pm Closed for lunch 12 noon - 1 pm Montcalm Audiology & Hearing Aid Services Ltd. 5353 Lakeshore Rd. E. #10, Burlington Calling All Ontarians: Take the "10% by 2007" Challenge In Ontario, we can no longer take our energy supply for granted. As the old saying goes, "A penny saved is a penny earned." True yesterday, true today, and true tomorrow. And so it goes that a kilowatt saved is also a kilowatt that doesn't have to be generated. 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