Hey JB
Canada!
A
few weeks ago, we (CISV Ottawa) held our annual 14+ Winter Camp. We had
representatives from 5 chapters, including 2 countries (Sweden and Canada).
We’re a self-run camp where we work together to create meals, activities,
schedule etc.
Soon
after arriving to camp we were forced to alter our planned sleeping
arrangements due to the -37° temperature.
After
getting ourselves organized, JB Ottawa ran an activity about
#FirstWorldProblems (originally run by CISV Victoria at their 2013 Fall Camp).
We put
our own spin on it to match the 14+ age group and camp. This now brings
us to the theme: MAD LIBS! Write Your Own Story. With this year's
international theme being Diversity, we thought Madlibs would be perfect to
showcase how unique everyone’s' stories are and to empower us to create the
story we wish to live. We also discussed in multiple debriefs how some people
don't have the privilege to control very much of their story. This led to
our Word Of Camp being "subaltern". “Subaltern is the social
group who is socially, politically, and geographically outside of the hegemonic
power structure of the colony and of the colonial homeland.” -Wikipedia
This
basically means the people who worked hard on a project (like building a
railway for example) but are given no credit. Popular topics in
conversation and activities this year were human rights, poverty, immigration,
and the subaltern.
Speaking
of activities, we had some really good ones - a nice mix of outdoor, indoor,
fun-based, debrief and a simulation activities, the latter led many (especially
the LJRs) to tears, as well as lots of self-reflection and peer support.
Thank you
everyone for writing winter camp so well and I hope to see you (and new faces)
next year!
-Capri
& Troy (LJRs), Ottawa
PS -
Here’s a little taste of winter camp http://youtu.be/wGioSREVqkI
