By Kelly Husted | Project leader
During the 2011-2012 school year, over 600 high school students from schools throughout the Bay Area attended Camp Everytown. Additionally, we have initiated follow-up programs with three high schools to support them in spreading the Camp Everytown messages of respect and acceptance throughout their high school.
Here’s the story of one of our Camp Alums, who returned twice this year as a Camp Counselor:
As a young child, Colby suffered from abuse and had been placed in the foster care system. As he got older, he “…felt alone and angry. I would get into fights for no good reason.” When he was a high school sophomore, Colby was chosen by one of his teachers to attend our Camp Everytown program, a four-day retreat where students learn to replace prejudice and hate with respect and appreciation.
“Camp Everytown had a huge impact on my life. I realized I was not the only one who had been a victim or had anger issues. Camp helped me to get to know people for who they are on the inside, not just the outside. For the first time, I saw how words and actions could really hurt others. After Camp, I had much more empathy for others. Violence no longer seemed the answer to fix things since it would just lead to more violence.”
Colby will soon graduate from San Jose State University with a degree in Criminal Justice. He wanted to return to Everytown this year as a Camp Counselor to help today’s high school students learn what he did.
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