Before Oakes and his sister Indigo went to Camp POSTCARD, neither had been away from home. So naturally when their mom, Jenny suggested the idea of a sleep-away camp, both kids – who are 12 and 10 respectively – were nervous. But as is often the case, not long after they arrived for the week-long adventure, the two siblings settled in and began to have the time of their lives!
Camp POSTCARD is a free week-long summer camp designed to benefit 5th and 6th graders from the Denver/Aurora metro area who demonstrate leadership skills and might not otherwise be able to afford such an experience. For many of the campers, like Oakes and Indigo, this represents their first camp experience. This popular and successful VOA Colorado program builds strong, positive adult/youth relationships and provides valuable life skills that serve the campers, their families, and their communities. The experience provides a safe environment that stresses ideas, values, and the importance of role models.
There is also a bit of a “twist” to Camp POSTCARD. One way that the program establishes trusted bonds between youth and their lead counselors, is that the counselors happen to be law enforcement officers and emergency personnel from the Denver metro area. This surprise, however, is not revealed to the campers until the final day of camp.
While that big discovery was “so cool,” according to Oakes, and “totally crazy” according to Indigo, there were many other things about Camp POSTCARD that made it not only memorable, but life changing.
“For me,” Oakes recalls, “it was about learning about independence, how to do things without my phone, how to be a leader, and how to be brave.”
For Indigo, it was about learning how to be more confident. “I made friends and did things I never did before, like zip-lining!”
Both kids also shared that they learned how to “use their voices.”
Jenny, Oakes’ and Indigo’s mom, saw these positive changes, too. “Their grandfather was a police officer, so they have always grown up respecting the blue,” she says. “I chose Camp POSTCARD because I wanted them to continue to have that positive perception of law enforcement, and also to learn skills that would help them navigate challenges. I know that they now have the tools and the confidence to hold their own and be heard.”