Et cetera : Oak Seven Goes to Camp in Minnesota

By: Oak Seven

An AmeriCorps team is working in Willow River, MN at Camp One Heartland. The team is working on a variety of projects while at the camp. Each week the team will see a new camp and undergo a different project.

The team spent the first week as camp counselors for camp with children infected with and affected by HIV and AIDS. The team was split up and each member was assigned to stay in a different cabin with a different age group. The team stayed with the campers from morning until night. During the day each group member was assigned to lead two different skills. Some examples of skills are arts and crafts, canoeing or climbing wall. The hours were long however, the rewards were big. Each team member grew very close with their cabins and by the end of the week there were many teary goodbyes. The team learned a lot about the topic of HIV and AIDS and what it really means to choose your attitude.

The second week the team played a more behind the scenes role at camp. The second week was Camp Erin a grief camp for families and children. During this camp the team assisted in projects at the camp. Several members of the team helped out with the landscaping. Some members mowed the lawn, others weed wacked and some worked to maintain trails on the grounds. Other members were assigned to work in the kitchen. While in the kitchen, team members made meals for the campers and staff and they helped with clean up and dishes.

Unfortunately, the project is being cut short due to the team being called out on a disaster project in North Dakota. Despite the short stay at the camp, the team really enjoyed their stay at Camp One Heart Land. Some of the team members are even planning to return next year to volunteer.