After going through a list in my mind of a really great event that I have attended, I have chosen to mention a youth camp. This is an annual international youth camp(IYC) that is a whole week and was established to help people age 16 and up become closer to Christ.
My reason for attending IYC was because I was asked to be a facilitator, dorm leader and counselor there. It was one of the most exciting experiences in my life thus far.
From a public relations perspective, the camp was well organized from the foundation of collecting all of the workers before the event through newsletters, press release and flyers, to making sure that the guest workers were well accommodated once we got there.
I remember after I arrived at the airport, there was a designated IYC van that came around to pick me up. Once we got to the camp, there was an order of check-in, a meeting of introduction, packets handed out that included a full schedule for the week, tee shirts, backpacks and more.
It was memorable to meet people from all cultures, in which everyone did not speak the same language, but there was one language that reigned supreme and that was the language of love. It was one of the most beautiful things.
In spite of the different nationalities, there was excellent control during the camp; and that was another thing that was impressive. Selecting something from that event to utilize for my event, I would use their organizing techniques because they were pretty close to perfect. It was definitely an event worth going to!
That IYC event sounded very nice. I can imagine that young people of different nationalities all coming together for one reason was a refreshing experience to be a part of. I really liked the part about the shuttles picking you up from the airport. I bet it gave everyone a V.I.P. type of feeling.
ReplyDeleteI would really like to know how all of the communicating went. You said that people from different nationalites were there and I was wondering if the kids had a hard time fitting in with the other campers that were there. Or did the counselors have any difficulty with trying to suit the campers' needs? But it seemed that the organization part was handled very well, from the time you got to the airport until it time to leave. The IYC kind of sounds like vacation bible school that I used to go to, except with an international twist. I bet it was a good time and it seems like you'd do it again, given the opportunity.
Thank you for your comment sir. Yes the shuttle did give me a V.I.P. kind of feeling. In fact, I felt pretty important the whole week I was there and would love to be a part of IYC again.
ReplyDeleteConcerning the communication between the nationalities, we had human interpreters/translators. I am reminded of a day that I could not understand a camper. He speaks Spanish and I know very little Spanish.
I was able to hold a conversation with him on a basic Spanish level, but once he began to ask more detailed questions, I had to call for a translator.
The campers were able to easily communicate because some of them were bilingual or spoke multiple languages. So they worked very well together.
Much of the staff was bilingual as well, but the camp directors hired a camp staff of national variety. All of the campers needs were met; and yes IYC does have a vacation bible school touch.
If you are interested in taking a glimpse of what IYC is like, you can check it out on the web via:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ik4Wiex_RA
You will see the Spanish Northeast camp; and the church affiliation for these camps is the Church of God of Prophecy, better known as COGOP.
I hope you enjoy the video clip.