Lessons from Camp Weloki

Every time I volunteer to do a Teen Journey Weekend with Camp Weloki it gets better and better. This weekend was no different. We had a few new counselors and several returning ones. We only had a small amount of new teens so they jelled with each other quickly. I should probably note how great the counselors got along, and how well they (myself included) supported and encouraged the teens as they talked about some tough topics. I was inspired though to give a brief synopsis of what we learned...
1) Communication is key, and the best key is positive, present tense. That goes for talking to your friends AND your parents
2) Mistakes happened in the past, learn from them and move forward with your newly acquired wisdom
3) You are not your diagnosis, it is only a small part of who you are
4) Learn about your parents' experiences, it will help you understand where they are coming from when they set boundaries
5) Quality time, words of affirmation, and hugs are what everyone wants and needs. For you parents, that's what your teens want from you!
6) Focusing on the positives will only create more positives and decrease the negatives. This goes both ways for parents and teens
These are lessons the teens and us counselors learned. I personally learned I have a much STRONGER connection to the people and teens that make up Camp Weloki than I thought. I learned that I have a bigger impact on teens that I realized. I hope I make more positive than negative impacts. I'm not perfect. I learned quickly that sometimes what my intention is behind the lesson I'm trying to teach isn't always felt by others. In fact this weekend I was trying to help a teen learn how to overcome just a few small emotional hooks that could potentially lead to big problems. My intention was to help her have a happier and healthier life. The teen interpreted this as she hadn't grown and learned from past experiences. The next lesson in this? Own your actions and apologize when you make a mistake. That's exactly what I did. I apologized and told her my intention was not to focus on the weeds in her garden but help the beautiful roses grow taller and be more beautiful.
What a blessing to be a part of this great adventure...
Be well, Be happy-
Tara S. Dickherber, M.Ed, CPC

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