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Camp Adventure Comes to UT |
| By
Kimyette Finley |
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Oct 25, 2002 |
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| Christopher Edginton, right, recently talked to Eric Meister at WXUT about Camp Adventure. |
A program with international connections plans to set up shop at UT and recruit college students to work with young people all over the world.
The Camp Adventure Youth Services program is scheduled to start working with UT students in November. “It’s provided a tremendous opportunity for students to get overseas and work with children,” said Dr. Christopher Edginton, the program's founder. Edginton started Camp Adventure, a not-for-profit educational organization, in 1985 after a chance encounter with a youth director in the U.S. Army. The director told Edginton it was difficult to find seasonal employees to work with military children living abroad. Edginton proposed college students as a viable work force and founded the program with 12 students. This past summer, the program included a staff of 775 working with youths in 20 countries. Students representing 80 colleges participated in the program, he said.
Dr. Thomas Switzer, dean of the College of Education, used to head up the education department at the University of Northern Iowa. Edginton also is based at UNI and used to work with Switzer. “He helped me build Camp Adventure into what it is today. It’s the opportunity for students to develop their youth skills. Most people want to do worthwhile work and broaden their horizons," Edginton said.
In addition to working with young people in U.S. military environments, Edginton said the program also includes international schools, U.S. embassies, corporate clubs and international universities. Camp Adventure runs youth programs in Germany, Spain, Japan, Korea and other countries.
Switzer said the program is an asset for UT. “Students who come to UT should have multiple learning opportunities and activities that make their time at UT a rich learning experience. It’s part of a diversity experience because they have a chance to travel internationally and work with children,” he explained. Switzer said although the program is connected with the College of Education, it’s open to students of all majors.
Sammy Spann, a Camp Adventure alumnus, will serve as the staff developer for the program at UT. “It’s a student-run program. We depend on them a lot, and we’re looking for the best. They have to be ambassadors for the college and the Camp Adventure program,” Spann said. He wants about 10 students to serve as a management team and recruit and train additional students to prepare for next summer. Spann said the program is looking for students who have skills in areas such as the arts, video, media and outdoors to share with the youths. The college candidates are assessed for leadership skills during an eight-hour process consisting of activities like leading in song, engaging in team building, and an interview. Students who are selected must pass security clearances, and they are then eligible for Camp Adventure College, which is the staff development program. The actual time college students spend working in the summer program is about 11 weeks.
Spann joined the program when he was an undergraduate and has participated for several years. “I have a better focus on what I wanted to do because of this program. It’s a great resumé builder, and it opens up a lot of doors.”
The cost for students is about $600, which doesn’t have to be paid all at once. Edginton said in return, students are eligible for college credit for their work experience, and the fee also covers airline tickets, a passport, safety courses (such as CPR) and housing. Students also receive a $1,500 stipend.
For more information on Camp Adventure, visit the College of Education in Gillham Hall Room 4023 or call 419.530.2495.
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