Kids Lead at Stone!

How do you form children into caring adults? You expose them to the needs in their community and give them a chance to respond.

That is the basis of a one-week summer camp held at Stone Church in Saint John called Kids Lead.

It was seven years ago that the Rev. Jasmine Chandra began a small group called Kids Lead. They met through the school year and learned about the good and the bad in their city.

“The idea was to expose kids to the needs in the city and the organizations that helped fill those needs,” said Jasmine.

Kids visited lots of non-profits and learned how they could help through advocacy, fundraising and volunteering.
But meetings held after school did not easily allow visits to the non-profits, so three years ago, they made the switch to a week-long summer camp. Parents were happy to have something for their kids to do, and the summer event has worked much better for all.

This year’s camp had 29 kids from ages 7 to 14, all interested in making their community a better place by doing what they can to ease the burdens of others.

“This year we had quite a few newcomer kids,” said Jasmine. “They’ve gotten to see more of their city and the problems here.”

Jasmine and her husband, the Rev. Terence Chandra, are priests-in-charge at Stone. Terence and a host of volunteers run ESL summer camps for newcomer kids, which have grown since they began several years ago.

This summer, during the Kids Lead camp, a walk down Waterloo Street was a bit of an eye-opener, with one kindly man advising the group they should cross the street to avoid the homeless people. Jasmine’s answer, ‘Thanks, but that’s why we’re here. This is the whole point.’

“All this gets them thinking about their role in the community,” said Jasmine. 

This summer they met in early August and had tours of community advocacy groups in action and had guest speakers in as well.

They learned about the Saint John Community Coalition, Boys & Girls Club, the Salvation Army Family Services, and Inner City Youth Ministry, which partners with PULSE each summer to hold a weekly barbecue and family drop-in.

But this summer camp isn’t only about advocacy and volunteering, guest speakers and tours. There was lots of recreation built into the program, and the highlight of the week was the group projects.

Kids formed groups and chose a cause, made a plan to help and then implemented it. On the final afternoon of the camp, each group presented their project, with their parents and loved ones on hand to see their hard work.

Some groups wrapped up their projects, while others chose ongoing efforts like a lemonade stand in their own neighbourhood. 

One group sold baked goods and art in front of Stone Church. Another sought donations of toiletries from family and friends, all of which was donated to the Salvation Army. One group raised money to buy toys for children in hospital. Another raised money for cancer research. 

Ebeneezer, a spokesperson for the boys’ group, explained their video project.

“After a visit to the Salvation Army on Wednesday, we discovered they need a lot of personal care items,” he said. “We decided to use media to get the word out. There will be a box kept in the church, and we’ll be taking it to the Salvation Army.” 

Pearlyn, 16, was part of the Helping Hands group which also sought donations of toiletries.

“Our group bought some toiletries, made flyers, gave them to our parents. Jasmine put the flyer on Facebook and a lady brought in a box of toiletries today. We’ll donate this to the Salvation Army. They’ll give it to people who need it.”

Salvation Army representative Tara was on hand to receive the donations. The Rev. Cathy Laskey, hospital chaplain, will take the toys to the Saint John Regional Hospital once they’re purchased. 

Jen Hallihan works in community advocacy and a lot of her time is spent at Stone working with their various outreach initiatives. 

“This is a nice change working with kids,” she said. “With the kids I have a fresh mind. They reset me. They’re so full of life. 

“It’s been a great week. It teaches kids so much. It shows them they can be more than doctors and lawyers.

“Awareness is a big thing. It grows empathy. It’s nice to see them open their hearts to groups they want to give to. They have ideas in their heads but they’re just not sure how to execute them. This shows them how.”

Safia, nine and a half, was at the camp for the second summer.

“I like the activities,” she said. “I learned a lot about the city. I like walking around the city and I got to see parts I’ve never seen before.

“I like the things they do for the community, like Jasmine does. And it’s another way to make friends.”

Shania, 11, has been coming all four summers. 

“I come back because I enjoy hanging out with other kids, and I like what the camp teaches children about their community. I learn a lot about the city.

“I learned about what the Salvation Army does for the community. I didn’t know it was that much. I didn’t know there were so many in need.

“It’s a good experience for my future. Learning about advocacy is important. I do want to help people.”

As the final projects were presented and the camp came to an end, Jasmine had the last word.

“Really great job, everyone! I hope you’ve had a great week, you’ve learned something, had some fun, and you’ll become involved in your community throughout your lives.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:
1.  Kids get ready for their project presentations on the final day of Kids Lead! camp at Stone Church in Saint John.
2.  Group projects included selling art to passersby outside Stone Church.
3.  Gabriella and Merryn sold out of their sweets as part of their group project.
4.  Joanna, 8, and Pearlyn, 16, were part of a group that collected personal care items for donation to the Salvation Army's outreach program.
McKnight photos