Pioneer Christian Monthly - September, 1980

Youth In Training Program
Everret Van Beek

Every once in a while, one has a unique experience which provides lasting memories, creates bonds of prolonged friendship and offers a rewarding sense of accomplishment. This certainly was my experience through participation in the Youth-in-Training Program offered at Camp Shalom this summer.

This was a pioneer project for Camp Shalom and its stated objective was to train young people for better Christian leadership in both Camp and local church group activities.

In all, nine young people aged 14 to 16, representing seven local congregations, participated in the three-week program. The first two weeks involved intensive leadership training and Bible study sessions at the Camp. while the third week was reserved for a six-day canoe trip to Algonquin Park.

A primary focus in the program was' to provide the Y.I.T.'s (as the affectionately became known) with an opportunity to directly put into practice that which they had been instructed during the "classroom" setting. To this end the group was able to assume the role of counselor and actually lead a cabin group of "regular" campers in one of their morning Bible study lessons. This allowed the Y.I.T.'s to implement the skills of teaching techniques, lesson preparation and communication effectiveness in which they had been instructed.

The individuals of the Y.I.T. group also had the opportunity to provide leadership in a second dimension that of recreation. This was accomplished by leading some game and activity sessions for the campers. These interactions proved to be very rewarding experiences in terms of learning leadership skills.

Another prime area of input was that of Bible instruction. These sessions were led by Rev. F. Guinta of Montreal. Here a systematic dissection of the various books of the Bible provided the participants with some fundamental knowledge of Bible content and application in Reformed

doctrine. It was not unusual for these regular afternoon sessions to extend well beyond their scheduled ninety minutes. Discussions were stimulated by the eager and probing minds of the Y.I.T. group and sustained by the very effective leadership of Rev. Guinta.

Over the weekend spanning the first and second week, the group travelled in a rented van and was able to visit both the Hamilton and Guelph congregations. This, in an attempt to provide some first hand exposure of the program to the local churches. The outing proved to be very successful and enjoyable, highlighted perhaps by the hospitality of the Dubbeldam family of Burlington who so graciously hosted the entire group on Sunday afternoon.

While at Camp Shalom, the Y.I.T. group was housed in canvas trailers in the family camping area of the Shalom grounds. This allowed the group to be separate from, yet close enough to the program and facilities of the regular camp. The setting proved to be a catalyst in providing a unique bonding of the group. It also provided several instances of comic relief. Incidents such as the initial disastrous attempt at cooking breakfast on the campfire and the occasional flooding during rain storms did much to create a very meaningful group cohesion.

With the enthusiasm expressed by both the participants and organizers, there seems to be no question that the entire program was an unqualified success. Certainly if the program is to be offered again, there will be some necessary but minor changes, but if the final product is any indication then even the mistakes were worth the effort.

A minor disappointment was the initial lack of response when the concept was first introduced to the local churches. In retrospect, however, the size of the group was ideal for the first run. The participants in this year's Y.I.T. program will unquestionably provide a solid basis for leadership in our churches in the future. Listed below are their names. Remember them for their future is now. All of us would do well to take as they did, the commission found in Jeremiah 1:6 - 8. Marissa Besselink - Welland, Yn Park - Welland; Karen Jans, Alice Frielink - Guelph; Andrew Hartmans Toronto; Elaine Keuning - Stoney Creek; Ingrid Kuper - Drayton; Mike De Jong - Hamilton; Ruth de Waard Wainfleet; Rev. Frank Guinta - Chaplain; Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Wells, "Henry" Frielink - canoe trip leaders; Evert Van Beek - program coordinator.

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