Teenage Interpersonal Relationship Camp

Let's Be Friends: Teenage Interpersonal Relationship Camp

To encourage teenage patients to have a healthy personality development and good social adaption, our foundation created a series of classes for patients 15~25 years old about social experience. We invited the City People Foundation to lead this course; through group work, the teenagers learn how to express themselves, communicate well, and expand their relationship with others. In addition, we planned a two day camp for them to live alone without their parents so that they can experience life on their own and learn how to take care of themselves.

Under the warmth of the sun, our footsteps are joyful. Participants arrived Ming-de Conference center and were ready to start our two day adventure. In the beginning, everyone was all kind of timid and shy; unfamiliar with the environment and the people on their teams, but with the leaders’ help, participants finally got to know each other better and established team rules. Teachers designed many activities including: passing the balloon, number games, maze, etc. It felt like the teams clicked more as time goes by, and we heard some interesting feedbacks.

At night, there was the most exciting bon fire everyone has been looking forward to. In the still air, the fire was lit and everyone started dancing joyfully. As the music goes on, participants became more confident with all the encouragements among one another. At the end of the bon fire, there was a performance of a sign language song; it was truly touching. Every one sang together and felt like they were closer as they began to value the time together even more.

After the first day, we thought participants were just going to go back to their rooms and drop dead, yet to our surprise, they had the time and energy to visit people in different rooms, play cards, and talked about what happened earlier. Of course they had to have the most fun they could be on their own! Watching these kids so happy, we are especially grateful of these parents that gave their kids this chance to be independent under safe conditions. We believe it is also a lesson for the parents.

After the two day trip, we believe participants all learned a lot. They exchanged their contact information after the last goodbyes. Though the camp ended, friendship continues, I believe this event made a positive impact on participants’ lives and also created many valuable memories.