“Pre-teens” are often judged as problematic, unresponsive and self-consumed, but last week a group of 25 junior youth proved otherwise. They came from neighbourhoods across Toronto, where they have been participating in groups that enhance their ability to express themselves, reinforce moral structures, and give them tools to work for the common good. Together, they participated in a camp that highlighted their altruism, sense of justice and desire to contribute to a better world.
Camps such as this help participants, usually aged 12 to 14, see the impact of their efforts on a wider scale. “It lifts up their spirits,” said 17-year-old Riaz, a youth who has been helping with one of the groups in Mississauga for the past three years. “It makes them feel a part of something bigger than themselves.”
The junior youth studied portions of a text called “Learning about Excellence”, set in China, which explores how material and spiritual development of a community must go hand in hand. “I learned a lot of things,” said Ahmed, one of the junior youth: “Truthfulness, justice, rectitude of conduct.” Another junior youth from a newly formed group, Jason, described it as “believing in doing things the right way.”
At the heart of the camp was the belief that discussions and ideas had to be expressed in action. The junior youth visited the China exhibit at the Royal Ontario Museum to learn about that civilization and then sculpted clay based on what they had seen. As a service project, each participant prepared a painting that they then brought to a seniors’ home to give to a resident as a gift. Another group taught a group of children a class about moral behaviour. Sports, painting and a trip to the Ontario Science Centre had a part to play as well.
“I think the camp is wonderful because they get to interact with each other and exchange ideas of doing service,” Riaz said. “They get to make friends.” Fourteen-year-old Martha agreed: “Because we see more of one another we’re more comfortable together,” she said. “Everyone is more united.”