By Lauren Mankey

             An AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) team is in Augusta, MI with the Sherman Lake YMCA Outdoor Center, working as part of their Integrated Education program from March 12 to May 11.  This is their first project of their AmeriCorps NCCC service term.

            The Integrated Education program serves students in both rural and urban communities in the area. Its mission is to foster a healthy environment for children to learn honesty, caring, respect, and responsibility, thereby improving self-esteem, communication and relationship-building skills, and problem-solving methods. Students take the skills learned at Sherman Lakes back to school and apply them, becoming stronger academically and socially.

            After a week of orientation and training, in which the team learned how to diffuse tensions between campers, recognize the different faces of bullying based on gender, and keep campers safe (as well as belay and complete a high ropes course done thirty-five feet above ground), they were able to shadow a counselor for two and a half days. During this time, Maple 2 was given the hands-on experience needed to effectively become counselors. 

            March 26 marked the real fun of allowing the team to finally direct a cabin of their own—a group averaging ten fifth graders that went to activities such as playaking (kayaking in the pool), arts and crafts, fire-building, and archery.  Maple 2 remains excited and determined to make NCCC and Sherman Lake proud.