Ask most 7th graders about their future and you will find they are not thinking mostly about future education. But for Jada, her thoughts go far beyond just getting to college. She has dreams. Jada is 12 years old and she is already planning to take on the world. “I want to attend NYU for college and become a lawyer,” she said, brimming with confidence.
She is not just pondering the future dreams, she is actively pursuing them. She has a plan on how to save money for college and apply for scholarships. In addition, she has found a program in Indiana that helps send students to school. “If I stay away from drugs and alcohol and keep my grades up, I can go to college with financial help. So that’s what I am going to do. I’m going to go to college.”
Mother Inspires Dreams with Summer Camp
Jada’s mother plays a key role in Jada’s dreams. She is an encouraging role model who inspires Jada to be all that she can be. “She’s my hero,” Jada said.
It was her mother who first brought Jada to Jameson Camp when she was six years old. It wasn’t easy. “I was so attached to my mom that I didn’t want to leave her and come to camp. But she explained that I needed to go and explore different places, and now I love camp!”
Every year Jada returns to Camp with a positive attitude and a greater sense of determination. She keeps her eye on the distant future. However, she is always thinking of what she can do next, right now, to better herself. At camp, she takes the week off, eases her focus, and becomes a carefree kid.
Camp Provides New and Interesting Activities
“My favorite memory (of camp),” is remembering how much fun I had and how much I smiled. Jada loves being able to go outside, go swimming, and make new friends. Camp gives her the opportunity to do that and much more.
“My favorite activity has been culinary arts,” she said. “We got to make chicken stir fry and then give it to homeless kids.” She sees the commitment Jameson has to giving back to the community. She sees camp instilling campers with leadership skills and the ability to give generously.
Jada has the appetite to learn as much as she can about herself and the world around her. “I want to be a youth leader,” she said. “Then I’m going to come to Jameson every year until I can become a counselor!”
Meeting young people like Jada, it’s easy to see a future leader being made and developed at Jameson Camp. Eyeing another goal in her future, she is prepared to begin by decorating her locker for the next school year. Of course, she also looks forward to camp next year, and for all the years following that.