|
 Enrique
has been a member of Camp Fire USA Lone Star Council’s
Teens in Action program since the
summer of 2002. When
Enrique first joined Camp Fire USA, he was very shy and kept
to himself most of the time. However, through the
Teens in
Action summer job program, Enrique has broken out of his shell
– so much so, that he now answers phone lines for Camp Fire
USA’s KIDTALK “warmline”
for kids who are home alone! |
|
Thanks to Camp
Fire, Enrique says
he feels more comfortable talking to adults and other teens his
age. “When I would get in front of a group to talk to them, I
would stand there and forget what I was saying and now I feel
comfortable talking in front of a group,” Enrique says.
 The encouragement and
motivation that Enrique received from his Group Leader/Mentors,
Salvador Parada and Amy Evans, has made him more self-confident.
This all started when they found Enrique a job as a mentor in
one of Camp Fire USA's after-school programs at Comstock Middle
School. Here,
Enrique was responsible for assisting the teacher in leading
activities and serving as a role model for the kids.
“Enrique learned that he,
even though he was only a few years older than some of these
kids, could still be a role mode,” says Evans.
Through his work this
summer in the KIDTALK program, Enrique provides mentoring to
children of all ages on the telephone. Since the program is
offered through Camp Fire USA’s council office, Enrique has also
been able to assist his supervisor and other staff with various
projects and office duties.
“It’s been real fun
working here this summer,” says Enrique. “I just hope that I can
do it again next year!”
 During his time at
KIDTALK, Enrique’s supervisor noticed that he has begun taking
the initiative to get to know others. In fact, when a new girl
began working at KIDTALK, Enrique volunteered to train her on
her job duties to make her feel more comfortable.
In addition to
his newfound confidence, Enrique has shown an increased desire
to learn about technology and computers. As a part of his job at
KIDTALK, Enrique was required to perform research using the
Internet. He also began using a typing program to enhance his
computer skills and to make him more efficient.
“I feel more comfortable using
the computer now,” Enrique says. “It will help me in school to
know how to use the computer.”
Enrique’s
leaders are very proud of the accomplishments that he has made
over the past year, and everyone at Camp Fire USA knows that his
eagerness to learn will help him to overcome any obstacles that
are set before him! |
