Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

By Connie Gerow, 4-H Tribal Mentoring Coordinator

Zip Team Ready; Ready to Zip; Zipping - these were the final phrases that each individual expressed before he or she completed the Zip Line. On October 11th-13th 4-H Camp Overlook in Mountain View was the site for a picture perfect fall weekend for the second annual 4-H Tribal Mentoring Weekend. A total of fifty-five students from St. Regis Mohawk and Salmon River Central School were able to participate in numerous activities that culminated with participating in either the Flying Squirrel or Zip Line.

In an effort to promote sense of cooperation, team building, trust, and bonding, the children (Mentee's) that are in 5th-8th grades were divided into family groups. Each group had assigned High School students (Mentors) who would guide and support the children in activities.

The first task of each family group was to create a name for their group and design a banner. Upon flag raising and lowering each group was represented with their respective banner: The Lime Green Minions; Purple Tags; Mean and Green; The Blue Warriors; and Camp Overlook's Camp Clues were the names of the respective groups. During their stay at camp, each group was assigned Kitchen Privilege (KP) before and after. The associated duties and responsibilities with the KP Before was learning to set the tables and serving the meals. KP After was responsible for scraping plates, cleaning tables and floor and assisting with dish washing detail.

The ultimate test for all the groups were participating in the low and high rope elements. On Friday afternoon, Camp Program Manager Nate Campbell and his staff led the groups through a series of low elements in which teams work together to accomplish a task. Here, success is measured when all members of the group contribute to a positive outcome.

On Saturday morning, a large group instruction was given demonstrating how to wear a safety harness and helmet for the high ropes. As groups were directed to a high ropes element, site instructors provided additional information on specific roles as anchors, spotters or greeters that individuals would eventually use. The common thread of "safety" was continually stressed and maintained while each individual challenged their ability to either attempt or complete one or many high elements. The general focus is for individuals to confront their personal fears and anxieties. Often one would hear external coaching by their teammates encouraging the other to complete the challenge.

4-H Camp Overlook would not be complete unless there was a night time campfire. Both Friday and Saturday night, an evening campfire was enjoyed by all. On Friday night each family group were provided with the opportunity to make a snack of S'mores. Whereas, on Saturday night, campfire consisted of scary stories like Hairy Toe, Ghost Handprints, Blue Lake Monster, You Can't Get Out and the Tommy Knockers (as retold by S.E. Schlosser). Saturday night ended with a "Fright Night Hike" where Mentors wore Halloween costumes to surprise the Mentees and an evening sharing of snacks.

Throughout the course of the weekend, the children were provided with ample recreational opportunities to play in the great outdoors of the traditional 4-H Camp Overlook setting. In addition, camp meals were prepared by the tireless efforts of Mrs. Diane Tremblay with the assistance of Pat Banker and Connie Gerow.

An overall good time of camping, challenges, silly songs, scary stories and great food created an atmosphere of friendship and bonding that will provide memories for years to come. For more information, regarding the 4-H Tribal Mentoring program, one may call the Franklin County Cornell Cooperative Extension Office at 518-483-7403.