Speller's Summer Notes: My Second Home

     by Kyle Lou

     Before I went to CommunityYouth Leadership Camp (CYLC) this year, I had insecurities. I was afraid that people would judge me, based off of my thoughts and ideas. I was also afraid of being alone. All my friends that I knew at Rice and Schimelpfenig were all going to Jasper next year and I was going to be the “new kid” at John Paul II. This feeling of isolation carried on to the first day of camp where I feared that I wouldn't know anyone or that I would have nobody to talk to. 

Kyle (2^nd from left) with CYLC mentors

     Fast forward a few days and as I get to know my 班 better, I make new friends, socialize with old ones and I realize the reason why the 6 days I spend at CYLC are always the best of each year. Family. At CYLC everyone treats each other as their equal. Everyone respects the thoughts and beliefs of each other, meaning no one will judge someone's idea and think negatively about that person. CYLC is a safe haven for those afraid to speak their mind and voice their thoughts. Some people call CYLC a dance camp when in actuality it’s a leadership camp, but to me it’s so much more. It’s a place to make new friends, learn new things, and a place I am proud to call “My Second Home”.