Making new connections on the Mentor program

Making new connections on the Mentor program

For Camp Leaders, the first New Mentor program of the year at Cottage by the Sea brings excitement and strikes curiosity. This is because it is the first time two groups come together to start a journey through the Mentor program.

For our REEF graduates last year, it was their first program as a Mentor and an opportunity for them to meet our New Mentors last year.

We all met together at Eastern Beach for a morning of “get to know you” games. The Mentors were encouraged to step out of their comfort zones to reveal things about themselves that they may have in common with the other Mentors. It was interesting to observe young people who are normally boisterous and loud go into their shells when faced with new people to meet.

After playing games on the beach, we had a BBQ lunch. Food is always a good ice-breaker and a great way to bring people together. Throughout the weekend, the Mentors played mini golf, went mountain biking, surfing and stand-up paddle boarding, and enjoyed an art session one evening. These are all activities that required the Mentors to work together, encourage one another and lend a hand when someone was struggling a bit.

Over the course of the weekend, the group started to gel really well and Camp Leaders could see friendships beginning to form. By the end of the program, they were all looking forward to seeing each other once again. It is one of the many joys of the Mentor program – young people finding common interests with one another and building new connections and friendships!