July 11th, 2011 - Session 1

Questions Posed

1. How was your first day? Did it meet your expectations?
2. How are you feeling about starting your first college class tomorrow?

Jennifer Warner - El Centro

Yesterday during the information session about Bonner, the leaders immediately established that this program was "more than a camp." Hearing that, I wondered what was so special about it. What made it different than anything I had done before? I don't fully know the answer to that question yet, but I think I'm starting to figure it out.

The dual focus on service and scholarship makes this camp unique, and even when we're just playing a game or getting to know one another, that shines through. The people I have met already have different motivations for coming here, but they all have a common goal: to do the best work that they can. The thing that was most interesting to me yesterday was the "step into the circle" game. The students, interns, and camp heads all come from such varied places and have such different experiences and hardships under their belts, but we all are coming together to help Trenton. I think that kind of commitment is amazing.

I'm looking forward to our first class today, and curious as to what I'll experience there. One topic that I hope I'll learn more about today is how people work in community and why. I'm sure it'll be a lot of hard work and thinking on my feet, but I can't wait to get started!

Kristen Cascante - Habitat

Yesterday was an extremely new, nerve wreaking, and exciting experience for me. Walking in, I was very nervous about meeting new people. I'm usually very shy and it's hard for me to put myself out there on the first try. But after a while, after all the icebreakers and games were done, it made me feel comfortable.

The counselors here are all very energetic and funny; they all show that they want us to have a good time. We played games from a picture scavenger hunt, to this sailor game that I thought was so much fun and hilarious to see.

I love how my dad kept calling and texting me throughout the day. This is my first time away from home, and this is my dad's first time not being there with me all the time. He is just very over protected but I know he'll relax by next week or so...

I'm nervous about this class, just because it is college level and the work load is a lot more, but I think I'll be able to do it if I just focus really hard on it.

I'm really excited on this mural project that we're doing for [Habitat for Humanity]. I just love the fact that I'll have something that is apart of the community that I contributed to.