From left: John Patricelli, Juliana Vallée, Jennifer Morgan and Phil Moore.
Four Realtor members of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver recently helped coach 43 youth at risk at Camp Choice B.C.
The camp “gives 40 to 60 children the opportunity to be kids for a week in a safe community of caring, loving adults,” says John Patricelli of Sutton Centre. “At-risk children attend the camp and come from various communities and schools across British Columbia. Camp Choice works closely with various organizations and institutions to identify children who would most benefit from the camp and support them when they go back into their communities.”
The other Realtors taking part in the camp were Phil Moore, Re/Max Crest; Juliana Vallée, eXp Realty; and Jennifer Morgan, eXp Realty.
During the week the kids have the opportunity to work together as a community in every exercise and event. Throughout the week there are five keys to community that are emphasized: leadership, respect, teamwork, responsibility and courage, Patricelli says. “As participants come from a number of different communities, this is vital to the program’s mission and continued success. As the kids learn to work together in order to accomplish goals, they begin to form a bond that lasts even after they leave camp – a bond that can lead to lasting, positive friendships and support back home where it really counts.”
The exercises and lectures are designed around courses that have been used in company training seminars, personal development classes and leadership, he says. “They get a chance to work on focus, trust and commitment to go beyond what they believe they can do and in turn, create a lasting memory of success in their lives.
“By the end of the week the kids have learned many new things about themselves and others and gain a larger vision of what possibilities lay ahead of them and an understanding of what responsible choices and teamwork can do in their lives. And of course they have fun doing it. Almost every one of the participants desire to come back again and again.”
