Camp Mo-Val Receives Award

The International YMCA, a branch of the YMCA of Greater New York, recently recognized Camp Mo-Val as the “Outstanding Camp of 2005” for overall treatment of international staff, and diversity and commitment to cultural awareness. This award is given annually to a camp participating in the International Camp Counselor Program – ICCP, and comes with tangible recognition. Nominations come from the international staff members themselves, and are reviewed by a panel of camp directors.

Lili from Mexico
 

Camp Mo-Val will be the recipient of:
- An all expense, week-long trip – this year to Peru (the annual Camp Director immersion and recruitment trip) OR
- Placement of an international staff member in 2006 at no charge,
- Recognition in our local newspaper, and
- A decorative plaque.

Over 550 camps nationwide utilize this program each year to bring more than 1,800 counselors and camp staff from some 70 countries to the USA. ICCP is recognized by the US government as a J-1 visa sponsoring agency. Locally, we use their services to support individuals recruited through our Jamaica partnership, and as a source for pre-screened applicants from countries where we do not have a direct linkage.

Mirriam from Zambia
 

During the past ten years, Camp Mo-Val has welcomed 36 international staff from around the world utilizing the ICCP program. This includes young adults from 13 different countries - Columbia, France, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Poland, Singapore, Uganda, Ukraine, Uruguay and Zambia - who made the trek to Union, Missouri to serve as part of the summer program staff.

This is quite an undertaking and another great example of what we – as a conference of churches – can accomplish! This award has been given to Camp Mo-Val, but behind the scenes scores of individuals made it possible. Camp leadership does take special care to ensure that international staff are well informed through phone interviews and e-mails packed with information about job segments, our faith tradition, weather, our state, other staff members - the list goes on. Throughout the summer, they work to support international staff members and resolve issues unique to their circumstances. However, there is so much more.

Yoann from France
 

Last summer, volunteers and summer staff members extended a true ministry of hospitality by:
- greeting international guests at the airport, then feeding and delivering them safely to camp,
- hosting them for out-of-camp adventures on their days off,
- providing clothes on short notice when someone arrives with a limited or inappropriate supply
- writing letters and sending cards, so all received mail,
- and providing transportation….any and everywhere.
In addition, the Eastern Association sponsored a picnic at the end of the summer to celebrate Camp Mo-Val and the ministry of the International Staff. Over 200 people turned out.

It really does take a village to raise a child, and it takes a family, an extended church family, to make international staff feel truly welcome and valued.
 

Ezequiel from Uruguay

Comment from International Staff:

“I just want to say thank you again Shirley for the chance you gave me to work here, I can say that I spent an amazing summer with you guys, it was one of the best time of my life.” Yoann from France

“Well let me tell you that I miss you all, now that I arrived to my country I start to think about the past 3 months and I can’t believe the things I lived at camp. It was awesome.” Ezequiel from Uruguay

“It was awesome” is a statement that also rings true for campers, volunteers and staff at Camp Mo-Val. We gain so much from the experience. Eyes are opened, walls begin to crumble. Mysterious places such as Lusaka and Montevideo seem a little closer. We know people around the world - personally - and care about them. Our vision of family is expanded and our sense of global responsibility is enhanced.
 

Renaldo from Jamaica