Four Weeks, Five People. Jennifer Yu
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A FEW WORDS of advice for those attending Camp Ugunduzi for the first time:
Contrary to what the brochure may have told your parents, siblings, grandparents, estranged uncles, teachers, psychiatrists, well-meaning friends, not-so-well-meaning friends, and other people of distant relation who “care about you” and have therefore shipped you to the middle of upstate New York (read: out of their lives) for one month of summer while everyone else just goes kayaking and eats hot dogs, you will probably not discover a way to change your life at this camp.
In fact, despite being at a camp named Ugunduzi—the Swahili word for “discovery,” because nothing says profound quite like Google Translate—you are unlikely to discover very much here. Things like...
Yourself.
The meaning of life.
Love.
What it means to be human
...will generally not be found during your time here. You’re actually fairly unlikely to discover anything other than 1) approximately ten new mosquito bites a day on body parts you didn’t know existed, and 2) at least fifty ways to hide alcohol from the counselors.
But hey, don’t let me get you down. Your parents are excited. Your grandparents are excited. Your therapist is less excited because she’s missing out on four weeks of checks, but still excited because this experience could be the next step to a healthy lifestyle. Your friends are the most excited of all, because they think a month of trust-building exercises in the woods is going to get them the “old you” back—you know, the one who did fun, stupid things with them, like go to the mall and giggle at every cute boy that walked by, or prank-call strangers at 3:00 a.m. while high off sleep-deprivation and Ben and Jerry’s. The one they grew up with, before the monsters under your bed found their way into your head and Lunchables turned into a stackable pile of pills and Truth or Dare started feeling like a confessional.
Believe me, I don’t want to ruin this for you. I know how it feels—like everyone else is so full of hope and excitement they’re counting on this camp more than you are. And I know that even though you yelled at your mom to stop counting down the days way back in April, and even though you rolled your eyes when you promised your psychiatrist you’d immerse yourself, and even though you told your friends it was just some “bullshit summer camp for psychos,” you’re also excited. Because you kind of want the old you back, too.
Camp Ugunduzi is an experimental four-week therapeutic wilderness program for teenagers ages fifteen to seventeen who may be experiencing a variety of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, self-destructive behavior, antisocial behavior, and other mood disorders. Founded in 2010 by Dr. Ash Palmer, Ugunduzi operates upon the principal that teenagers struggling with emotional illness deserve a summer camp that is as recreational as it is therapeutic—one that taps into the natural healing power of the wild without the risks and potential dangers of similar boot camp programs. Over the course of the program, campers are introduced to the four basic tenets of Ugunduzi: 1) understanding and accepting the past, 2) forming authentic relationships, 3) celebrating personal success, and 4) forgiving personal failure. Ugunduzi should not be used as a substitute for inpatient treatment in the case of serious psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, persistent delusions, or suicidal behavior.
The main principle of Camp Ugunduzi is respect. Campers are expected to treat others, the property, and themselves with respect at all times.
Horseplay, roughhousing, and physical altercations between campers are strictly prohibited.
All forms of alcohol and drugs that have not been prescribed are strictly prohibited.
All foul language is strictly prohibited.
Campers must remain in the main camp area during individual time. They may not go on hikes unsupervised during this time.
Campers must remain in their rooms after the day ends. There will be bed checks every two hours over the course of the night.
Camper participation is required at all individual and group therapy sessions.
Use of the TV is restricted to designated movie-viewing times on weekends.
If at any point during a group session a camper feels triggered or emotionally threatened by the discussion, he or she may signal to leave and take a five-minute break.
These materials are prohibited and should be turned in to the counselors at the beginning of camp: cell phones, other electronics, spiral-bound notebooks, hair straighteners and curlers, earrings, mechanical pencils, keys, blades, and knives.
Razors, nail clippers, and hair scissors must remain in lockers at all times when not in the shower.
Body checks will be performed every Friday.
Campers will be weighed every Wednesday.
WEEKDAY SCHEDULE
9:00 a.m.: Day begins—wake up, shower, meds, etc.
9:30 a.m.: Breakfast, medications, goals for the day
10:00 a.m.: Hike (Mon, Wed) or Project Time (Tue, Thu)