 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 (XXXX 5) |
Recently I had a wonderful conversation with a woman named Donna, who called to say that her son had attended a PYM Young Friends event for the first time. She admitted that she had insisted that her son go to the Camp Onas gathering because she had an instinct that the experience would be good for him. In the true spirit of "teen-agerism," he begrudgingly agreed to go, just knowing that he wouldn't have a good time!
Donna said that when she went to pick up her son at the end of Camp Onas, she couldn't believe the transformation in him. He had a great time, made new friends, and one of the highlights of the week for him was attending the Meeting for Business! He was able to see Quaker process take place on a level that he could understand. Prior to that, Donna said, her son had little interest in Quakerism, much less attending Meeting for Business. Now he's looking forward to the next PYM Young Friends event!
Donna wanted Young Friends Program Coordinator Cookie Caldwell and the Friendly Adult Presences to know how she (and her son) appreciated the fact that the Camp Onas experience was so positive, that the kids were free to be just themselves, and that the overall atmosphere created was one of openness and not so "regimented." She is so grateful for the Young Friends program — a safe place where her son can go — because she has had a concern about the current group of kids he's been associating with.
I wanted to share this because we just never know how effective the work of PYM can be!!
Mary Anne Crowley
Administrative Assistant
PYM Religious Education Office
Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:18 AM