Camp Watsitumi Benefits Local Youth

Montgomery County, TX -- More than 100 area youth attended Camp Watsitumi this year held by Montgomery County Youth Services (MCYS).

This year marks the 11th year for MCYS’ Camp Watsitumi and was a great success. This was the second year that Wal-Mart sponsored the camp, providing financial support. Many of Wal-Mart’s employees also helped out during camp with the activities and preparing lunch for the kids.

“We really appreciate Wal-Mart’s support of Camp Watsitumi,” said MCYS Executive Director John Bracken. “Their support made it possible for many area youth to attend and that really shows their dedication to our community.”

According to camp director Amy Valadez, the overall goals of the camp are to improve communication, peer relations and self-esteem by placing children in a safe, fun atmosphere in which they have to interact with other kids their own age and overcome obstacles.

Camp-goers are challenged with the CISD ropes course near the campus of Conroe High School. They are placed in a group setting and learn to help each other successfully complete the challenges.

Valadez said that some things you tend to hear the first few days of camp are words of fear concerning the challenges. Eventually, she said the children start to think more positively and learn to work together as a team. By the time they leave camp, the fears have turned into pride of achieving their goals and a greater self-esteem.

“Camp was really great this year,” said Valadez. “It is events like this that teach us how to handle our own situations in life. What they learn from each task is then generalized to their ‘real life’ with lessons being taken home to practice in everyday situations.”

Montgomery County Youth Services (MCYS), a United Way Agency, provides youth and family counseling, substance abuse education and prevention services, community outreach programs, Face to Face mentoring program and a residential program for homeless youth throughout Montgomery County. MCYS also is a beneficiary of the Community Development Block Grant.

For more information about Montgomery County Youth Services, please call 936-756-8682 or visit their Web site.