Friends First Learn the Ropes on Camping Trip

"It was the hardest thing I've ever done," said Fred, a Friends First mentor. "The high ropes course was insane!" Fred, along with 13 other Friends First pairs, challenged themselves and each other at the annual Friends First camping trip.

Friends First is a mentoring program here at Mercy Home that matches adults one on one with at-risk youth in the community. Participating kids find role models in their mentors; while adults, just by sharing of their time, witness their kindness, support and friendship changes the lives of their mentee.  

The two-day overnight trip at Camp Henry Horner allowed campers to canoe, paddleboat, and swim. Matched pairs also participated in softball and volleyball games. "The first day of camp was focused on team building," said Mary, Friends First manager at Mercy Home. "The second day we worked on trust."

Everyone on the trip learned cooperation, communication and teamwork through a high ropes course. The course, which at times was as high as 50 feet, was supervised by certified professionals. "The trip had a big impact with Sam," said Fred, about his mentee. "Other kids egged him on while he was up there and he helped other people."

The night culminated with a camp fire before the campers retired to their cabins. Overall, the trip pushed campers to go outside of their comfort zone while strengthening the bonds they share.

"I enjoyed watching Sam interact with everyone," said Fred. "Not only with kids his age, which I had never seen, but with adults, too."