|
 On June 29, 2007, I unexpectedly ran into a wonderful Summer program
in Harlem.At their location inside the Ephesus Church of Seventh Day
Adventist between 123 rd and 124th on Lenox Ave, the Starliters
Pathfinder Club was preparing for a three-day camping retreat in
Upstate New York.
Throughout the course of the summer program, kids
will learn survival methods, such as starting and putting out fires,
swimming skills, etc. Considering Starliters is an International
program, the kids will also bond with many different people and
cultures. Every year they have a chance to meet with new and
different types of people. Just before they loaded their bus and
prepared to leave on their trip, Harlem Live was on the job – ready
to ask questions.
We interviewed 3 students(Bryan Edwards, Christina Callwood, and
Cassandra Mondesir) and 1 advisor (Janice Callwood), who readily
stopped and told us more information about their program. This camp
also instills good work ethics through its title system. The titles
they receive show their level of skill and dedication. The 5 titles
are the Friends (who learn how to start and put out
fires, and also learn how to swim), the Companions (who
learn how to explore and do drills) The Master Rangers
(who teach the Companion and the Friends on necessary skills), the
Team Leaders (who prepare to become leaders) and the Master Guides (the directors.)
The program was established in 1930 by a chair board inside the North
Eastern church conference with Harlem Youth in mind.
It began as a way to keep kids off the streets and to inspire them to stay strong
and achieve, all while learning about God. Every night there is an
event in the church for the children to learn about God. The Young
Missionary Committee hosts discussions about God The Programs host
Praise and Worship Night, and also a night where the preacher
inspires the church with the Word of God.
You can catch them in the Ephesus Church almost every day of the week
in this summer. They are still recruiting kids for the camp, so stop
by one day to see what the camp is all about. And, in a show of
cultural pride, the camp marches in the African Day Pride Parade on
September 17. They march down the streets of Harlem with their drumline, and a crew full of people proud of their culture.
 |
Subscribe to this comment's feed