Emmanuel Ajegbo shares his volunteer experience at the HSE camp. A ten-day holiday camp for teenagers. Through diverse workshops, it encouraged critical thinking, creative expression, and cultural awareness while connecting attendees with their Nigerian heritage.
Volunteering always means a form of service and I was not sure if I wanted to add that stress to my holiday when I decided to join the HSE Camp as a volunteer, because up till that moment my idea of a good holiday entailed fun, rest, and recuperation but somehow the HSE camp offered all that and even more.
It felt uncomfortable stepping out of my comfort zone because volunteering as a tutor at the HSE camp meant that I wouldn't be able to take a back seat but I would be front and center for most of the activities with the students.
The HSE camp is short for HSE Cultural Art Camp, an initiative of the Wetland Cultural and Education Foundation in partnership with the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art, at the Pan-Atlantic University. The camp provides teenagers with cultural education through its art, technology, and literary workshops during their summer holidays.
When I saw the brief of the camp activities, I instinctively knew that I was also going to be a major beneficiary of its rich content because frankly my formal experience with the arts still left a lot to be desired. At least as a tutor, I was happy to help support the smooth running of the camp activities.
The HSE Cultural Art Camp provided an enriching ten-day experience for over fifty (50) young participants. Through diverse workshops, it encouraged critical thinking, creative expression, and cultural awareness while connecting attendees with their Nigerian heritage.
Workshops like "Art & Environment," "Art & Society," and a new Batik-Making session deepened our understanding of art and culture. The camp also fostered collaboration, teamwork, and other essential life skills.
The experience was amazing and I was thrilled to be part of it. Mentoring the teenagers gave me a greater sense of purpose and even though I felt the pressure of combining this with running camp operations it was rewarding in the end.
The experience was one to remember, and honestly, I would recommend volunteering for the HSE camp to other Lakeside students in order to make the best out of their summer holidays and life.