Louis Summerhill

Louis Summerhill

September 9, 2010

   BCM

                My experience going on BCM as a peer leader was an asset to me because I had to motivate my peers, and conquer a challenge for myself not to show that this trip is fazing me. I was proud of myself that I could lead my group and lift their spirits when they were down on the hike. The responsibilities that I had were nothing that I couldn’t handle; I love the fact of being a leader because I like to prove to others and myself that I can do it. This was my second BCM trip that I attended and what I learned from the two was that without struggle there’s no success and that is what get me through the journey.                                                                                                                                                      

                 While out in the back country I bonded with several others that I knew but rarely had conversations with before and I finally got the chance to get to know them, because of this trip we all made a brother to brother relationship. We all shared our past moments around a camp fire and had each other backs through the thick and the thin, we always offered a hand for one another when we seen someone in need of help.

                This trip made me value the things I have in life and what I have back home.  When you are used to the materials you use in your everyday life it becomes a habit to check or use it, by being on this trip gone for 6 days without electronics was a challenge. I was missing my iPod and my cellular phone and talking to my girlfriend and my friends, I overcame these challenges by thinking its okay that’s what voicemail and text messages are for, and it’s just less drama and worries for me to worry about. I recommend any teenager to attend this trip for the experience of the outback country, and to learn the survival skills in case something were to happened where you had to live without electricity, then you would have the knowledge and know what to do in those type of situations. I want to thank the East Oakland Youth Development Center for selecting me to serve as a Peer Leader on the BCM boys trip!