Rebecca S.

Camp Compass is more than just the whole hunting experience, which I can say it isn’t easy. I mean taking a city kid to the woods is hard enough, but the experience is absolutely worth it. The experiences ranged from getting my hunting license, to understanding the guns and actually hunting down an animal. All of these experiences are just scary things to do for an eleven year old girl. The greatest thing about this is that though these experiences I have learned to have patience, to endure, and most importantly to listen. Listen not only for the animal, but listen to whoever is guiding you.

Early Season Duck Hunt

Mr. Annoni always took the kids with the best grades and those who were good in school and at home to hunt, so I learned that if I want something, I have to work for it.  And now after six years of being a member of Camp Compass, I can say it has had a major impact in the person I am today.  The environment of Camp Compass Academy is always positive and optimistic, which is very influential in any child’s life.  I would always look up to the older kids, because they always had good grades and did good things, and that would drive me to want to be like them.   In the academy, I knew that if I was having trouble understanding any subject from class, the teachers would help me understand it.  I was able to feel that Mr. Annoni and the other teachers where different from the teachers in school.  They actually cared and wanted to help me excel.  Even my mom would have this opinion of them. I know this because I was always surprised when she would let me go to all the trips, since she’s a very protective mother.

At that time of my life, I was extremely timid and shy, and Camp Compass gave me confidence to start breaking out of my shell. I want kids to have the same opportunities and advantages I had by being a part of Camp Compass. The media now in days portrays bad as good and is very negative and it’s difficult for kids not follow. They need attention, they need mentors, good role models, and they need  positivity and optimism that the academy provides.  They need adults to push them past their limits; kids need more options and opportunities to excel their lives as I did.

Rebecca with Turkey