Unite for Youth continues youth support efforts

Since 2017, a local non-profit has tried to change nearly 300 kids future's through a summer camp at Dickey Lake, and outreach in Troy and Libby schools.

Last month the Lincoln County Unite for Youth, a local non-profit organization, recently held its annual Aspire to Inspire Youth Leadership Camp.

The three-day camp is held at Dickey Lake. It provides an opportunity for middle school to high school-aged youth to learn about themselves, grow their skills and abilities and positively impact the world around them, according to a document from the organization.

Unite for Youth held its first camp in 2017. Since then, more than 300 kids from Troy, Libby and Eureka have participated at the Elohim Camp and Retreat Center, according to Maggie Anderson, the project coordinator for Lincoln County Unite for Youth.

According to the organization's website, Unite for Youth's mission is to engage the community to have youth and families do their best.

"Unite For Youth is committed to connecting our kids and our community with excellent resources that support youth, strengthen families and expand opportunities to learn, grow and thrive," Anderson said.

This summer, 40 kids from Troy, Libby and Eureka attended camp. Though participation has remained strong, kids in Lincoln County have a growing number of exciting summer activities to choose from, Anderson said. Typically the summer camp sees between 40 and 70 kids per year.

"We are thankful to offer our kids the opportunity to connect with others from across the county and to engage in game-based learning activities that give them a chance to explore who they are, what they value, and how they show up and engage at home, with friends and in the larger community," Anderson said.

Some games held at the camp include team development, integrity exercises, or "Collaboration vs. Competition" – a game-based module that challenges teams to solve problems with limited resources, harsh conditions and time constraints.

Another game, "Mistakes = Learning," challenges teams to participate in an activity that requires large amounts of failure. In the game, a metaphor for life, mistakes must be made to make progress, as people who make mistakes can learn from them.

Kids are challenged to "take their masks off," Anderson said. The physical and emotional risks kids take allow them to connect with themselves and others, she said.

The Unite for Youth program partners with SEEDS Training Inc. and the training team is top-notch, Anderson said.

"They understand what it takes to create a safe place where kids feel seen, heard and valued," she said.

The SEEDs training involves activities rooted in brain science and healthy youth development and is geared toward building trust, challenging growth, and strengthening relationships across a lifespan, Anderson said.

"Whether you're a youth or an adult, you may leave camp feeling grateful for the experience and hopeful about future possibilities," she said.

Anderson is thankful to serve alongside a fantastic team of individuals who envisioned this opportunity and work hard to make the camp happen.

In addition to the summer camp, the organization worked with Troy and Libby Public Schools to work with nearly 125 kids through a series of half-day sessions for students, Anderson said. She said SEEDS Training is the country's top youth development company and works around the world to help kids grow the skills they need to do and be their best.

The Aspire to Inspire Youth Leadership Camp is funded through several local and regional sources. These include the Partnerships for Success, Western Montana Mental Health Center, HECLA Mining Company, Lincoln County DUI Task Force, Lincoln County Commissioners, Troy United Methodist Church, and an annual fundraiser, the Guns and Hoses Softball Game, according to Anderson. Anderson said the program is thankful for the funding, but the Partnerships for Success grant is winding down.

"Unite for Youth is actively seeking donations from individuals, agencies, and organizations committed to growing the good in our community by investing in the incredible potential of Lincoln County youth," she said.