CRIC High School Tour

This Pay It Forward Tour will take place from June 11-15, 2013, and will travel to a destination of Kansas City, MO!

Full Cycle – Bikes That Give Back

Use your bike to give back to our community’s homeless youth!

My Story/supporters

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Jul11

Time 13:42

My Story - Nicole Merz

Nicole is a counselor at Christ the King Jesuit College Prep in Chicago, and has been with her students at Camp the last 2 years.

I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you at Students Today Leaders Forever for your dedicated service with today’s youth. It has been a privilege to be a part of camp the last two years. Each time I leave inspired and hopeful that today’s youth will change the world. You are all proof that dreams really do come true and I see how excited each leader gets when you share the story of how STLF was created. It is clear that everyone involved walks away with the STLF imprint on their hearts. Personally, I have left each camp truly inspired and know that everyone else does too!

I also want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to see how much each of my students have grown throughout the year(s). My days are filled with so many tasks and students to work with, which, more times than not, leaves me with little time to follow up and make sure that my students have learned anything from our conversations. Accompanying my students to camp allows me to take a deep breath, sit back, and observe. It was amazing to see not only my students, but all of the students, participate in the Labyrinth at Hamline University. Another highlight for me was seeing my students really step out of their comfort zones and truly engage themselves.

My most exciting moment was when one of my male students told me that camp changed him. Of course I had to follow it up with a super counselor response and explain to him that camp did not necessarily change him, but it allowed him to explore, express, and show different sides of himself. Camp brought out areas that have been hibernating within him and now they are awake. Ultimately it is his choice to continue showing those sides of him.

So I thank you for allowing me to finally get a chance to see how much each of my students have grown throughout the year! Thank you all for everything that you do!