MyCube

Story

The Camp NetWorx! MyCube serves as the primary construct used with each camper to support multi-dimensional self-discovery. Campers were introduced to the MyCube project late during the first week of camp after the campers began to share their favorite passions and abilities.   

Before introducing the Camp NetWorx! MyCube challenge, the team facilitated a camp orientation and camper introductions with content gathered in the pack for camp “My Favorites” survey.  Identifying common and unique interest and passions introduced the week one “storytelling” and “You are your verbs, not your nouns” topic that included Youtube exploration of a TedX presentation from Maysoon Zahid.  

The objective of the MyCube project was to facilitate a deeper understanding for each camper and to foster peer-to-peer connection.  Each week of camp focused on two unique sides of the MyCube.

• Week 1_Storytelling: My Passions and My Verbs
• Week 2_Discovery: My Base and My Story
• Week 3_Adventure: My Goals and My Self

Campers were notified that they would have the opportunity to submit/upload 6 images representing the 6 facets of their camp self-discovery activities. Cabin peer mentors worked with each camper facilitated workshop activities to identify and share photos with their peer cabin group and camp peers.

In the MyCube template, there are six sides that when folded can make a cube.

Adventures through Storytelling and Discovery

During camp, an online free communication channel called ‘SLACK’ was used to support communication during and between campfire summit and cabin workshops.  Photo and image sharing was robust and each camper shared images and provided supportive feedback as each identified the six photos that would populate their unique MyCube project.  

The My Cube exercise was used to guide the campers as they selected images that were intended to represent the various facets of their being.  The descriptions and instruction for the selection of the images were general guidelines to provide each camper a framework for image selection.  

All campers were supported in their unique interpretation of the My Cube project.  The exercise was focused on personal exploration and interpretation of the assignment rather than a rigid application of the MyCube guidance outlined below.  The My Cube project served to provide focus for the camp events and participation and connection on the camp Slack channels.  

Each week each camper began to explore and identify images, graphics, pictures that symbolize or represent their individual identity with the following guidance:

The primary construct with the camp was the creation of a personalized Camp NetWorx! MyCube box.  The identification and selection of the 6 images was integrated into the fireside gatherings and cabin workshops and supported the overall goals of the camp to mitigate social isolation through self-discovery, self-expression and peer connection. 

At the end of Camp NetWorx!, each camper and project team member received a physical photo box commemorating the camp along with a certificate of participation. 

Initially, each camper’s ‘backpack of favorites’ was used to initiate self-discovery, personal expression and group connection.  Early ‘my favorite’ sharing supported each camper’s expression of individuality and commonality.  Facilitated camp interaction fostered sharing and exploration and built a camp friendly community where campers were encouraged to mirror and model networking competencies through sharing, listening and encouragement.  Hence, its name Camp NetWorx!