How the Village des Sources came to be in RimouskiHow the Village des Sources came to be in Rimouski

Nowadays, youth live a fast-paced lifestyle; they study, work, achieve things... Their lifestyle is governed by computers, television, video games, music. The life they live resembles the video clips they’re exposed to: it’s intense, rapid, often superficial, quickly absorbed. These youth have leisure activities, outings, meetings, events. But one thing they don’t have is time. They don’t have time to think, stop, socialize, share, develop strong relationships... No time... or no place? Both, perhaps. At the Centre Goéland, the Village des Sources l’Étoile Filante can be a haven for youth.

Village des Sources Village des Sources l’Étoile Filantel’Étoile Filante

Basic principlesBasic principles::Welcoming peopleWelcoming people

Sharing – listening to the hearts Sharing – listening to the hearts of youthof youth

Commitment to becoming Commitment to becoming better peoplebetter people

Values of the Village des Sources Values of the Village des Sources l’Étoile Filantel’Étoile Filante

Human respect and dignityHuman respect and dignityUnconditional acceptance of Unconditional acceptance of

differencesdifferencesAbility to grow at one’s own paceAbility to grow at one’s own paceCompassion for othersCompassion for othersImproved self-esteemImproved self-esteem

Values of the Village des Sources Values of the Village des Sources l’Étoile Filante …l’Étoile Filante …

Forgiveness – liberation of self and othersForgiveness – liberation of self and othersAuthenticity – being OK in the presentAuthenticity – being OK in the presentChristian values and spiritual dimensionChristian values and spiritual dimensionProtection of and respect for natureProtection of and respect for natureComing to the realization that the heart is Coming to the realization that the heart is

the gateway to the discovery of self and the gateway to the discovery of self and othersothers

How the camp worksHow the camp works First night – Welcome, ice breaker games, First night – Welcome, ice breaker games,

socialization, familiarization with locationsocialization, familiarization with location

Full day – Games, dancing, nature walk, Full day – Games, dancing, nature walk, how I feel, silence, special night, etc.how I feel, silence, special night, etc.

Last morning – Cleaning party, group Last morning – Cleaning party, group photos, 2photos, 2ndnd silence, our dreams, evaluation, silence, our dreams, evaluation, return to schoolreturn to school

ConfidentialityConfidentiality

We must not reveal the games, the silence We must not reveal the games, the silence and the messages disclosed by others and the messages disclosed by others participating in the camp.participating in the camp.

We encourage youth to talk to their parents We encourage youth to talk to their parents about what they experienced at the Village about what they experienced at the Village des Sources l’Étoile Filante in order to des Sources l’Étoile Filante in order to encourage them to continue growing in their encourage them to continue growing in their pedagogy of the heart.pedagogy of the heart.

FOLLOW-UP visitFOLLOW-UP visit

School visit by the facilitators of the Village School visit by the facilitators of the Village des Sources l’Étoile Filante a few weeks des Sources l’Étoile Filante a few weeks after the event.after the event.

Reflections on what they learned about the Reflections on what they learned about the camp while they were at the Centre camp while they were at the Centre Goéland.Goéland.

Youth testimonialsYouth testimonials…. ….

I understood that things will

change in class, but that it will

take time.

It opened

my eyes!

Mental health refers to a person’s ability to self-evaluate. In order to Mental health refers to a person’s ability to self-evaluate. In order to self-evaluate, a person must be able to reflect before making self-evaluate, a person must be able to reflect before making

personal decisions, planning for these decisions and then taking personal decisions, planning for these decisions and then taking action, so as to contribute to his or her emotional, social and action, so as to contribute to his or her emotional, social and

physical development.physical development.

I found a great deal of self-confidence and trust in

others. It’s a new beginning. The Village des

Sources is something I want to do for the rest of

my life!

Being responsible and in control: feeling in control Being responsible and in control: feeling in control of one’s life.of one’s life.

I am going to forgive 539 times with kindness, kindness, kindness.

I will love people as they are, and not resort to bullying.

I am going home with a new silence in me

The mental health and wellness recipe is unique for everyone.The mental health and wellness recipe is unique for everyone.

I learned that even though some people annoy us, we must still include them. Otherwise, it can lead to violence. The seeds that we plant in the garden of our heart are the

seeds that we will harvest.

• • Satisfying our three mental health needs – being able to make Satisfying our three mental health needs – being able to make choices, feeling included and supported, and recognizing our choices, feeling included and supported, and recognizing our

strengths – allows us to make healthy lifestyle choices.strengths – allows us to make healthy lifestyle choices.

I am going home with a heart full of joy!

I learned that we must respect and trust others, and have trust in ourselves.

..

I am going home to try and have a fresh start.I have experienced something unforgettable and inexplicable.

I have a renewed faith, and in my heart there is joy and peace. I now have a better connection with others in my class.

Re-establishing one’s identity while maintaining a core positive sense of self.

Finding and preserving hope: believing in yourself, feeling like you can accomplish things,

being optimistic about the future.

I really liked how you listened to what we had to say. You made time to be with us.

I am going home with a smile on my face and a

desire to be nice to everyone.

Our dreams and projections into the future for the Village des Sources l’Étoile Filante

Offer camps in all Acadian regions of Prince Edward Island.Offer camps to all students from kindergarten to Grade 12.Have a person responsible for camp coordination (possibly a secondment from the FLSB)Rally various organizations or affiliations in order to fund camps (ex. FLSB, Health Services Network, Richelieu Clubs, Centre d’éducation chrétienne, diocese, Credit Union, parents committee, etc.)Create Village des Sources l’Étoile Filante teams in all Acadian regions of Prince Edward Island.