Self-esteem, conflict resolution, health, and decision making was the theme for the S.W.A.T. (Students Working Against Tobacco) Day-Camp, held July 24-28.
Barbara Ware, a character coordinator of Family Health and Education Services, along with Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi were sponsors of the camp, where students came together to talk about not just the dangers of tobacco, but other concepts such as communication skills and self-esteem.
The reason these other concepts were added is that children have to "be able to communicate well, learn how to say 'no,' and stick up for themselves and make good decisions" when it comes to dealing with peer pressure and other situations, Ware said.
The camp was started in efforts by Attorney General Mike Moore to deal with prominent issues involving youth and tobacco.
The day-camp ended Friday. According to Ware, a 12-step program will follow with the students going to nursing homes, visiting hospitals and other activities.
Up to 60 students participated in learning how to use the PORC (meaning Problems, Options, Results and Choices) skills. Also, they learned different ways to communicate with each other through activities in a workbook provided by the camp.
"We also had posters and advertisements, where we showed them what could happen to their bodies if they smoked," Ware said.
She added how the concept on self-esteem came into play. "We wanted them to feel good enough about themselves to not want to smoke."
Lillie West and Lorraine Carruth, of Shiloh Seventh Day Adventist Church, and Marlon Hill, were also on hand this week as instructors along with Ware.
The participants of the camp were rewarded with pencils and notebooks, fruit, and a T-shirt, sporting the motto, "A Mission, A Calling, For Pure Hearts, Pure Minds, and Pure Bodies. We Decide! It's Up To Me!"
