03-08-00 Eastern Echo

Volunteer work makes Jason Camis GREAT (Great People at EMU series)

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Jason Camis is a busy person. A student of the Parks and Recreation program in the College of Education, Jason came to Eastern Michigan University in the fall of 1997 looking for a degree program in a field he loved. Instead, he found much more. On the road to find a "calling" Jason originally began his academic career at Eastern in 1995, enrolling in a full load of basic studies classes. He hated it. Since he didn't live on campus he found it difficult to meet people and he felt isolated and unfulfilled. After one semester he left EMU for Concordia College, enticed by the opportunity to play a collegiate sport-baseball. After finding out he did not meet the eligibility requirements for the current season, Jason ended up staying for only one additional semester and then decided to take time off from his academic pursuits and find a job. A private youth camp in New Jersey was his next stop. As a recruiter for the camp, Jason spent long hours traveling up and down the East Coast talking to prospective campers and their families. After camper recruitment was finished for the year he then turned his attention to recruiting staff. It was an experience that convinced him that his interests lie in the area of Parks and Recreation. He says, "I decided I loved the outdoors. I wanted to do something outdoors and something with kids." Although the long hours were wearing, (his average workweek often totaling over 75 hours) Jason had found something that called to him as a possible career. He headed home to Michigan and enrolled in the Parks and Recreation program here at Eastern. He was impressed with Vic Chiasson, Assistant Professor of HPER & D. "I had some excellent classes with Vic Chiasson. His classes inspired me," says Jason, "he was so creative and so enthusiastic about recreation." Professor Chiasson's enthusiasm was infectious. And Jason caught the bug. "I'd always thought about being a teacher," Jason says. "What was different with recreation was that you can teach kids, but it's fun. A lot of education is dry and the kids don't want to learn. But with recreation, kids want it. You can teach them lessons about life, integrated in a recreation program, that they want to learn." A trip to McKenny changes his life With his classes going well, Jason decided that he wanted to get more involved in campus activities. During a trip to McKenny Union he wandered down to the Campus Life offices and picked up a few brochures, browsing for a moment among the opportunities to participate in various community service projects. His curiosity, and a well-phrased pitch from a volunteer worker, brought his attention to a program called Alternative Spring Break. It would be the moment that would change his life. He signed up for an alternative spring break trip to Florida. Jason says, "I met a lot of people [on the trip], and they were just amazing. I met other people who were super-involved on campus. I thought, 'Wow, there's stuff to do here.'" His days of isolation as a student were over. He found a community of people, as well as a purpose, which would begin to define his experience at Eastern. Getting involved Jason began working with various volunteer and service agencies through the Campus Life V.I.S.I.O.N. project (Volunteers Incorporating Service Into Our Neighborhoods). Peggy Harless, Community Service Director for EMU, believes Jason is a fine example of a student role model. "Jason really has his heart in what he does," she says. "He's very good at accessing need in a community and organizing the people-and organizing the structure of the program-to address those needs. His focus is on meeting the needs of the community he's trying to serve, and he pulls in all his resources to make that happen." Jason found that community service was an area where he felt he could make a difference. He believes that many people of his generation are finding fulfillment through volunteer work. He says, "This generation of students volunteer more, they are more involved. [We know] that there are a lot of people out there that we can help-not only with our money but with something more valuable, our time." After returning from his first alternative spring break, Jason felt the desire to get more deeply involved. He decided to take the next step in service learning-not only participating in the programs but learning to plan these experiences for other students at Eastern. He applied for the position of Regional Director of Break Away, and enrolled in their training program called ABC, or Alternative Break Citizenship school. Here he learned how to run an alternative break program, how to train staff to plan trips, how to fund-raise and the details of legal issues in dealing with these types of programs. The goal of the ABC is to teach individuals how to set up a quality alternative break program. Dan McCabe, director of the Break Away program headquartered in Washington, DC, says, "Jason is one of the most driven and effective people I've met. If you hand him a project, you can be sure he will get it done." Finding a niche at Break Away Jason has served as a program coordinator for Alternative Spring Break programs since 1998. In addition, he is the Northern Regional Director of the Student Coalition and sits on Break Away's Advisory Board-one of only two students on the 21 person panel. As a member of Break Away's Student Coalition he is involved with planning the national conference, organizing the Alternative Break Citizenship schools, advising other universities who are looking to set up or improve their alternative spring break programs, and designing new programs for the agency. Jason recently proposed and implemented a new kind of community service trip. Most alternative break excursions are staffed by one university's students, but Jason had a better idea. He decided it would be beneficial to make contact with people at other universities who participate in community service by developing an excursion manned by a mixed group of students from around the country. The result: Break Away 2000. �

Break Away 2000 changes lives �This was a national alternative break that brought over 70 students from a dozen colleges across the country to New Orleans for the purpose of refurbishing an inner-city school during the winter vacation-which also happened to coincide with the millennial celebration in the party capitol of the U.S. Not only did students come from all over the country to work together toward a common goal, but what makes this trip remarkable was that it was drug and alcohol free. Mrs. Carol Edgar-Lang, principal of William J. Fischer Elementary School in New Orleans, cannot say enough about Jason and the students who came to her school during the winter break. She says, "Jason Camis is an outstanding young man. Just a wonderful human being." She likens the work of Jason's trip to that of messengers sent from God. "God sent an angel on assignment [to us], with a host of angels, to work in an inner-city school at the turn of the century," Edgar-Lang says. "They were wholesome people, drug and alcohol free. And they worked so hard for us, the children just loved them. They especially loved Jason, and I've decided to adopt him as my son." Jason's corps of students did many projects while in New Orleans, and impressed Mrs. Edgar-Lang with their tireless devotion. Jason, she says, was the center of this blessed delegation to her under-funded inner-city school. She hopes he will come back again. "The child was god-sent, that's all I can say. We love Jason," she says. McCabe, of Break Away, says, "That program was exceptional, and Jason can take the credit for it coming off so well." McCabe sees in Jason a person who isn't afraid to take control and be a leader. "He doesn't need much guidance or mentorship. He has a vision and a passion and a confidence in what he's doing," he says. "Jason knows how to make things happen." Break Away 2000 gave Jason memories he'll never forget. He says, "I know some day I'll tell my grandkids about it. I'm going to be proud to say I was there in New Orleans during the celebration. And I didn't have to be drinking to have a good time." McCabe believes that Jason is a great representative for Break Away, as well as an outstanding example of student leadership for the Eastern community. He says, "He has an energy and passion about him that people can really feed off of. When he speaks to a crowd they immediately get excited, because he believes so much in what he's doing." Jason's ability to inspire was evident in the great contribution Break Away 2000 made to Edgar-Lang's school and community. She's hoping he'll come back again soon. Leadership in the National and International Community In February Jason will be going to a conference in Ecuador hosted by the International Partnership for Service Learning. There he will present a program detailing Break Away's Alternative Break program; as well as another presentation dealing with curriculum-based alternative breaks. Curriculum-based service learning experiences are those that are incorporated into a college course. The student, under the direction of the professor, goes out and performs a community service project, and then brings the experience back to the classroom, using the experience as tool for learning how to implement such programs in their future careers. While at the conference in Ecuador, Jason will also be attending workshops and touring local agencies. Says Dan McCabe, "I couldn't go to the conference in Ecuador due to funding [restraints]. But I feel confident that Jason can present [a program about Break Away] as well as me. Perhaps even better than me." "I'm so excited about Ecuador," says Jason. "The chance to be where the international community is looking to implement, and compare, their community service programs is a great opportunity." Jason's participation in the conference in Ecuador is just one of the results of his dedication to community service. McCabe says he will nominate Jason for a prestigious national award called the President's Student Service Award, bestowed by the Points of Light Foundation that was established in May of 1990 by former President George Bush. "I'm hoping that [this award] will bring Jason some national recognition for his efforts," says McCabe. McCabe describes Jason's presentation skills as being effective and convincing. "We joke around here at the Break Away offices in Washington that Jason would be the best used-car salesman," he says. "But Jason wouldn't use his skills for his own gain, unless it's to get a program he believes in some funding or support. He's selling from the heart instead of for himself." Using his skills here on campus Jason's involvement in community service often carries over into his classes. When Professor Chiasson put together a class project in conjunction with the Ypsilanti Township to host an alternative spring break day-camp for area kids, Jason stepped forward as the project coordinator. "Jason took the lead and acted as the liaison between the agency and our class," says Chiasson. "And as a result the township made nearly a five thousand dollar donation to the student recreation organization that will allow students [in the Recreation organization] to travel to state conferences." Chiasson recognizes in Jason a trait that marks all good educators-curiosity. "He was always asking questions, looking for ways to get involved and apply what he was learning to his community service endeavors." Jason is the president of the Student Recreation Organization for EMU, as well as the student president of the MRPA, or Michigan Recreation and Parks Association. This year, says Chiasson, Jason is organizing a Student Conference for the MRPA-only the second student conference of its kind. The last one was held in 1972, and coincidentally a young Chiasson in his role as that year's student MRPA president organized it. "It's kind of nice that Jason is doing this, it sort of brings it full circle back to EMU." The student conference will be held the last weekend in January, immediately followed by the MRPA State conference where Jason will be the lead speaker. His presentation is called "Discover the untapped potential of university student involvement in your program." Chiasson is confident that Jason will give an exciting presentation. He believes Jason's passion and drive will make his future professional endeavors limited only by his interests. �"He can create, he can sell, and he can execute," says Chiasson. "That's what it takes to be successful in the field he wants to go into." What's on Jason's agenda At the end of this month Jason will participate, as well as present, to the student and state MRPA conferences in Lansing. Then it's off to the conference in Ecuador for the second week in February. After that he will be attending, and again presenting, at a C.O.O.L. (Community Outreach Opportunity League) national conference in New Hampshire. As the year rolls on it's likely he'll be in other parts of the country with the various organizations he works with. This summer he has offered to train other students for the Break Away alternative break programs for no salary. He's offered to work for just room and board, going wherever Break Away can best use his expertise. Is there MORE? In addition to the work with campus programs and the Break Away Foundation, Jason has also found time to hold a job waiting tables at the Red Lobster in Novi. He often spends his summers at various children's camps around the country, most recently as the director for one of the Girl Scout's summer camps. "We need more 'good-guy' role models for girls," he says. "[We need more men] being compassionate, or being tough and stern when we need to. Letting the girls have their little crushes once in a while, but knowing when to 'ixnay' it." Jason believes it's important to cross those gender role lines and reach out to many different kinds of people. In addition, he has held the position of Excursion Coordinator for Campus Life, and is an Orientation Leader and a member of the Orientation Advisory Team. He's worked on numerous projects through the Campus Life offices. Where will he go from here? Jason says he has no firm plans for his career when he graduates this April. He will see what's out there, and what calls to him, before he makes a decision. It's apparent he'll have a host of offers when he finally finishes school. Peggy Harless, Eastern's Community Service Coordinator believes Jason's abilities will take him far, regardless of the direction he goes-into the business world, or into community service. "There are people who create things and there are people who maintain them and run them," she says. "Jason will be on the creating end of it. He will establish [something] and then step up and go to the next thing. He's an idea person." "He's a very dynamic person," says Harless. His professional endeavors will mirror what he has already done on campus, according to Vic Chiasson. He says, "It's been a pleasure to have him in our program. The passion he has for working with people has been demonstrated time and time again." "He's been an inspiration to everyone in the program from what he's done, because people have followed his lead. I think that says a lot," says Chiasson. Mrs. Carol Edgar-Lang, principal of the Fischer Elementary School in New Orleans says, "I'm encouraging him to come back here and teach in our school [when he graduates]. The children love him, and I love him. He's my adopted son." Her strong feelings for Jason mirror those of all the children he worked with while in New Orleans. Dan McCabe of Break Away hopes his vision for Jason's future will become reality. He's hoping to attain enough funding to bring Jason to Break Away on a full time basis. "Truthfully, I hope I can get him here," says McCabe. "He'd be a real asset, and I hope I can convince him to work for us on a national level." Says McCabe, "There's no limit to where he's going to go." What are Jason's goals? He hopes he can use his talents to help other people through the various community service programs with which he has been affiliated. He'd like to use his abilities to inspire more people to make a commitment to community service. He says, "If we can only take it a step further and get people to do it [volunteering] every day, and not just on the holidays. Service is a lifetime thing," says Jason. "I believe in it." �