Hello, I’m Donovan, a youth leader with Youth Odyssey and I love it! As a youth leader, I am able to go on any camping trip and ropes course that has space. Not only do I hope to graduate in the top 10% of my class, but Youth Odyssey has helped me find my passion and I plan to get a degree in recreational administration.
When I joined Youth Odyssey I was 11 years old. I was that one kid that really didn’t talk to anyone or have any friends until Youth Odyssey. The first meeting I went to was a little uncomfortable because I didn’t know anyone. Slowly, I started to open up. I kept going, and the third time I went there was an opportunity to go on a two-day camping trip. I jumped on it.
The camping trip was to Government Canyon, just a little outside of San Antonio. I had never been camping before and I have to admit, I was really nervous. I didn’t know what was going to happen or how I was going to react. Overall it went very well. I mean, I had my moments but who doesn’t.
After that trip, summer was only a month away and Youth Odyssey came to my school with summer camp flyers. These camps were a week long, and I was a little hesitant because I was scared of getting home sick. I had never been away from home that long. It took some thinking, but I really wanted to do this so I signed up.
“I became a… Youth Leader during the same summer camp. It felt so so good! I thought I could take on the world! My self confidence went through the roof.”Donovan Ortega
Summer came around and I had about 3 weeks till camp. The closer the camp got, the more nervous I became. I tried to distract myself with other things, but I couldn’t get the thought out of my head. Those 3 weeks flew by and suddenly it was time for camp. I honestly didn’t want to leave the house. My mom came to get me and we got in the car. The ride over there was silent because I was too scared to talk. When we finally got to the place where Youth Odyssey was picking everyone up I started to cry. My mom assured me everything was going to be ok. I believed her, so I got into the van and we left. It was such a long drive the fear came back and it stayed.
All week long I was home sick, which was exactly what I was scared of. It was horrible and I had the biggest attitude problem. During the day, things weren’t so bad, but at night I was like a monster. I didn’t want to be bothered at all. Until the last night when something changed. I was totally fine as if nothing ever happened. I guess I had finally settled in and gotten comfortable with being away from home.
After summer camp, I just wanted to relax, stay home and do nothing. That’s exactly what I did until the next year when Youth Odyssey started up again. I wanted to do better this year and I did. I pushed myself and that year I went on two weekend camps and another summer camp the following summer. Youth Odyssey even asked me if I wanted to be a Youth Leader in Training. Of course I said “yes”.
I think that really helped me with my homesickness. After that I just kept going on summer camps. In fact, I became an actual Youth Leader during the same summer camp. It felt so so good! I thought I could take on the world! My self confidence went through the roof.
“If it wasn’t for Youth Odyssey, I think I would be a totally different person, in so many ways.”Donovan Ortega
Changed For The Better
Camping and Ropes Courses are a fun way to reach out and teach different life skills while keeping the participants engaged in the process. I’ve been on countless camping trips and ropes courses with Youth Odyssey. Youth Leaders also help to keep Blucher Park clean. Recently, we got awarded the Action Hero Award by Corpus Christi Parks & Recreation.
I am now 15 and Youth Odyssey has truly changed me for the better. Over the years, I have become more social and have more friends. Youth Odyssey has given me the chance and the courage to appear on the local news to talk about this organization and what they have taught me. I strongly recommend Youth Odyssey to all youth because it really helps a person grow; and find out who they are. If it wasn’t for Youth Odyssey, I think I would be a totally different person, in so many ways. Before Youth Odyssey my attitude wasn’t always the best and it just kind of ran wild sometimes. Now 4 years later, you wouldn’t even know that I struggled with having a bad attitude before.
