SANTA ANA : Camp Aims to Build Student Self-Esteem

About 1,000 students in the Santa Ana Unified School District are expected to attend a special summer program aimed at building self-esteem.

The third annual Peer Assistance Leadership camp is designed to hone students’ leadership skills and instill an anti-drug message. It is being sponsored by the district’s Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Education Program, said district spokeswoman Rosemary Ramos.

Specially trained high school students will run the daylong camps, which will be held at McFadden Intermediate School Monday through Thursday. Activities will include “What’s Special About Me?” a game in which youngsters write down their positive attributes. The elementary school students volunteered for the program during the 1992-93 school year and come from throughout the district, Ramos said.

High school students will emphasize the camp’s main themes. The message that it’s not “cool” to do drugs or join gangs is more meaningful to young students when it comes from people closer to their own age, Ramos said.

Guest speakers will include those from the California Highway Patrol, the Chamber of Commerce and the County Department of Education. They will discuss the importance of finishing school and discuss career opportunities. Police Officer John Reed and his puppet partner Shortstuff will talk to students about self-esteem and making good decisions.

The camp will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and parents are encouraged to observe the activities. The school is located at 2701 S. Raitt St.