Dover fifith grader hopes to serve as student ambasador in Canada

  • By Kyle Valentini
  • January 15, 2012
  • 327
                        
Summary: Dover fifth grader, Cameron Johnson has an opportunity to visit western Canada as a student ambassador in the People to People Ambassador Program in June of this year. Because it is costly, Cameron has taken on the task of fundraising and has been able to raise half of the money he’ll need so far. His latest fundraiser includes Valentine chocolate suckers, bouquets and chocolate covered pretzels. Phenomenal, exciting, awesome and life-changing are just some of the words used by students that have participated in People to People Ambassador Programs. People to People Ambassador Programs is the world's most recognized and respected educational travel provider. For nearly 50 years, People to People Ambassador Programs has helped more than a half a million people bridge cultural and political borders through education and exchange. Cameron Johnson, a fifth grader at Dover East and Dover South Elementary Schools where he participates in the TAG (Talented and Academically Gifted) Program is about to experience People to People Ambassador Programs for himself. Johnson was invited to apply for the program by his fourth grade teacher, Buffy Monteith. “We had never heard of the program before,” said Cameron’s mom, Vanessa Johnson. “Cameron received a letter in the mail and he decided to apply. He had to fill out an application and be interviewed. He was accepted. Cameron has Asperger’s Syndrome and we believe the trip will help him be more responsible and hold himself accountable.” Asberger’s Syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder that is characterized by repetitive routines or rituals and peculiarities in speech and language, such as speaking in an overly formal manner or in a monotone, or taking figures of speech literally. Johnson will embark on a journey to western Canada on June 11 and won’t return home until June 23. The People to People Wonders of the Canadian West program includes a whale-watching expedition in the San Juan Islands, a walk on the Athabasca glacier at the Columbia Ice fields, a traditional afternoon royal tea at the world-renowned Fairmont Empress Hotel, a visit to Banff Upper Hot Springs at the base of Sulphur Mountain, Monkido, an amazing climbing course and zip line that soars high above a massive Douglas fir forest and so much more. The trip will allow Cameron and his travelling companions that include students, teachers and a delegation manager to meet a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer and learn about the organization’s incredible history, interact with wildlife and marine biologists at the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre, discover daily life in a Hutterite colony, learn how to make an obsidian arrowhead from a renowned archaeologist, get a behind the scenes look at Canadian government as they visit Parliament in Victoria, British Columbia’s capital city, sing sacred Blackfoot songs inside a sweat lodge and spend the night in a teepee. The activity-filled trip comes with a hefty price tag. At $4900, Cameron has taken to fundraising so he can afford the trip. “I have raised about half of the money I will need for the trip so far,” said Cameron. “I am selling chocolate covered pretzels, chocolate suckers, and chocolate sucker bouquets.” Cameron has set up a web site to further his fundraising efforts at www.cameronscanadianwestadventure.weebly.com. “We realize it’s a lot of money but we believe it will be worth it for Cameron to have this opportunity,” said Nick Johnson, Cameron’s dad. “People to People gives the kids an opportunity to earn scholarships and they give them lots of fundraising ideas.” Cameron is no stranger to fundraising. Last spring he raised more than $1000 to help a Columbus man pay his bills while he recovered from a broken neck. The fundraising was part of a community service project that was required for Cameron to earn his junior black belt in Tae Kwon Do. When asked if he was afraid to be away from home for so long without his parents, Cameron responded, no. “I am a little excited, however,” said Cameron. He also said he would miss his dog, Sadie the most while he was away. If you would like to help Cameron raise money for his trip you can contact him through his web site.


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