“A lot of kids of my generation dismiss older people. They don’t think these people have anything important to say. But they do. The things I’ve read in history books … these people have lived through them. They have added a ton of value to my life.”
Joanna Flynn, 17, Best Day Participant
“An older adult writes and speaks, and a young person transcribes the heartfelt words into typed text. It’s a beautiful partnership across time. The words of these stories bring back the past, but more important than that, they fulfill our common human need to be heard, to be listened to, to connect.”
Lisa Marsh Ryerson, President, AARP Foundation – in the Foreword of The Best Day of My Life So Far Storybook
Program at a Glance
Grand Camp is The Best Day of My Life So Far’s Youth Leadership Training Academy – and a perfect way for youth to get involved with Best Day wherever they are located. Grand Camp is a youth edition of our established Story Cure training program, and puts the power of story-listening in the hands of the next generation.
This 4-week program guides high school and middle school students to connect with older adults in their local communities and to become more active, compassionate listeners. Students will gain valuable communication and leadership skills, while building a meaningful intergenerational relationship.
This Best Day Program is comprised of lessons on communicating with and listening to older adults. The lessons are delivered via video instructions, and thus, are accessible to a diverse and geography-neutral audience (and are not contingent on a supervisor or teacher who is already an expert in this subject). If schools or organizations choose, they can also allow participants to view the videos on their own schedule, allowing for the realities of the busy lives of teenagers. Students then “test” these lessons in the real world, interacting with older adults in person (when possible).
At the end of this program, students are recognized for their commitment and mastery of the important skills taught, along with receiving the priceless benefit of creating a connection with an older adult.
Program Benefits
The Grand Camp Youth Leadership Academy addresses some of the most important concerns for high school and middle school students today and meets many of their timeless needs during adolescence.
- In a post-Covid, high-tech world, many teens have the experience of social isolation in their own lives, without a clear solution for addressing it (Social Program Evaluation Group (SPEG), Queen’s University and The Students Commission of Canada, Centre April 2014 report)…Grand Camp facilitates a real-world relationship and provides the skills to decrease the gaps between people.
- Along with an increased need for social connection, many students fell behind with social skills (including communication and connection skills)… Grand Camp supports both listening and communication skills, along with helping students become better storytellers (their stories and the stories of others).
- Intergenerational relationships allow for the kind of mentorship and “scaffolding” of youth that allows them to stretch and grow emotionally and intellectually beyond what they could do without the support of an adult (Stanford Center on Longevity, June 2016; Urie Bronfenbrenner, Albert Bandura)… Grand Camp allows students to learn from older adults without feeling like they’re being taught! They learn from and through the kinds of questions asked of them, the stories they hear and the content they are exposed to when speaking with someone from another generation.
Program Specifics
- Activities: Each week, for four weeks, campers will learn a critical story-listening skill by watching a short video from Best Day Founder, Benita Cooper. Each lesson concludes with a challenge to the student to apply the lesson in a real person-to-person interaction.
- Length: Grand Camp is a four-week program. The time commitment is just 35 mins each week, featuring a fun 2-3 minute video and a simple 30-min activity. Campers at each school/hosting venue (aka “Camp Site”) are encouraged to view together weekly; individual campers can also rewatch any time of any day – we know how busy school and sports could be for youth and have designed this experience to be flexible to their schedules. Of course, students can choose to dedicate more time if they wish, for an even richer experience.
- Cost: For a ten-student program, the cost of Grand Camp is $500. We encourage schools and organizations to support their students in fundraising or writing grants to support this program. We believe that this model promotes student leadership and deepens their commitment to the program’s success.
- Recognition: Upon completion, students are named a Best Day Youth Ambassador, and receive a certificate confirming that they have mastered the skills taught in the program.
- About Us: Learn more about Best Day’s mission, impact and history. Download our printable flyer.
Ready to Get Involved?
Step 1. Apply
If your school or organization is interested in becoming a Grand Camp Site, please have an authorized representative fill out this application form. We offer four start dates per year to align with the academic calendar; the due date is two months before your program start date – please see the form for details. Once we receive your form, we will contact you promptly to discuss your application.
Step 2. Fundraise
Raise $500 to bring Grand Camp to your school or community organization. Simply ask all your donors to contribute their donations here. In the description box, ask them to name your school and city as the Grand Camp Site that they would like your donation to go towards. We will contact you to share the good news once your full Camp funding has been received!
Step 3. Grow
There are many ways to expand or continue your school/organization’s involvement with Grand Camp, and opportunities are available to connect with Founder Benita Cooper to become more involved. Examples include:
- Build up your program by adding more students at a discounted price
- Add on an in-person training day or storytelling day (click here to learn about our Story Pop Up program)
- Volunteer with The Best Day of My Life So Far or recommend an expert you know (click here to meet our team)
- Contact us with any ideas you have, and let’s get creative on what we can do together!