AUGUST 2013
the newsletter for Nuçi’s Space, a nonprofit musicians’ support/resource center
Apple A Day
I
t’s that time of year again when our small college town begins to ready itself for the return of University students. The construction projects that began in May are still in full swing as they try to beat their August deadlines and young parents are almost finished navigating the complex web of camps and activities that kept their children active during the summer. For Nuçi’s Space, the summer months are a time of renewal and reflection as we too prepare for an active fall season. In addition to finishing a few maintenance projects around the Space, the staff and Board of Directors welcome the return of Camp Amped, our summer youth program designed to reach out to and nurture aspiring musicians. The idea for Camp Amped was first conceived in the Fall of 2006 by a group of University students who were working as interns at Nuçi’s Space. While discussing the average age (typically mid-to-late twenties) in which musicians sought counseling assistance, one of the students asked a simple yet transformative question, “What if we reached out to younger people and let them know we’re here now?” The unfortunate truth was that many of us watched our young friends and family members struggle for years, waiting until their situation was much darker, before seeking help. However, our discussion led to a much more complex question, “How would we do this?” We would have to bring young people into the Space to achieve our goal. Using the same building blocks and philosophy that our founder Linda Phillips started Nuçi’s Space with, the program focused on using music as a vehicle to educate, build community and promote a culture of health and well-being. Now in its seventh year, Camp Amped has grown into a well-known and respected program of Nuçi’s Space.
“Apples and Onions” During the two weeks that students and instructors come together for a session of Camp Amped, the end of each day is marked by everyone gathering together in a large circle, sitting next to one another. After a few announcements are made, the ritual of what has
by
Bob Sleppy
become known as “Apples and Onions” commences. One by one, each student and instructor shares with the group their best moments (apples) of the day and then their low-points (onions) of the day. The “apples” might include praise for the lunch that was donated by a local restaurant or for an instructor that helped them learn a difficult section of music. However, the most rewarding “apple” to witness is when the students choose each other as the highpoint of their day. It’s not uncommon to hear someone say, “my apple was when Hailey ripped that guitar solo during rehearsal” or “my apple was when my band mates encouraged me to sing even though I don’t think I’m a very good singer.” The practice not only encourages everyone to share and build trust amongst each other, but helps to strengthen the bond that they will share for many years to come and possibly a lifetime. As expected, the final closing circle on the last day of camp is often bittersweet. For some of the students it signifies the last time they will attend the program as they prepare for their senior year in high school. During our first session of Camp Amped in June, I had the opportunity to listen to the students and instructors during their final closing circle. I was humbled by the maturity, intelligence and self-awareness these young people exhibited. I felt like an eager student as they taught me about friendship, community, bravery and support for one another. One by one, each camper expressed themselves without regard for how they’d be judged or perceived by their peers. What may have started out as 20 kids and 8 instructors had evolved into a family. Knowing how many people walk through our door, feeling alone and isolated from the world around them, I couldn’t help but think to myself, “I wish everyone had the opportunity to experience this moment.” A few years ago the parent of a Camp Amped student wrote “a letter to the editor” to our local paper in support of Nuçi’s Space. She asked (and answered) “How does Camp Amped correlate with the Nuçi’s Space goal of suicide prevention? By reaching out to these young musicians and forming lasting relationships so that they will know where to turn in the future if they need any kind of support. What a brilliant idea!”
nuçi’s space 396 Oconee Street Athens, GA 30601 706.227.1515 space@nuci.org www.nuci.org www.facebook.com/ nucisspace Newsletter Contributors
Bob Sleppy Chris Byron Lesley Cobbs Laura Ford Will Kiser Linda V. Phillips Photos
Pam Baxendale Lesley Cobbs Design & Layout
Larry Tenner