I was inspired by a group of middle school kids.

I first met my after school group at a meet-and-greet set up by an intervention specialist at one of our local schools. I introduced myself as the program specialist for a program called Step Up. I told them that if they joined my group, I would show them how to communicate better with their parents and teachers, teach them listening skills and show them how to goal plan.

Boring.

That didn’t even sound interesting to me. I knew if I wanted to get their buy-in, I had to make it sound more fun. I told them about some of the games and service learning trips we would have. One student asked, “Will you have food? Because if you have food, I’ll be there.” So, I responded with an enthusiastic “Yes!”. I don’t think any of what was said really mattered after that. They had already decided if they would come back.

Our first group session, they came in rowdy, rambunctious and seemingly uncontrollable. I didn’t let this discourage me. We talked about the expectations of our group and each student got a chance to explain what they thought it meant….at least, that is what I had planned. They all talked out of turn, made fun of each other and tried to be the loudest one talking. I left a little dispirited that day, to say the least, but I don’t give up that easy.

Our next group session was going to be better.

I sat nervously by the door after school, not knowing if they would even return. To my happy surprise, they all came pounding in! I planned a group activity that would be interactive and last about 20-30 minutes, and then we would have a reflection time. Easy peasy. As I began to explain the activity, they jumped in excited to try it out. Five minutes later – yes, I said five minutes later – they had successfully completed the activity! What? Who are these kids?

They are the most brilliant bunch of high-energy, loving teens I have ever met.

Over the next 12 weeks, we went through the lessons and I learned a lot about each one of them. I learned about their passions (which Camp Fire calls Sparks). I learned about their fears. I learned about their struggles. I began to hear from administrators and teachers about the positive changes they saw. We volunteered with multiple service learning projects each month. We played BINGO with nursing home residents, cheered for the Special Olympics, and cleaned up at the Trinity Trash Bash. We even collaborated with one of our elementary after school programs to host a Halloween Carnival! They were always so enthusiastic about lending a helping hand and putting smiles on other people’s faces.

The time came when we had gone through every lesson and activity in our curriculum. That meant we no longer would meet on a weekly basis. As I thought about ending our group, I recalled all the progress these students had made. Neither the students nor I wanted to end our sessions. So, I decided to extend their lessons to continue throughout the rest of the school year. I had one stipulation – they had to step it up.

For our first lesson, they had to create, plan, and implement their own service learning project. We put poster paper on the wall and one student volunteered to write down ideas. I stood back and let them talk it out. As they brainstormed, they narrowed down their list to one thing, a book drive. I asked them questions like what they needed, when they needed to it, how they were going to successfully accomplish it, and what the outcome would be. Their brilliant young minds went to work with ideas galore!

They would ask students to donate books from home, talk to neighbors, friends and teachers. The thing they agreed they needed first was permission from the school principal, Mr. Torrez. One student volunteered to meet with him and even prepared an outline the night before. I was so impressed at her maturity. She explained all they wanted to do and what their goal was. Mr. Torrez said, “Absolutely yes” to everything they needed. They would put a donation box in the school hallway, make announcements from the office to all students, hand out fliers and hang up posters to get the word out around school. They decided to run the drive for five weeks and deliver the books to the Ronald McDonald House during the week of Spring Break.

As the weeks went on, the buzz of the book drive died down. Not wanting to lose momentum, one student decided to stand up in front of the whole school during 6th, 7th and 8th grade lunch to announce we were still collecting books. Teachers and administrators were impressed with her courage… they are in middle school, after all. She was so proud when we met after school for our group session, she beamed with pride as she told me the story, just as I beam with pride as I tell you the story.

The deadline was here and we had to count the books and pack them up for delivery. Their goal was 500 books…. they collected…. drum roll please…. 572 books! You can imagine the excitement! The best part was when the books were delivered, they got to see who would be impacted by their dedication and courage.

My students are still a little bit wild, and whole lot rowdy – but when they give, they give their all. They inspire me to give all I have. I didn’t expect to grow so attached to these kids, as I am sure they didn’t expect to grow so attached to me. It’s crazy how they seem to think of themselves as “hard core”, yet will literally give you the shirt off their back without any hesitation. I have seen them do it. And when they are giving back to their community, they are doing it with the biggest hearts. They aren’t selfish with their time or afraid of what others will think.

That’s why they inspire me.

Who inspires you?

Connie Jackson is the Step Up Program Specialist at Camp Fire First Texas. Connie has more than 20 years of youth and child development experience. She first began working in childcare in 1993 at Camp Fire Diamond Hill Station as a summer camp counselor/after school program specialist. Connie believes children and youth are our future and need love and guidance to reach their full potential. She feels the most reward when her students accomplish a goal or overcome an obstacle.