Retreat at Camp Fircom

On July 23-25, I joined ten men from the DTES and three staff for the first "Wellness Retreat" at Camp Fircom  on Gambier Island. This was a remarkable and memorable experience for all involved and a great success leading to the possibility of a return visit in Sept. We shared the space with camping staff that was training for the upcoming children's groups. We shared a common table at meals and many of the activities including canoeing, kayaking, archery, evening campfires, hiking, swimming, working in the garden, and helping clean up an an area under reconstruction. 

Jeff Willis, the executive director was directly involved with our group, initially making everyone feel welcome and affirming the pledge of the camp that all involved will be treated with dignity. It was amazing to see the groups merge with open exchanges and mutual support. Our group named themselves "The Boys from DTES" and all commented how they were able to operate with trust and openess just being away from the culture of the Eastside. We are hoping that this group of men will become part of the group we hope to become  the nucleus for creating a community at First United Church that promotes wellness.                                               

As you know it is my commitment to be part of creating the cultural - social networks that are essential for recovery from addiction or the trauma that creates home-lessness. I feel there must be a spiritual component to this, and the Christian Church at large ought to be the ideal setting. It must be stronger and more influential than the drug culture. Hence, my interest in presenting workshops on addiction. 

For a few days I saw this in effect. The spirit of cooperation was wonderful and I am so pleased a number of the men shared with me traumas, events, and issues that were troubling them.

One of the participants was Brad Firth, a member of the Gwichin band (related to the Navajo tribe) who grew up in the Arctic. He has three years being clean and sober. He was active as an athlete growing up but this was lost in his addiction. He has started running marathons being associated with Run for Change. RFC works in partnership with Carnegie Community Centre and its aim is to introduce low-income, shelter, recovery and homeless people living in Vancouver’s Downtown East side to a healthier, more active lifestyle through regular running/walking.

Next May 8th, Brad is planning on running from Vancouver to Inuvik, North West Territories to draw attention to recovery from addiction. It is 2800 miles and he plans to take 3-4 months to complete his Run to the Arctic. I committed to being there for his departure.

Jeff Willis has done a wonderful job reorganizing Camp Fircom which has gone through a major reconstruction and renewal of program in the last few years. He has a heart for DTES and we discussed holding a 5 day addictions workshop titled The Next Step. I am in the process of writing up a proposal which would be for 9 men who are in some stage of recovery. The goal would be to consider what would be the next step for them to regain the potential they lost in addiction as well as the next step in moving beyond the losses experienced in addiction.

The potential of Fircom is unlimited, as is the possibility of offering workshops there if our thinking materializes.