How does a gang member or anyone make his/her way out to camp? How long do people stay? For almost 30 years I’ve had the pleasure of coming to know so many of those who, in our society, have been deemed second-class. Camp Carmangay is about front line targeting and the interruption of violent crime / street gang demographic. I have a 1996 Cadillac. It’s a taxi… mostly used to connect with people (
mostly on the street) sometimes it’s a cab. I have known the core, which now, are gang members. I encountered many of them a long time ago when they were wards of government programs. Because the demographic is so high risk and not as likely to show success I have been cautioned against effecting change in live that are destitute, without hope or opportunity. Keep in mind that I’m already fairly well know as a result of my work at camp of getting the Cadillac /cab mobile and down into the inner city…the core of the action…into the shadows and the alleyways where discards dwell and by the way street gangs are born out of a necessity to find a security in numbers and a family and acceptance. A regular life with is what everybody wants buy how long can anyone endure being kicked and spat at. (“It’s tough to eat dirt” Brandon said, a brilliant guy) born into gang life, as were many of them. Subject to horrors you can’t imagine I spent my youth riding a bike. He spent his watching beatings. I don’t promise anything. I don’t guarantee success but I do guarantee an opportunity to succeed. To succeed in embracing the notion that one can become the master of his own destiny and change the course of life’s journey onto another path. The path of discovery and embracement that each one of us has greatness within…a greatness bestowed upon even before birth… so lets cut the crap and go get it…ha-ha
Horses, and wide open spaces… the freedom to gallop across the diverse prairie… and people wonder how we inspire at Camp Carmangay… Ha-ha
Where you can discover yourself…by yourself at your own pace in the richness of a land inspired by its natural state and magnificence. It’s the simplicity of life at Camp Carmangay and in such the discovery of the basic essential needs for survival like food, shelter and a means by which to earn enough to be able to contribute to a family without criminality. The only way out is to recognize an opportunity and to be able to take advantage of an experienced guide who knows the way out… ha-ha…sounds crazy but a range horse, a hundred year old saddle, a gang member and natural land and the freedom to go inspires contemplation to explain that impact when your out campaigning for support is difficult because it has a multiple component and is a very high risk group. There are three basic exit strategies from the street… education, sports and the arts. I want to enable these young people to be able to pursue and accomplish whatever lies within and you know what…someone will rise up. Given the opportunity… someone will…ha-ha
Who of you who have ever been on the trail with me can refute what you felt inside… can deny that your spirit came alive…the river the landscape …all made you feel something…that there was…for a moment… a peace that could bring a tear to your eye. The breeze the river the landscape all of it filled your spirit on that day…I know… I was there… ha-ha. And I galloped with you and showed you the river crossing and the sun dial, many of you showed me things too…Justice the knowledge you have of your culture and the history of the lands that appear when we ride illustrate your strong cultural relationship with the earth and the wind that moves things… it must be hard for you to be in prison but at the same time it’s good…we talked about that and we’ll ride again for sure…anyway moving on … the five guys in the cab last night…If I can see a will to pursue change of lifestyle amongst them or even if it’s one then I’ll extend an invite out to Camp Carmangay and works towards an exit strategy through either continuing education, the arts or sports…three basic and viable options to a life recurring incarceration and if I don’t see the will… we’ll still be friends and that’s how it works. Anybody willing to help financially yet? $25,000.00. Tax receipts available.
