At camp, junior youth learn how to contribute to a better world Posted: 01 Sep 2010 11:09 AM PDT A junior youth shares her painting with a woman at the senior’s home.Toronto, Ontario, 1 September 2010 (CBNS) — “Pre-teens” are often judged as problematic, unresponsive and self-consumed, but last week a group of 25 junior youth proved otherwise. They came from neighbourhoods across Toronto, where they have been participating in groups that enhance their ability to express themselves, reinforce moral structures, and give them tools to work for the common good. Together, they participated in a camp that highlighted their altruism, sense of justice and desire to contribute to a better world. Camps such as this help participants, usually aged 12 to 14, see the impact of their efforts on a wider scale. “It lifts up their spirits,” said 17-year-old Riaz, a youth who has been helping with one of the groups in Mississauga for the past three years. “It makes them feel a part of something bigger than themselves.” The junior youth studied portions of a text called “Learning about Excellence”, set in China, which explores how material and spiritual development of a community must go hand in hand. “I learned a lot of things,” said Ahmed, one of the junior youth: “Truthfulness, justice, rectitude of conduct.” Another junior youth from a newly formed group, Jason, described it as “believing in doing things the right way.”