By Marc E. Tischler
Arizona Daily Wildcat
November 5, 1997

Camp Wildcat volunteers an example for others

Editor:

A week ago last Saturday I had the privilege and the pleasure to be invited to Whispering Pines Program Center on Mount Lemmon to observe Camp Wildcat in action. Mark Zeitzer, my mentee, urged me to visit to learn about this worthwhile venture. For those who are unaware, Camp Wildcat is a non-profit, U of A student-run organization for underprivileged youth. The weekend-long Big Camp featured diversity as a theme and I was welcomed not just as a visitor but as a participant. With the diversity theme, the campers from Myers-Ganoung Elementary School gained not only a camping experience but education about differences between people and the value of teamwork. Indeed the 40 U of A students put on their own display of teamwork by coming together to offer this well-organized experience. These volunteer students set an excellent example for other university students to follow and our university community should be proud of being represented so admirably. Too often we read about negative weekend activities of students but rarely hear about the fine community service, such as Camp Wildcat, being provided by numerous students on a weekly basis. It is an honor for me to be able to teach and mentor such students. When other faculty are invited to observe Camp Wildcat activities, I strongly urge you to attend and more importantly to participate. You will find it both a worthwhile and a fun experience. I urge the University and the Tucson Community to expand their support so that Camp Wildcat can continue to flourish.

Marc E. Tischler
Professor and Head of Biochemistry