Ingersoll Boy Represents

Tuesday, 1 July 2014 12:20

Maya Scott, Brock Lanctot, leader Jalyssa Steinmann, Sydney Milne and William Suozzi are heading to Norway

11-year-old Ingersoll boy William Suozzi is heading to Norway to represent Canada in a 28 day summer camp

INGERSOLL – It's going to be an experience of a lifetime for an 11-year-old boy from Ingersoll.

William Suozzi is a member of Children's International Summer Villages and was recently selected to represent Canada in Norway this summer.

Three other youths from the London chapter of CISV will travel with William for a 28 day summer program, along with their adult leader Jalyssa.

The organization, which focuses on building global friendships, will teach the kids about human rights, diversity, conflict resolution and sustainable development. Their belief is peace in our world needs to start with kids.

William said in the days leading up to his trip, he's feeling a number of emotions as he prepares to meet other youths from roughly a dozen other countries.

"I'm nervous, I'm scared, I'm excited – Canada and the United States are the only countries [at the camp] that speak English so there's only eight children and two adult leaders who speak English at this camp so it will be pretty cool trying to communicate with everybody," William said.

"Mom said it will be difficult but it will be fun."

William said the group has a bit of time to see parts of Norway and will also stay with a host family for the first weekend.

"The countries that are going are Brazil, Finland, Germany, Guatemala, India, Jordan, Norway, Philippines, Romania, Spain, USA, Denmark and Sweden. And of course Canada."

William's mother Karen said as part of the program, each group must teach the other kids about their country.

"Opening night, they open the camp up to the community members and people from the local island will come and learn all about the countries there and so we have a big presentation where William is putting together a PowerPoint so that he can show pictures of his community and his country and giving out little gifts – food samples."

William's group plans to teach the other groups about hockey and hopefully incorporate maple syrup and bacon into their food presentation.