THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEEK OF APRIL 20, 2008

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Camp, 'Jam' Help Student Clubs Get Word Out On Missions

Medical and food tents, tarps, a latrine and tall grasses make up a refugee camp located in a courtyard at Glenbrook South High School.

The camp is an exhibit set up by two GBS student groups, the GBS Chapter of Amnesty International and STAND (Students Taking Action Now Darfur).

Members of the two clubs and advisor and Social Studies teacher Matt Whipple held tours last week and capped a week of events designed to raise awareness about worldwide refugee issues with a student teach-in and "Jamnesty" concert Friday night, Apr. 18.

The two clubs are in their third year holding the weeklong educational series of events.

Whipple said next year, events will be expanded to include more of the Glenview community and not just the school.

Officials from the district superintendent's office suggested that Whipple contact the Journal.

The camp was inspired by a similar, larger project held in Chicago by Doctors without Boarders (DWOB). That project created a full-scale refugee camp in the parking lot of Soldier Field.

Between the two clubs, Whipple said 80 to 100 students have been involved in the project.

DWOB donated much of the material including tarps and grasses to the GBS clubs for the project. They also provided much of the information students shared during their tours and teach-ins.

The Jamnesty Concert was held in the West Cafeteria and featured local bands.

The week of activities spotlighting the plight of refugees were scheduled to end last Friday. However, Whipple said if there is enough interest the camp might stay in place longer.