Going into this experience, I tried to keep an open mind and not have any expectations as to what it would be like. Although I feel I accomplished this, it was still much different than I could’ve imagined. Despite not going in with any expectations, I did have this idea in the back of my mind that it would be all of us in one room, conducting storytelling activities with the kids in a very controlled environment. To my surprise, it turned out to be the complete opposite. When we got there and started to be split up, I could feel myself getting a bit anxious. It quickly went from Professor Dolson controlling the situation and conducting these activities, to each of us individually being thrown into the fire and having to conduct it ourselves. Although this was so different from what myself, and I think all of us were expecting, I think it overall went well.

For my group, I tried to keep things very casual and just get to know the kids on a base level. We went around and introduced ourselves, our names, where we are from, and a few fun facts about us or hobbies we have. To my surprise, two of the three guys in my group were super interested in cooking which I found to be interesting. I then gave a brief synopsis of what our class was like first semester and how that connects to what we are doing now. The kids, in all honesty, seemed pretty indifferent to the idea but if I were in their shoes, I would likely feel the same. For my group, and from what I’ve heard from other people on the bus ride back, it seemed like just another class for them, a task to get through. I think I had this perception that the detention center would be more of a typical jail and that this activity could be something to look forward to each Friday. However, it just seemed to be the next thing on the schedule. For my group, they seemed more excited by the gym time they had the following period.

One thing I did notice was the tight relationships all of the kids had to the staff at the detention center. They viewed them as friends and mentors, not as people keeping them from leaving this place. Hearing the banter back and forth between the kids and the staff was entertaining and showed how their relationship was both respectful but also loose and friendly.

For the second half of the time with my group, we got to go to the gym and play basketball. I think this was super effective in breaking down this barrier between us and becoming more casual with the kids. They all were impressed with my jumpshot too so that was a plus.

Overall, although the first week was nothing like I was expecting, I think it went about as well as it could have given the circumstances. The whole point of the first week was to meet the kids and start building a relationship with them so they would feel more comfortable sharing stories with us in the future. I think I accomplished this with my group, although not by the means I had anticipated.