THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 5, 1994 TAG: 9408040247
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY EILEEN MALEC, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
When Soe Kyung-Hoon was offered a marshmallow for the first time in his 21 years, he put it in his ear thinking it was an ear plug for swimming. ``No,'' said Velina Johnson, ``taste it.''
When Christopher Dailey, 11, got his gauze-wrapped finger stuck to the Velcro tumbling mat, Soe looked at him in disbelief then asked for assistance to rescue the boy.
Such incidents have been common since Soe came from Seoul, South Korea, in an exchange program to be a camp counselor at the Virginia Beach YMCA this summer.
Life in these United States has been interesting for Soe. He has developed quite a passion for Walt Disney movies, enjoys puzzles, and loves to eat, but said he is staying away from chicken places since his father raises more than 100,000 chickens in Korea for fast-food restaurants.
He said Virginia Beach with all its grass is an appropriate place for camp, unlike Korea where there is a lot of pollution. ``I think the best friend of kids is nature,'' said Soe. ``When we are children that is the most important part of our lives.''
While he's learning things about the United States, he's also teaching the youngsters things from his country.
Before the children begin their activities each day at the YMCA, Soe instructs them in a warm-up routine using a Korean recreational dance. Then sometimes they go on to ja-chi-ki, Korean baseball, tai-kwando, or the fine art of origami. But wherever Soe is concerned, cooperation and gentleness are always stressed.
Christopher, who is at camp for the first time this summer, said Soe has been an inspiration to him and has taught him more than just sports. ``He has taught me discipline and how to walk away from a battle,'' he said. ``I also know how to say `welcome' in Korean.''
Paul Vest, district branch executive of YMCA of South Hampton Roads, said he is amazed at Soe's high level of skill in so many things. ``He's very committed to the safety and well-being of the children,'' he said. ``What I see is a real caring and loving relationship.''
Soe has been a volunteer with the Korean YMCA since 1992 and applied to the International Camp Counselor Program to learn more about American camp operations and to share his culture and unique talents with American children.
Vest said he is supportive of and encouraged by the international program's initiative. ``It gives children an opportunity to meet a person from a foreign country and to see how games are played in different countries,'' he said.
Two other participants in the international program working this summer in South Hampton Roads are Mariel Bondino of Argentina, who is working at the Chesapeake YMCA, and Heidi Justus of Australia, who is serving at the Norfolk YMCA.
The program is nine to 11 weeks and allows individual YMCAs to choose the applicant and/or desired country of the applicant. As a prerequisite, all applicants must have a relationship with the YMCA in their country and have experience with children. Before applicants are placed at a host-site, they must participate in an orientation at the National YMCA headquarters in New York City.
For the Virginia Beach YMCA, things just couldn't be better. The club is experiencing the largest camp it has ever had - 250 to 270 children a week. And Soe, along with 150 others, was chosen out of 1,200 counselors nationwide to study diplomacy, environment and government in Washington.
When camp ends this summer, Soe will return to Kyung-Hee University in Korea and finish his physical education degree. ``I want to be a professor in P.E.,'' he said, ``or possibly be a camp director at a YMCA.''
But no matter what Soe does, Vest said the YMCA has benefited from his stay in the United States. ``He has done a wonderful job and fits very nicely into the mission of the YMCA.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CHARLIE MEADS
Christopher Dailey, left, and Soe Kyung-Hoon have become good
friends since Soe came from Seoul, South Korea, in an exchange
program to be a camp counselor at the Virginia Beach YMCA this
summer.
by CNB