Tigers Together Summer Series: Princeton Alumni & Student-Athletes Community Engagement Inspires All to Dream Big
September 22, 2023 | Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Every Friday for the month of September, Princeton Athletics will highlight summer community engagement and education events. In the second installment, Camp Compass explores Princeton Athletics.
Camp Compass serves as an inner-city youth program in Philadelphia. Bob Davis, Founder of Camp Compass, developed the program behind the inspiration of his mother Yvonne Davis, who passed away June 27th, 2023. Yvonne was a transformational educator in Philadelphia.
"My mother played an extensive role in Camp Compass," he says. "She dedicated her life to being an impactful educator working towards educational equality for underprivileged communities in the city of Philadelphia, so I thought it was only right that I provide meaningful opportunities for the inner-city youth in Philadelphia to continue my mother's legacy."
Camp Compass is opening doors for inner-city youth to explore inclusive educational opportunities that provide enhanced leadership development through community and extended community engagement. Camp Compass allows students to participate in a multitude of experiential field trips and workshops to develop leadership and critical thinking skills.
On Friday, July 14th, Camp Campus traveled up Route 1 to Princeton University to meet and build relationships with Princeton Football student-athletes Jalen Travis and Jaden Wetterburn, as well as Princeton University Men's basketball alum Brian Taylor, Class of 84. Before traveling to Princeton University, Camp Compass took educational exploration to Philadelphia City Hall, the Philadelphia Board of Education, Exquisite Techniques Dance School, and the "As I Plant This Seed" Mentor Program.
In preparation for Camp Compass's visit to Princeton University, Bob spoke with me about his perspective on creating educational spaces to allow his students the opportunity to examine their ability to dream big. Most of the students had never been outside of their neighborhoods in Philadelphia. As the students began to take their seats in Chandler Lounge, Jaylen and Jaden entered the room, and all eyes turned to them with astoundment and beaming smiles. The two student-athletes sat down and began to talk about their journey to Princeton and how their experiences have shaped their leadership skills. Jaden stated "I enjoyed connecting with Camp Compass this summer. It feels good to have the opportunity to inspire young people to keep on relentlessly chasing their dreams and to be leaders in every aspect of their journey.
At the end of the discussion, Camp Compass toured Jadwin Gymnasium and finished up with a tour of Power Fields at Princeton Stadium. After the visit, Bob stated, "This experience inspired my students. They learned from exceptional leaders who look like us. Jalen Travis has a strong passion for civic engagement."
"The opportunity to speak with Camp Compass about what it means to be a leader as well as using sports to accomplish my passion off the field was extremely fulfilling," said Travis. "As someone who benefited from many positive role models growing up, I know how transformational it is to learn from people who are living out your dream. So, to be able to share even the smallest nodes of advice and help empower their belief that they belong in a place like Princeton University felt impactful. I have extreme gratitude to Princeton University for my development as a leader as well as for providing me the privilege to impact future generations."
Bob and Brian developed a strong relationship instantly. After Camp Compass' visit, Bob and Brian stayed connected. One of Bob's students from Camp Compass attended SOAL U (Summer of a Life Time program), which is a week-long dual program to inspire inner-city students to see that such academically elite institutions are within their reach and to ignite a passion for learning in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) while students reside at Princeton Theological Seminar. Brian serves as the Founder and CEO of SOAL U. In a short period, Brian's friendship with Bob turned into a mentorship. Bob served as a volunteer for SOAL U. Brian and Bob plan to collaborate on future initiatives in expanding educational contingencies for inner-city youth to normalize dreaming big in all aspects of their journey.
