Think back to when you were ten or eleven years old. If you are pretty happy with your life today, chances are there was someone or some organization that had a positive influence on you during those years; a teacher, a coach, a neighbour, a relative, a church group ... or a Boys and Girls Club.

Back in the 1950's, Dr. Pat Ross, now the Dean of Student Services at Malaspina University-College, was a 10 year-old kid who might well have done all right on his own, even if he hadn't found Camp Potlatch, a camp run by the Boys Clubs of Vancouver. But then again, he spent a lot of time out on the streets during those years and not all of the potential influences were positive.

"Camp Potlatch changed my life for the better," Pat assured me. "In fact, I often say it saved my life."

Starting at the age of ten, Pat spent two summers as a camper and then, the following winter, he was selected by Ken Hansom as one of eight junior leaders -- They called themselves "Pioneers" -- who spent many of those winter weekends under Ken's tutelage preparing new campsites for the following summer. Of course they were also learning important life and outdoor skills in the process.

The next summer, the eight boys worked under the tutelage of Ken Goodwin, a university student. In short, these two men changed the lives of all eight boys.

For the next fourteen years, until he graduated from university and started teaching, Pat spent his summers at Camp Potlatch experiencing the joy of teaching young campers.

In fact, of the eight "Pioneers", all of whom spent many summers working at the camp, six went on to graduate from university and four became teachers.

"It's quite a success story," Pat smiled, "and let's just say we were very active boys," indicating that, if not for the positive influences of the camp, other less positive influences could have taken hold

Over the years, Pat kept thinking back to the life-changing lessons he and the other seven "Pioneers" learned at Camp Potlatch and last year he decided it was time to recognize the organization that had "saved his life". So he made his first annual donation to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Nanaimo.

Each summer, these donations will send ten "active" kids to Camp Potlatch for a week, kids who are similar to the ten year-old Pat Ross who was lucky enough to get that same chance back in the 50's.

How many of these kids will have a life-changing experience? Shaelene Buffie was a councilor with last year's group of ten and she was amazed at what she saw.

"Everyone from the senior staff to the other campers modeled positive, supportive behavior," she enthused, "and within a couple of days, our kids were doing the same. It was truly amazing."

So, who were the people or organizations in your youth that had a strong, positive influence on you? Now, you can recognize them in a public way by nominating them as Neighbourhood Heroes.

We'll make sure your nomination gets on our web site along with all the others and we'll send you a Neighbourhood Heroes certificate that you can give to them in person to show your appreciation. We'll also acknowledge as many as we can in our Harbour City Star newspaper column.

And when you send in your nomination, you will be eligible to WIN A SPA WEEKEND GETAWAY at Tauca Lea By the Sea in Ucluelet.

Your weekend will include: two nights accommodation for two in a one bedroom suite with fireplace, one three course spa cuisine dinner, one advanced Facial and one Aromatherapy Massage - Some restrictions may apply.