Pennsylvania teacher takes “at risk” youth outdoors in camp program

Jun 16, 2009

A Pennsylvania teacher is bringing good news to “at risk” kids by showing them how the outdoors can teach them skills to last a lifetime.

John Annoni has two passions in life, teaching and the great outdoors.

For years the Allentown Middle School teacher has been using both to change children’s lives, running the “Camp Compass Academy” which uses hunting and fishing to teach at-risk kids the skills they need to become successful in life.

“The books were cutting it and I wanted to give back something that saved me”, said John Annoni, the founder of “Camp Compass Academy”.

Annoni’s desire to connect kids to the outdoors was born out of his own struggles as a child. His father was a heroin addict, his mother involved in abusive relationships. Annoni often ran to the woods to escape the abuse.

“The woods and water alleviate pressure and allowed me to grow and be nurtured”, Annoni said.

Since its inception 1994 Annoni has touched hundreds of young lives. Six years ago Victoria Nuben was headed for trouble hanging with a bad crowd, Now she’s a volunteer attending community college.

“I was in tough position and without them I wouldn’t be here,” Nuben said. “I would definitely not be going to college.”

Andrew Metri was looking for a father figure when he joined Camp Compass when he was 12. He credits Annoni for putting him on a path to Penn State University where he’ll attend this fall.

“A lot of people say oh hunting and fishing you just learn how to shoot gun”, Metri said. “But you need to have responsibility. It taught us responsibility out there.”

Students are referred to the program and must maintain good grades. While some question hunting and visits to taxidermists as a way to build confidence Annoni says the hard work and dedication it takes to achieve any goal in life is what the program is really about. “It’s not about cracking critters. It’s about watching kids develop over time”, said Annoni. “What do I get out of it? A spiritual high? I just want to leave the world a better place.”