Two nonprofit organizations joined forces to host the 102nd MAD Camp in Cabangan, Zambales, bringing together 27 volunteers and 50 children from coastal communities for a weekend of values formation and environmental education.
The initiative marked the first full co-creation effort between I am MAD (Making A Difference) Volunteers Inc. and Alon and Araw Club (AAC), a group focused on ocean protection and community development. The camp featured a series of sessions on storytelling, team-building, and environmental awareness for children aged 10 to 12 from San Isidro and Sapangbato Elementary School.
“This camp was different because it was not just a partnership; it was a co-designed experience,” said I am MAD co-founder Maco Ravanzo. “We shared our core values, and in return, we learned from AAC’s environmental work.”
AAC project manager Lourie Garcia, also a graduate of I am MAD’s Builders Training Program, led the camp’s planning and coordination. Garcia, who is based in Cabangan, said the experience was both challenging and fulfilling.
Volunteers and children participated in activities such as a beach cleanup and a tour of AAC’s eco-village, which promotes waste segregation and plastic upcycling. AAC has diverted over 25,000 kilograms of plastic through its community-led initiatives, according to its founders.
“Environmental concerns are often not a priority in coastal communities where families struggle with daily needs,” said AAC co-founder Gabi del Rosario. “But when we combine values education with environmental action, we create space for long-term engagement.”
A key moment during the camp was the “MAD Circle,” where children read letters to their parents following sessions on family and reconciliation. Volunteers said the experience reinforced their understanding of the intersecting challenges in coastal areas.
The program was supported by local donors who helped fund meals, transportation, and school supplies. Organizers said the event underscored how individual efforts can scale into broader community impact.
Registration is ongoing for I am MAD’s 2025 outreach programs targeting children in underserved communities. For details, visit bit.ly/MADcamp2025reg or email iammadph@gmail.com.
