CAMDEN — Camden Village Council hosted a “Kid’s Council” on Thursday, Feb. 21, giving students from West Elkton Intermediate School the opportunity to serve as council “members” and assist council in making decisions.
The students were each assigned a council member and voted in their place, with input from said council member. Students were even allowed to discuss each issue as it was brought up.
According to Councilman Kelly Doran, this gave the students an opportunity to have their voices heard and stimulate discussion.
“I think people — kids, families, adults — everyone thinks this stuff happens automatically, but there needs to be someone showing up to make decisions. I think it is important that they understand there is someone there, when something happens in your community, there was a vote and someone made that decision. I want them to understand how the decisions were made,” Doran said.
“I really, truly, wanted an exchange. I wanted their opinions and I wanted them to know that their opinion does matter. It is possibly they could have changed a mind or two, that is what they need to understand. Their input is important, maybe now and in the future. I think it is a good experience for them to see someone listening to them. We want to hear from these young folks, that’s what they need to know.
“We’re looking forward to doing this again and I hope other boards, towns, communities consider it, because it was fun. We enjoyed it and I think others would too.”
There will be two more sessions of Kid’s Council, one held during the meeting on Thursday, March 7, and the other held on Thursday, March 21.
