Christina's Reflection
Keywords:
Now that camp has officially started, describe one challenge and how you overcame it during the transition to camp duties.
One of the biggest challenges was managing 8 classrooms and maintaining organization (especially during the first week). With over 170 campers and 50 staff members to lead, I had to work diligently with Dorothy (my co-site leader) to ensure that the camp functions cohesively and efficiently. Our collaboration worked well and allowed us to develop distinct schedules for each class, delivering clear instructions for counsellors to follow. With comprehensive directions, counsellors and volunteers began adjusting to our routine, quickly adapting to any necessary changes. We stayed on top of everything that occurred, including classroom activities, scheduled curriculum, special workshops, and more. Many factors contributed to our success, such as our staff’s ability to adapt and the vast amount of resources provided, but it still required consistent reminders and updates from Dorothy or myself.
Describe your top 3 camp moments thus far and why they stand out to you.
1. Making loads of new friends! Since camp started, I have met a wide range of new people. From campers to volunteers to counsellors, I have created unforgettable bonds and memories over the past month. These new friendships have greatly enhanced my camp experience and they are what I look forward to the most each day!
2. Delivering the LEGO Robotics workshop to MDHS. I am always happy to share my passion for LEGO Robotics. Bringing it to the U+ camp at Markham District High School was an exciting and fun experience. I was eager to share my knowledge and resources with the campers, as well as to explore the different camp location. The campers all enjoyed the workshop and activities, and I received good responses from the counsellors!
3. Receiving good feedback from parents and families. Families have displayed satisfactory reactions to our camp at Stonebridge Public School. We received positive feedback regarding our organization and camp experience; some parents have even brought us treats to express their appreciation! These memorable moments are very touching and rewarding to all our hardworking counsellors and volunteers.
Being a month into camp, how do you see the summer camp experience contributing to your personal and professional growth?
My summer camp experience as a site leader has granted me many amazing opportunities to work outside of my comfort zone. As the person that all the counsellors and volunteers turn to for help, I have been required to problem-solve many times in the past few weeks. On top of that, I have honed my interpersonal skills and my ability to work under pressure. I have learned how to interact effectively with kids of all ages, and have even sparked a new career interest in pediatrics! Aside from my professional growth, I have unexpectedly began to practice my Chinese communication skills. I have always wanted to improve my Chinese speaking and pronunciation in order to communicate with my grandparents and family members in China. Many of our campers come from Chinese families, thus allowing me to use my Chinese speaking skills when engaging with their incoming guardians. I used to feel very uncomfortable speaking Chinese in public as I knew my pronunciation was incorrect, but I have grown to be confident and approach conversations with a learning mindset.
Please nominate someone who deserves the employee of the month award and explain why briefly.
I nominate Daphne as the employee of the month! Every day, I see Daphne work hard and produce amazing results. One of her tasks involves creating a weekly recap, and parents love to stick around and watch her creation. She lights up the room with her energy and is well-known by all the campers (some like to call her “picture teacher”)!
Share photos of fun times you’ve had while at camp!
