Macy's Reflection
Keywords:
Now that camp has officially started, describe one challenge and how you overcame it during the transition to camp duties.
Vicky and I were assigned to be the counsellors at our Milliken Mills Library (MML) camp, Math Elites + U for the first week of camp (July 8-12). During the first week of July (and even in June), Vicky planned the curriculum and I helped review it. While planning the curriculum, we also included many backup games and activities for the kids to complete (in case they finished lessons or worksheets early). A challenge for us was the uncertainty of what equipment would be provided to us. For example, we didn’t know if the library’s program room (where the camp is) would have a projector. Vicky and I did as much as we could to prepare for scenarios where we wouldn’t have a projector. We thought of solutions such as playing lessons directly from our laptops (the class size was minimal), or simply using the whiteboard (which we were pretty sure we would have). Fortunately, they were equipped with a lot of technology like projectors and movable TV screens.
Another challenge arose as MML camp started: the varying ages and academic levels of our campers. Since the math camp was for grades 1-4, the academic level gap was massive. One camper would hardly know addition/subtraction while another would be telling me about a^2 + b^2 = c^2. Luckily, while preparing for camp and creating the curriculum, Vicky and I decided to include extra practice in the workbooks. I added four pages of extra addition/subtraction pages and made a simplified sudoku (only using numbers 1 to 4) for kids who are more advanced and are likely to finish early. I even challenged one camper to alternate between doing addition and subtraction questions to reinforce his knowledge and to keep him occupied for a little longer.
Describe your top 3 camp moments thus far and why they stand out to you.
Adding onto my response from above, I am proud of the sudoku and addition/subtraction pages that I created for MML camp. The campers enjoyed completing them and I was proud to tell their parents about their joyful completions, too. I loved that I provided the challenge to that one particular camper (asking him to alternate between the two operations +/-) because it reinforces a great learning strategy and hopefully helps him develop life-long learning skills.
This is not a specific example but I am also proud of my camp counsellors and volunteers. I can tell from the way they respond to the camper’s behaviours that they are learning from me.
Lastly, I am proud of the fact that I was able to transition well from Milliken Mills Library camp to Stonebridge camp because I was moved earlier than expected. Compared to MML camp, Stonebridge offers catering, before/after care, and has classes much larger than the size at MML. On my first day, I led my new class with no other counsellors because they were away so this made the transition even bigger. It was a rainy day so one gym period that should have been outside took place inside our classroom instead… which you can expect kids to be unhappy about. Thankfully, I was able to keep the campers entertained despite the huge and sudden transition overall.
Being a month into camp, how do you see the summer camp experience contributing to your personal and professional growth?
Summer camp has informed me about whether I should pursue a career in education. I love working with kids and teaching them important life skills. Some days feel really rewarding. However, I know that other days can feel tough. I have grown even more respect for teachers in the past three weeks. It’s amazing to think that one teacher can manage a class that we have three counsellors (and two volunteers) managing. For the remaining weeks of camp I hope to gain experience working with other age groups and to gain more strength to deal with difficult situations. My fellow counsellors and volunteers have been very supportive and they have been my strength, so I hope to return that. 🙂
Please nominate someone who deserves the employee of the month award and explain why briefly.
There are many counsellors who have been outstanding. I believe Christina deserves it the most. In June, she was acknowledged as the Employee of the Month for her success in leading a major project. This month, Christina has been an amazing site leader at Stonebridge. She is always ready to help and give advice.
Share photos of fun times you’ve had while at camp!
