Tobin's Reflection
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Now that camp has officially started, describe one challenge and how you overcame it during the transition to camp duties.
One challenge I had during camp was when campers did not want to participate in activities. I’ve learned that each individual has different needs and wants, and things that they need to help get them to participate. Especially because I’m dealing with juniors, there is a clear lack of conformity, meaning that seeing other kids participate does not necessarily entice them to do the same. A way I overcame this was by being empathetic towards campers and trying my best to understand their needs. Why don’t they want to participate in the freeze tag? Why don’t they want to paint with the whole class? There could be a variety of reasons, and I do my best to accommodate that.
Describe your top 3 camp moments thus far and why they stand out to you.
My first camp moment was day 1, when I got to meet all of the kids. They were super shy; however; it took them just a few minutes to warm up to all of the counsellors. I remember that they were super well behaved and excited to go into our first activity. My second camp moment that stood out was when the brain doctor came in. His presentation was super engaging and the kids paid attention and learned a lot. I too also learned plenty and thought he was a super cool guy. My third camp moment that stood out to me was when one of the campers brought his toy car for the first time. This set the precedent for the rest of the week, and each camper brought their own unique car. It was amazing seeing how excited they got, and how well they played with each other. Each class was almost like a show and tell!
Being a month into camp, how do you see the summer camp experience contributing to your personal and professional growth?
This summer camp experience contributes to my personal and professional growth in many ways. Firstly, I’ve strengthened my patience and empathy, as each kid has their own unique story and needs and it has been my goal to accommodate them. This also has driven my professional growth, and encouraged me to continue working with kids in the future. It is super rewarding to see the kids smile and have fun, also whilst knowing that I am an active and positive role model for all of them. Furthermore, I have also done a lot of collaboration work, whether with my fellow peers or parents to ensure that the camp continues to run smoothly.
Please nominate someone who deserves the employee of the month award and explain why briefly.
Anjali. She has been an incredible site leader.
Share photos of fun times you’ve had while at camp!
