Camp Experience
The summer camp world is one of my greatest passions. In fact, my senior honors thesis for my bachelor's degree revolved around the camp industry. I have learned so much and gained so many values and soft skills at camp. I still spend a week each summer volunteering at camp, which keeps this passion alive.
Program Director:
Camp Tik-A-Witha
May - July 2023
As Program Director, I helped facilitate staff training for the camp counselors, planned weekly and daily themes for the summer, and organized the activity schedules for each unit of campers every week. I worked closely with the rest of the leadership team at the camp, which consisted of the camp director, business manager, equestrian director, and CIT director.
Due to a short-staffed summer, I also served as the primary photographer, ran the high- and low-ropes activities, led the archery program, and occasionally taught arts and crafts. My position also required putting together and delivering supplies for various activities like outdoor cooking, science experiments, and spa nights. I gained a lot of public speaking experience by leading the camp-wide opening ceremony and all-camp events each week, and by hosting a “radio show” in the dining hall at breakfast every morning.
I was always on the move, and it was a wonderful experience. Every camper knew who I was that summer, and I loved being part of the leadership team.
Ready Staff Intern:
Camp Canadensis
June - August 2022
During this internship, I experienced work as a general counselor and activity specialist at a 7-week sleepaway camp program for boys and girls aged 7-16. I was a counselor for 7/8 yr. old girls for three weeks and worked in activity areas like camping, archery, various sports, arts & crafts, outdoor pursuits, and evening activities for four weeks.
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This was also a great cultural experience, as I got to interact with about 100 international staff from countries like England, Ireland, Australia, and Portugal.
Camp Counselor:
Camp Tik-A-Witha
June - July 2021
This was my first year on staff at my the Girl Scout camp I grew up at. This camp provides week-long sleepaway sessions for girls ages 5-17. For this position, I worked as a counselor for 9 yr. old girls and led many games, songs, and activities, including outdoor cooking, archery, boating, and high ropes.
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During this summer, I also acted as a role model and leader for my younger and less-experienced co-counselors. I helped teach them the specific policies and establish our routines with the campers. This summer tested all the skills I have learned over the years and helped me become the leader I am today.
Volunteer Counselor:
Elizabeth Gwin
Special Session
Camp Tik-A-Witha
July, 2018-2021 and 2023-Present
The Elizabeth Gwin Special Session provides a traditional week-long summer camp experience for children with special needs. I first began volunteering as a camper at age 12 and became a counselor at age 16. For this program, I have served as a Counselor for girls aged 5-21 and as the Archery Instructor.
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It is such a rewarding experience to watch the campers successfully participate in activities like canoeing, horseback riding, high ropes (rockwall), and archery.
Counselor-In-Training:
Camp Tik-A-Witha
June - July, 2018 - 2019
While not a paid position, this experience is invaluable to me because it shaped my desire to work in this industry full-time. This CIT Program consists of two four-week sessions full of leadership training, information on types of campers, experiential learning, and hands-on training on different camp experiences, activities, and games.
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During the second year of the program, I got to live with a unit of campers for a week and observe and learn exactly how to be a good counselor and mentor. I also completed job shadowing in the kitchen, office, and activity areas. The training I received during this program has been and will prove beneficial for years
to come.
