Healthy Living
Why I’m working with YMCA Day Camp again this summer
19 May 2021 - by YMCA of Greater Toronto
By Robyn Smith
My decision to return to YMCA Summer Day Camp was easy! I first joined the YMCA camp team to learn more about what it is like to work with kids. I have always had a passion for child care.
The YMCA team made me feel so welcome and I found them to be inclusive, positive, and diverse. It was an easy decision for me to work here because I wanted to work somewhere that aligned with my values and represented different ethnic backgrounds, religions, and communities.
Care and compassion
The Day Camp team is amazing and supported me by sharing feedback as I was learning about my new job. I remember a few days at camp that left me feeling particularly drained and tired. I just was not myself and one of the camp directors took time to check on how I was doing. It really meant a lot to me because it made me feel that I wasn’t alone and that someone really cares. Little things like these help me to remember why I love the YMCA.
A shift in behaviour
One of my favorite memories is when I was working as a Variety Camp counsellor and I was struggling to meet one young camper's needs all week. It was clear that they were not having the best time and it was a struggle for me to get them to listen or participate with the other campers in my group. When the week was almost over, I started seeing a shift in my camper. I believe this shift happened because the camper began to feel comfortable and a part of the camper group.
They were then able to open up and we started communicating well. He received a value bead at the end of the week for participation and respect. It was beautiful to see such a turn-around and witness what personal growth kids are capable of!
Lessons learned
I have learned so much about leadership and teamwork. There are so many amazing people at the Y that I am able to look up to and from whom I continue to learn. My experience at the Y has given me awesome tools to use when working with children that I would not have learned if I did not work there.
I have learned about patience, communication, team-building, quick thinking, understanding, and responsibility. My experience working with the Y is helping me reach my goal of eventually working as an elementary school teacher in 10 years. I am currently enrolled in school for Child and Youth Studies.
Practising skills
I believe I will continue to learn how to be a better leader, teammate, and listener. I am so grateful that I have been able to form meaningful relationships with the people I work with at the Y, parents and, of course, the children. I want to continue to be a support system and someone that people can depend on.
It was so important for me to work at the Y during the pandemic because it helped me learn what people are going through on a daily basis. It motivated me to learn about what children need, how to lend a helping hand, and how to show compassion when working with others!
My decision to return to YMCA Summer Day Camp was easy! I first joined the YMCA camp team to learn more about what it is like to work with kids. I have always had a passion for child care.
The YMCA team made me feel so welcome and I found them to be inclusive, positive, and diverse. It was an easy decision for me to work here because I wanted to work somewhere that aligned with my values and represented different ethnic backgrounds, religions, and communities.
Care and compassion
The Day Camp team is amazing and supported me by sharing feedback as I was learning about my new job. I remember a few days at camp that left me feeling particularly drained and tired. I just was not myself and one of the camp directors took time to check on how I was doing. It really meant a lot to me because it made me feel that I wasn’t alone and that someone really cares. Little things like these help me to remember why I love the YMCA.
A shift in behaviour
One of my favorite memories is when I was working as a Variety Camp counsellor and I was struggling to meet one young camper's needs all week. It was clear that they were not having the best time and it was a struggle for me to get them to listen or participate with the other campers in my group. When the week was almost over, I started seeing a shift in my camper. I believe this shift happened because the camper began to feel comfortable and a part of the camper group.
They were then able to open up and we started communicating well. He received a value bead at the end of the week for participation and respect. It was beautiful to see such a turn-around and witness what personal growth kids are capable of!
Lessons learned
I have learned so much about leadership and teamwork. There are so many amazing people at the Y that I am able to look up to and from whom I continue to learn. My experience at the Y has given me awesome tools to use when working with children that I would not have learned if I did not work there.
I have learned about patience, communication, team-building, quick thinking, understanding, and responsibility. My experience working with the Y is helping me reach my goal of eventually working as an elementary school teacher in 10 years. I am currently enrolled in school for Child and Youth Studies.
Practising skills
I believe I will continue to learn how to be a better leader, teammate, and listener. I am so grateful that I have been able to form meaningful relationships with the people I work with at the Y, parents and, of course, the children. I want to continue to be a support system and someone that people can depend on.
It was so important for me to work at the Y during the pandemic because it helped me learn what people are going through on a daily basis. It motivated me to learn about what children need, how to lend a helping hand, and how to show compassion when working with others!
