Camp leaders gear up for summer

By Meaghan Bury

Summer camp counsellors are spending this week in training at the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre to prepare for a busy and fun-filled season with campers.

Coordinator Jordan McConnell, 28, is leading the group of 33 teens and young adults in program planning, team building, studying the camp manual and discussing strategies to overcome challenges they might face. They are also concentrating on ways to make camp activities inclusive for all campers.

McConnell spent two years at Loyalist College taking community service work and two years in the Child and Youth program. During this time she coordinated camps for children with disabilities. She also spent a two-year period in Victoria, B.C. running recreational therapy programs. This is her first season as summer coordinator for the city and she says she’s excited about getting the position.

“It’s not the easiest thing to do,” she said.

McConnell calls this summer the biggest year yet because there haven’t been this many camps before.

There are at least 13 camps put on through the Sports and Wellness Centre running each week. Themes range from arts and crafts to underwater activities, to Hunger Games and Fear Factor for the older ones. There are also babysitting and home alone courses running. And a theatre camp is being held at the Pinnacle Playhouse. Most camps take place on site at the Wellness Centre with a few being held at the Hillcrest Community Centre and Backyard Bananza, which is run at the social housing units.

She expects there will be about 200 campers every week. Ages can range from 3-16.

She says more children are getting the opportunity to enjoy the experience this year because some organizations have approved subsidies for summer camp.

McConnell thinks that getting involved in camp is beneficial for kids.

“It gives them the chance to try new things and maybe spark a lifelong interest,”She says camps are also full of good role models who aren’t parent figures, and kids are given the opportunity to connect with others.

McConnell says that the returning camp leaders have good experiences and perspectives to share that help them get ready for the months ahead.

Juliana Alvarez-Molina, 20, says she is excited about the amount of training that they’re getting. She has been a camp counselor for four years and says one of her favourite parts are the day trips that they plan for the kids like shopping in downtown Kingston.

With preparation underway, campers can be ready for what McConnell calls weeks of fun.