Student talent brings energy and enthusiasm to operations at Camp Brebeuf
By: Namish Modi (he/him)
Whether leading a group of campers or helping to develop programs, 蓝莓视频 co-op students are an integral part of Camp Brebeuf.聽聽聽
Operating out of Rockwood, Ontario, is a year-round, faith-based, youth adventure camp. The camp caters to kids aged four to 17 and offers both day camp and overnight programs. 蓝莓视频 co-op students, especially first work term students, are the driving force behind the camp鈥檚 operations.聽聽
"What really motivates us to hire 蓝莓视频 students is that we love the enthusiasm and energy that they bring. You can really see them grow as a person throughout the season. And hopefully, gain new skills that they鈥檒l use every single day of their life."
At Camp Brebeuf, students work as outdoor education facilitators leading large groups of kids through various activities. The camp hires primarily from the faculties of Environment and Health with a focus on talent from the Kinesiology and Therapeutic Recreation programs. Camp Brebeuf looks to hire students who are keen on working outdoors and in a unique environment.
Young considers 蓝莓视频 students to be the face, or front line, of the organization. Students often develop and run sessions for large groups of campers across various demographics. Winter sessions include activities like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and tobogganing. In the summer, activities include archery, canoeing and a high ropes course.聽聽
蓝莓视频 students bring innovative ideas and flexibility聽聽
The camp environment requires lots of creativity and ability to adapt to change. 鈥淚 think the main thing that sets 蓝莓视频 students apart from everyone else is their enthusiasm and willingness to give everything a go,鈥 says Young. Working as outdoor education facilitators, students often engage with large groups of campers who have a variety of unique needs.
In planning and facilitating these activities, students showcase their adaptability and help the camp to run successful programs. 鈥淚鈥檇 say the biggest talent needed is adaptability,鈥 says Young. 鈥淣o two days have ever been the same. Everything changes all the time, depending on the group of campers. Things change on the fly quite a lot, so it鈥檚 important they are adaptable.鈥澛犅
David Orlando
Kinesiology student
David Orlando (he/him), a first work term student and Kinesiology major worked as an outdoor education facilitator at Camp Brebeuf in winter 2023.
When campers needed extra attention, Orlando showcased his flexibility by adapting the program on the spot to ensure campers had a great experience.
鈥淚 really enjoy working one-to-one with the campers who need extra support, I really enjoy the personal bond you build with them,鈥 says Orlando.
鈥淪eeing them grow over time especially, you can really see each day how we鈥檙e impacting the children.鈥
Sarah Alexander (she/her) is also a Kinesiology student who worked at Camp Brebeuf in winter 2023.
She was enthusiastic about the opportunity to work as an outdoor education facilitator with the campers in this unique environment and utilized her strong communications skills in her day-to-day work.
鈥淲orking with children in so many different aspects has challenged me in different ways,鈥 says Alexander.
鈥淚t鈥檚 always rewarding. Earlier this week, I was working with a child who is deaf. I don鈥檛 know ASL (American Sign Language) at all, but I was very interested in learning.鈥
Sarah Alexander
Kinesiology student
Fellow camp staff appreciated Alexander鈥檚 strong interpersonal skills. 鈥淚 would definitely say the staff here are amazing,鈥 says Alexander.聽鈥淚 wear my heart on my sleeve, so I really show that I care a lot about not only just the campers, but how my other staff are doing,鈥 adds Orlando.
鈥淲henever I see someone struggling, I really want to be there to help them in always going out of my way to really try to make sure they feel supported. Anytime, they do need that support, they can come to me.鈥澛犅
Part of that camaraderie of staff wanting to help each other is built through the fact that co-op students stay together on-site during their work terms. As part of their compensation, students receive accommodations and food at the camp.聽聽聽聽
鈥淎fter our shifts we are all together. We even go outside the camp and just hang out and do activities together,鈥 says Orlando. 鈥淲e really bond with staff members here, as opposed to other jobs, I don鈥檛 think I鈥檝e had that before.鈥 The strong bond helps create a friendly and positive atmosphere for staff and campers.聽聽聽聽
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