ESF Team Members Share Their Stories!
Alayna Roupe
Gilman School
I love working for ESF. Everyone is so friendly and the atmosphere is great! I have learned so much in just one summer working for ESF and have countless memories to take with me.
When I was told I would be working with Navajo, a five-year old age group, I'll admit that I was terrified. But just one day on the job and I already could not wait to come back to "work" the next day. I loved having fun with the Navajo campers and my favorite memories involve the Navajos cheering for me during Spirit Stick challenges. ESF and my Navajos taught me that I was a much better air-guitarist than I would have ever imagined! I thank ESF for enabling me to create bonds with my campers and priceless memories that I will remember for a lifetime.
Joe Palumbo
Lawrenceville School
The summer of 2008 was my very first summer at ESF. After the many trainings, orientations, dry runs, and family days, I felt that I understood my role as a counselor. That being said, however, I was still completely nervous about my first day. My nervousness subsided when I heard our director scream “GOOD MORNING SENIOR CAMP!” The kids were genuinely excited about being there, and at that moment I knew that while technically I was working, I was also in store for a great summer.
I am currently pursuing my Masters Degree in School Counseling, and this past summer at ESF gave me daily exposure to children of all ages. I learned about what was really important to them: friends, school, teachers, The Jonas Brothers, etc. The time I spent at the camp this summer, from a professional development side, was invaluable.
In addition to enhancing my role as a future School Counselor, ESF allowed me to play sports, finger paint, dance, sing, laugh, and enjoy my summer. I have had many summer jobs and those activities would definitely not be included in describing them all!
I judged a great day at ESF by conducting a mental check list at the end of each day as I got in my car: Drenched in sweat—check. Grass stains on my shorts and the back of my shirt—check. Art work from one of my campers—check. Great big smile--check.
Natalie Sears
Gilman School
Summer 2008 was my first summer working for ESF. I went into the summer not knowing exactly what to expect, but within the first few minutes of the first day of camp I knew how awesome the summer would be.
Not only did I get this feeling from the peers I worked with, but from my own campers. We were the Iroquois tribe, we yelled proudly our name at every morning gathering! That, however, was not the only time you could hear us. You could hear us coming and going from every great activity that camp had to offer! I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to meet such spirited and friendly people at camp! It was the best summer I've ever had and I can't wait to do it again!
Heather Howiszak
Montgomery School
There was one 6th grade boy who had a very negative view on camp and life in general. He said he hated everything at camp, had no friends, and would not cooperate in Quest and Sports-my activities. He especially hated sports. I would try hard to get him involved and he just would not do it. I started a thing called "positive energy." I made buttons for kids who brought happiness and positive thoughts to camp each day (Only about 10 kids received buttons.). I told them that if they hate Quest or Sports, they still need to pretend to have a good time. I told this negative boy that I was going to make him the most positive, happy kid at camp. As I told him this, he had a little smile. I asked, “Is that a smile?!?” and he went right back to frowning. I was in this kid's face all day everyday. I jumped around and would tell him happy things ALL the time. After lunch I would say “Isn't that the best lunch you ever had?!” Eventually he gave in and began loving camp. He would go around giving me high-fives, get other kids to participate when they didn't want to, and try to be happy about everything. At the end of camp when he was asked his favorite thing about camp, he said "Positive energy." Not only did he leave camp with a positive energy button, he made friends and memories this summer. It made my summer!
Adam MacKnight
The Haverford School
I had an awesome time working with the Mountaineers (4-5th grade) in the summer of 2008. It was an incredibly positive experience; the kids were just as excited to learn as they were to have fun. They were an especially good bunch. They really took the lessons we taught them about mutual respect and cooperation to heart. They always made the effort to help everyone feel like a part of the team.
One camper I'll always remember was a boy in our group with Marfan's syndrome, a rare degenerative disease of the joints that makes heavy physical activities especially risky. At first, he didn't want to interact with others and preferred to be by himself. However, the other kids always tried to include him rather than poke fun at his limitations.
One moment that sticks out in my mind is when we were playing kickball one day down at the sports field. The heat was getting to everybody, and our camper with Marfan's syndrome had decided he'd had enough. He left the field, saying he wanted to sit out the rest of the game. Immediately, the other campers started begging him to get back in the game: "C'mon, dude; we need you!" It was touching to see how much they wanted to reach out and be his friend.
Working at ESF has been one of the best experiences in my life. I was nervous as a first year counselor and didn't know what to expect; however, I quickly managed to learn all the ins and outs of group dynamics and balance my professional obligations as well. It was also an extremely rewarding experience; I was never as thrilled to get out of bed and go to work as I was this past summer. I hope that all my future experiences with ESF go as well as my first went.
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