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For the past two summers, I have worked as a summer camp counselor at the YMCA in the Detroit Metropolitan area. This last summer, I worked at the YMCA Royal Oak location, and I enjoyed serving as a role model for Detroit youth.

It was amazing to witness the kids grow as individuals and to lead meaningful activities. I went on field trips, helped the children cultivate a positive attitude, encouraged them to try new things, and challenged them to think outside the box. Additionally, I was able to learn from the children at the camp as well. Every child is different, including how they act, how they respond, and their all-around personalities. Being able to work with 30 or more kids each day was challenging, but I learned a lot as their mentor.

CiTeara Wade

My experience as a counselor was great, as I felt a sense of community when I went to camp daily. Many of the campers were from the surrounding area and were experiencing many of the same things I did as a child. They were attending the same elementary and middle schools that I went to when I was their age, growing up in the same city as me, and learning the same useful lessons I did. This experience was very personal to me because I saw a version of myself in the children I was a counselor for. I wish that as a child that I had been able to participate in this amazing opportunity of having a place to go to in the summer every day and being able to interact and make friends.

Additionally, for this summer camp being in a city area, it felt like a safe place for the kids to be comfortable and express themselves freely. The opportunity that the summer camp provided to the children was impactful and having an active role in that is a big accomplishment to me. Being a part of the YMCA summer camp was amazing—knowing we are here for a reason and leaving an everlasting impact on the kids.

Working with kids from the age of 9-11 can be difficult because they are in between their teenage years. Therefore, I learned how to have patience and how to maintain a positive mindset daily. Kids pick up on the energy you give off, so if I was frustrated it would affect the whole group. There were many lessons I learned right along with the children.

One of the biggest things I learned while being a summer camp counselor is that sometimes when things don’t work out you have to improvise and keep it moving. For example, sometimes an activity might not go according to plan, and the kids might get into a disagreement. Knowing how to pivot and change the situation is key to a successful day at camp. Being a leader is sometimes hard to do, especially at the age of 20 years old without having grown up with siblings. It was a unique experience for me overall, but I am happy to say that I grew as a person and gained a lot of knowledge regarding myself and how to care for children properly.

Summer camp was memorable and something I won’t forget. From all the fun field trips to the problem-solving, it was a great opportunity to give back to the children and community. It’s great that this camp is here in the Detroit Metropolitan area because kids need a place to go to keep them active and to learn new things, especially during the summer. I am looking forward to next year!

Written by Let’s Detroit Fall 2023 Campus Influencer CiTeara Wade.