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Youth Leaders of Summer
Camp is one of our many summer traditions in Tualatin. Whether it be Nature is Awesome Week at Voyagers Camp, volunteer projects completed by TEAM Tualatin, or a focus on building conflict resolution skills at H.E.R.O.E.S. Camp, one thing all of these camps have in common is the awesome youth leaders making it all happen. Between our different camps, 31 youth leaders are bringing the magic, fun, adventure, growth, and oh-so-many games to over 700 campers this summer.
This summer, we offered an Explorers Camp for youth entering grades 1 – 3, Voyagers Camp for youth entering grades 4 – 6, and Teen Adventure Camp for youth entering grades 7 – 12. All three camps run for eight weeks between June and August and feature fun themes, field trips, and scholarships for those with a financial need. Check out Sidney Dering’s full interview below to hear more about her experience as a Camp Lead.
The TEAM (Together, Everyone Achieves More) Tualatin Program has been running for 25 years and attracts youth ages 12 – 18 looking to learn more about the community and volunteer. Participants water and mulch plants, plant gardens, paint fire hydrants, wash vehicles, and interact with a variety of City staff. Check out Stella Roth’s full interview below to hear more about her experience as a leader this summer, having volunteered in the program prior to that.
Finally, the H.E.R.O.E.S. (Help Educate Responsible Outstanding Everyday Students) Camp ran four sessions between June and July for students entering grades 6 – 9. This camp is facilitated by our Police Department, and focuses on promoting being respectful, responsible, safe, and kind. Check out Liam Pickering’s full interview below to learn more about his experience.
Sidney Dering
Why are you doing this job?
I love working with kids and making an impact in the community. I still remember my favorite camp counselors growing up, so it has been fun to strive to make that impact on others. I love the leadership aspect of my position now and enjoy being outside for most of the day.
What have you learned while on the job?
Where to even begin? Working with others is a huge key here and staying flexible and always on your toes. Kids can be unpredictable so you learn to expect the unexpected. I hope to be a pediatric PA and have developed so many skills for working with kids here at camp.
What do you want your campers to remember about you?
Instilling confidence in all campers so they believe they can accomplish anything they set their mind to is a huge goal for me. Helping develop those soft skills to handle challenges, conflict, and have the most fun possible is so important. I hope they remember having such a blast at camp with the staff!
What is your favorite activity with campers?
Themed camp weeks are my favorite. From Harry Potter to Olympics, putting together diverse lesson plans with engaging story lines and themes is so much fun. As an athlete, I love to see the kids develop some healthy competition in our games. I get to live out my childhood at camp as a counselor now, which re-ignites the magic and fun!
Stella Roth
Why are you doing this job?
Being a volunteer with TEAM Tualatin really opened my eyes to the work that happens behind the scenes to make Tualatin's parks safe, welcome, and clean. So when I was offered a position on the Parks and Recreation team, I was ecstatic to spend the summer with TEAM as a youth leader.
What have you learned while on the job?
Through this job, I have learned that an effective leader has a balance between doing the work themselves and delegating work to their team. That is why our program is called TEAM - Together Everyone Achieves More.
What do you want your campers to remember about you?
I want the TEAM youth to remember me as a fun camp leader, but also someone they see as a role model. I want to demonstrate a good work ethic for them to implement in their own lives.
What is your favorite activity with campers?
"Dragon's Egg." The goal of the game is to steal the dragon's egg without getting caught in motion by the dragon. I enjoy watching TEAM youth play this game because there is strategy and teamwork involved. Plus, it always helps to break the ice on the first day of camp.
Liam Pickering
Why are you doing this job?
I am doing this job because I was a camper when I was in middle school and always admired and looked up to the counselors. They always made the experience extremely enjoyable and I felt that I could do the same for others.
What have you learned while on the job?
I have truly learned a lot, from being able to relate and help kids, to having a better understanding of how they are feeling and being in a position to help them when they need. They have also taught me a lot in the sense that there is almost always a positive in some fashion, and to enjoy every moment!
What do you want your campers to remember about you?
I'm not concerned as to how the campers remember me, but how much they enjoyed the camp. As a whole, the camp is much more than just me and my peers, but the core memories that they will hopefully remember from this camp.
What is your favorite activity with campers?
I always enjoy helping with the lip sync battles. It's by far the goofiest thing we do all camp and the most fun. Having kids come out of their shell a little bit, but come together as a team to lip sync a song is always fun to watch and put together.
