This will be the third summer I have worked with the YMCA's Summer Day Camp program and I don't think I've ever been more excited. We have an amazing group of counselors and staff this year. Already, from talking to our Program Director Nicole, I've learned about some of the kids that are coming back this year and I'm sooo excited.
I'm probably most excited about the return of Ian. He was with me my entire first summer but was unable to attend camp last year. Simply put, Ian changed my life two summers ago. Ian is now 10 years old and lives life from his wheelchair because of his cerebral palsy. But when I say he lives life, I mean Ian LIVES LIFE!! I didn't know what to expect when I found out the first week of training that I was going to be in charge of Ian as well as 9 other children. Ian also doesn't talk so I didn't know how communication between he and I would work for the summer. Ian surprised me and every other counselor at camp. He played every game the rest of the camp did. He and I played kickball together (I kicked and he sped to all the bases in his wheelchair :] ), we went bowling, played laser tag, made crafts. Ian's favorite character two summers ago was Spiderman and we made masks atleast once or twice a week that he loved to wear around camp. Even more surprising to me than Ian's mobility and activity was the reactions of the other kids at camp. It was amazing to see how they embraced Ian, played with him, joked with him and treated him like any other kid. It touched my heart truly. So, when I found out that Ian was coming back this summer, you can imagine how excited I became.
Training begins tonight at the Y for the upcoming summer. I'm so happy to be coming back and getting the chance to work with Ian and all the other amazing kids at camp. I feel so blessed to have found something so close to my heart that I get the chance to do every day and to get to do it with other dedicated people is so rewarding."The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire."
