YMCA camp counselors kick off the 2015 summer day camp season

8 June 2015

Have you ever wondered what goes into ensuring a successful summer camp program that serves thousands of children across South Hampton Roads, northeast North Carolina and the Eastern Shore of Virginia?

This past weekend, hundreds of YMCA of South Hampton Roads camp counselors and staff gathered at the campus of Virginia Wesleyan College to train and prepare for an amazing summer day camp experience. Staff trained, learned and gained skills, and also competed with each other in an intense spirit competition that included putting together a skit with only minutes to prepare. It was a fun and strenuous day as the staff worked (and played) to guarantee the best summer for YMCA campers.

Jorge Perez, the VP of Youth Development, Family Enrichment and Social Responsibility at Y-USA, was the keynote speaker and kicked off the ceremonies. He traveled from the Y-USA, headquartered in Chicago, to motivate staff and talk about the Y’s movement in the much larger sense of transforming lives.

“The Y makes sure that children and teens have a space where they can be themselves, learn and make friends, and be surrounded by caring adults,” says Jennifer Cass, YMCA of South Hampton Roads VP of Youth Development. “Summer day camp is a place where we can help them realize their potential to be active, thriving and contributing members of society.”

Camping, like many Y programs, is about learning skills, developing character and making friends.  But few environments are as special as camp, where kids become a community as they learn both how to be more independent and how to contribute to a group as they engage in physical, social and educational activities. Camping teaches self-reliance, a love for nature and the outdoors, and the development of attitudes and practices that build character and leadership—all amidst the fun of games, archery, canoeing, talent shows, and meaningful relationships.

Y counselors are dedicated to making sure camp is an amazing experience for every camper. We can’t wait to see all of the excitement, learning and friendships that this year’s summer day camp sessions bring.

Click here to learn more about summer day camp at the Y.