Kids Korps Summer Volunteer Camps — Being a camp counselor can be very rewarding
By Weston Lowe, sophomore at San Pasqual High School
For the past two summers I have spent a week being a camp counselor at The Kids Korps Summer Volunteer Camp. We meet at the La Colonia Park in Solana Beach. Each day we go to a different organization around San Diego County to perform service projects. We do all types of hands on projects, from packaging rice at Feeding America to chatting with the elderly at Silverado Senior Center. Plus, every year we get a visit from volunteers with Paws’itive Teams therapy dogs. The kids really love that!
Sometimes being a counselor can be a little bit challenging. This year my campers had a two-year age gap and at the beginning of camp I wasn’t sure whether or not they would get along, but the two eventually hit it off and became great buddies. The previous year I had two of the younger kids attending the camp who were usually bouncing of the walls with energy, but I did my job as best I could and the two told me that they really had a great time at the camp.
Besides learning valuable leadership skills and learning how to mentor and role model to younger kids, I made friends with lots of other students from different high schools around San Diego. Among those were sublings Austin and Alyssa.
Alyssa said, “I had an amazing time working with the campers and going to so many wonderful agencies to help do our part in the world. I made many amazing memories and friends. I am glad I was given the opportunity to work with all the kids and ensure that they were comfortable with each other. With the help of the entire crew, we made a lasting effect on their lives and how they too can do their part to make a difference in the world. The way they looked up to me and played with me, gave me a special feeling that I was doing my part in helping them to have an amazing summer. To be able to wake up and go to the Kids Korps camp each day and know that I am going to make their day was enough for me. Getting service hours just by playing with kids and making a difference in their lives is basically a once in a life time opportunity. I can’t thank you enough for the wonderful time I had and look forward to doing this again next summer.”
“It was an amazing way to have fun and help the environment,” added Austin. “I really like how the camp was focused on volunteering, and we still had so much fun.”
“I found being a Kids Korps camp counselor to be very rewarding. It’s a great way to work with younger children and participate in community service projects. Next year I look forward to returning. Hopefully I’ll have time to work more sessions,” smiled Weston.
Kids Korps would like to extend a huge thank to: SDG&E for the funding to support our “Green Camp”; Macy’s for funding low-income campers; Santa Fe Christian Schools for supporting the camps and providing buses; and the City of Solana Beach for providing the La Colonia Center.
UPCOMING PROJECTS
WHAT: Habitat for Humanity Youth Hostel
WHEN: Sat. Aug. 4 (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
WHERE: San Diego
WHAT: Salvation Army Homeless Outreach
WHEN: Mon. Aug. 6 (6:30-8:30 p.m.)
WHERE: San Diego
WHAT: Cardiff Dog Days of Summer
WHEN: Sat. Aug. 11 (8 a.m. -4 p.m.)
WHERE: Cardiff