Having people (on staff) who can be willing to take chances and adapt is a big part of it.”Ĭamp often involves changing plans to suit circumstances. “Sometimes an activity is just not working and you need to adjust on the fly,” Straker commented. While answers to many questions can be found on the site, Costello says she is also available to answer questions directly via her email - Costello and Straker name many benefits of participating as volunteers, from “learning to be a good role model” to “receiving peer support” to making a difference in the community.įor Straker, running camps for children involves a lot of “problem-solving.” Having volunteers and counselors with creative, positive attitudes, she said, is hugely important. The application forms for the two programs are available through the Parks and Recreation website. Costello admits that the experience may not be for everybody but “most (volunteers) really know what they’re doing and get a lot out of it.” This program involves working with individuals with special needs at camps over the summer and is open to students entering grades 9 through12 in the fall. The Therapeutic Recreation Program has an application deadline of May 3. What the program offers both staff and volunteers, according to Straker, is an opportunity to assess whether a paid position at a future camp would be a good fit for them. It’s the age “when you’re too old for camp and ready to make a difference for other campers,” Costello said, “by giving them the same good experience you had.” The Counselor In Training Program (CIT) is designed for students entering grades 9 through 11 in the fall of 2023. She and Program Coordinator Sarah Straker are currently welcoming applicants for summer volunteer opportunities. For Cheshire students facing a summer with no school, there are opportunities available “to do something meaningful,” as Cheshire Parks and Recreation Director of Therapeutic Programs Barb Costello puts it. The personal benefits of experience in community service for education, personal growth, and future happiness are also well-established. Volunteers - whether old, young or in-between - are a key part of the success of any community.
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