Teens train to counsel other youth
BUTLER TWP — At 15 and 13 years old, Carrolyn and Jessica McMurdie are already learning how to keep large groups of children under control and to interact with the youths one-on-one.
The Center Township sisters are participating in the Butler County Family YMCA's Counselor in Training summer program at Alameda Park.
The program's two-week sessions offer leadership experience to teens and preteens who aren't yet old enough to be counselors.
Each session may have as many as six counselors in training: youths between 11 and 16 who have completed an interview and paperwork. Each counselor in training is paired with a mentor and works with a group of about 30 campers.
"When you're going to the pool, it's about having fun for yourself," Carrolyn said. "As a counselor, it's about showing someone else how to have fun."
The program is also an option for people who have grown out of the summer camps and are still looking for something constructive to do in the years before they can get their work permits.
Jon McCreary, 13, of East Butler was a camper since first grade.
"I've been here most of my life," he said.
This year is his first as a counselor in training, and his supervisors say he's making the transition smoothly.
Caitlin Lebetz, counselor trainer, said it can be difficult for some to start taking initiative and do the tasks they are assigned after spending years as a camper.
Jon agrees the switch has its challenges. During his first day he met responsibility in the face when a camper told Jon another was being mean.
He interviewed the two campers, both of whom said the other had pushed first.
"It's a lot of responsibility," Jon said.That's a situation a counselor can help with, Lebetz said.Carrie Dunkowski, camp coordinator, said the counselors in training aren't expected to handle every situation the first or second day. They start small by learning the names of campers.Each day, they are given a new task that increases responsibility.Dunkowski said by the end of the two weeks, the students will be able to complete all the necessary paperwork that documents activities, like when campers eat and put on sunscreen.Jackie Climo-Riesmeyer, 15, of Connoquenessing Township said it was difficult to learn a few of the unusual names."I had to ask one girl her name three times," she said.Some of the campers have special challenges that the counselors in training are learning how to help.About five students with autism from the Watson Institute and five others with special needs participate in the camp.Jon has learned what autism is and the goal to help the students interact with other campers.Inclusion of these students teaches everyone tolerance, Dunkowski said.Jon can also rattle off the other values the camp plans to teach: responsibility, honesty, caring and respect.During the mornings of camp, counselors and counselors in training lead about 120 campers in activities from skits to crafts to teach those values.The final activity is for the counselors in training to plan and execute an activity.Jessica is already thinking and planning what her activity may be — she's thinking something artful.Jackie, who wants to work with children as a career, feels slightly nervous.Catelyn Frings, 13, and Dylan Folk, 13, are also training during this two-week rotation and will help with the activities.If Jon's activity doesn't go as planned, he'll have a chance to try again.He will repeat the camp twice this summer.Cost for each two-week session is $120. For more information or to participate in one of the three more counselor-in-training sessions this summer, visit www.bcfymca.org or call 724-287-0045.
