I have been working here during the summer for years, and I always come back because love working with kids, the wonderful work enviroment the ymca creates, and the very fair wage they offer.
What I wish was different
I wish I could have gotten more training to get better at my job.
Advice
This job is amazing, and I would recoment it to any young adult who loves working with children.
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Youth Sports Referee
March - August 2018 • Ormond Beach, FL
What I liked
I enjoyed working with kids in an environment that promotes child growth. Since I am passionate about sports it made this experience even better. I felt like I learned a lot as a person by being responsible for many kids. It taught me how to think of creative activities to increase children engagement and learning.
What I wish was different
I wish that there was a more time for skill development. In both practices and games the children can learn many things besides the sport itself. I wish more time was taken by everyone for self-improvement. Instead, the focus of coaches and parents was strictly on winning. I believe it should have been more geared to becoming winners off the field or court.
Advice
Remember why you are doing it. No one becomes a youth sports referee/coach for the money. You do it to improve the lives of children and to share something you are passionate about. It is crucial to recall this in the trying moments when coaches and parents are upset. You must be able to take the brunt and move on because the kids need you to.
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Camp Counselor
May - September 2018 • Monticello, MN
What I liked
Working with children and being in the great outdoors all summer.
What I wish was different
Chosen a summer camp outside of Minnesota.
Advice
You have your whole life to work a desk job or work inside, choose a job where you get to experience something different.
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Youth Leader
May - August 2018 • Valparaíso, Valparaíso Region
What I liked
I loved interacting with the Chilean teenagers and forming relationships with people who had very different backgrounds. I also enjoyed practicing my Spanish abilities and being challenged every day.
What I wish was different
I wish I had taken advantage of the diverse classes offered at the YMCA and gotten more involved earlier in the experience.
Advice
I would tell future interns to go with no expectations and an open mind, and to get fully involved in the YMCA activities as early as possible.
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Summer Camp Leader
May - August 2018 • San Jose, CA
What I liked
Working with children in an environment that allowed them to be themselves and have fun was extremely rewarding. My fellow leaders and directors were always on top of everything when it came to ensuring the children were safe and having a great time. I really appreciated the structure of the working environment as it was consistent and lead to minimal stress.
What I wish was different
I wish that leaders had a little bit more say over what we do with our campers during the day.
Advice
I feel that this is a great first job for anybody looking to work with kids, because you get the support of other leaders while still maintaining freedom and the ability to working independently. I made wonderful memories with the campers and there were even times where it didn't feel like work. If you're considering a fulfilling summer job Y camp is the way to go.
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YMCA
May - September 2018 • Austin, TX
What I liked
I liked that I was able to work hands on with pre-teens between the ages 11-14. Working with these kids allowed me to be a kid again and gave me the opportunity to go outside of my comfort zone and try new things.
What I wish was different
I wish that I had joined the YMCA sooner since everyone was mainly a returning employee but they all made me feel very welcomed and apart of the YMCA family.
Advice
Don't be afraid to be a kid again!It will let you enjoy your time at the YMCA much more and you will find yourself waking up every morning wanting to go work with your campers and enjoy new activities!
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Camp Counselor
June - August 2018 • Manitowoc, WI
What I liked
I liked the opportunity to work with elementary aged students.
What I wish was different
I wish my supervisors would have been better communicators.
Advice
I dabbled with the elementary aged students a few times, and this is why I knew from the get go that I wanted to work with high school. So my advice would be to be open minded and still give opportunities a chance.
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Summer Camp Counselor
April - August 2018 • Austin, TX
What I liked
Hanging out with kids!
What I wish was different
The leadership / organizational function was poor
Advice
Get to know what works best for tourney specific kids / what they respond to!
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Camp Counselor
July - August 2018 • Glens Falls, NY
What I liked
Working with younger ages makes you feel like a kid again. Watching them grow over the summer was an amazing experience.
What I wish was different
Advice
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Camp Counselor
May - August 2018 • Hamilton Township, NJ
What I liked
Having new experiences and learning more about myself in the process
What I wish was different
The stress level and better communication among employees
Advice
Kids can be very tough to work with but always be kind no matter what
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Camp Counselor
June - July 2018 • Norwell, MA
What I liked
Staff
What I wish was different
Hours
Advice
Follow your passions
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Summer Camp Counselor
June - August 2018 • Clearfield, PA
What I liked
I liked the laid-back atmosphere and contributing the the kids' fun.
What I wish was different
More structure, and scheduled events farther in advance.
Advice
Make sure the kids know the rules from the start, but join in the fun with them.
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Teacher
May - July 2018 • Knoxville, TN
What I liked
Working with the kids.
What I wish was different
Better pay.
Advice
Get a written reference from your supervisor.
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Young Camp Counselor
June - August 2018 • Newark, NJ
What I liked
What I wish was different
Advice
I would share that this experience requires one to have patience and will push one to expand their decision making skills in order to ensure the safety of the children.
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Camp Counselor
June - August 2018 • Fenton, MI
What I liked
I liked that I got experience with youth because that is the field of study I am going into. It was also fun because I got to do fun things like zip lining, kayaking, and mountain biking.
What I wish was different
The pay. It was ridiculous. It was 50 bucks for 11 hours of work.
Advice
Its not for the money, its for the experiences.
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Camp Counselor
July 2017 • New York City, NY
What I liked
I like working with the kids and making them smile every day. also teaching them valuable lessons they can take with them in their life journey.
What I wish was different
Nothing it was a great experience
Advice
it prepares for every day life in the future
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Finance Intern
June - August 2018 • Chicago, IL
What I liked
That teamwork is heavily emphasized, and we all work together on issues that need to be solved.
What I wish was different
For the YMCA to lend me a one year free membership instead of the length I was there.
Advice
Make sure to prioritize sleep and wake up ready to do calculations.
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Camp Counselor
June - August 2018 • New York City, NY
What I liked
Being able to work with and teach children.
What I wish was different
The commute
Advice
The experience opens you up more emotionally as an individual and you can learn how to work with all types of people through working with children.
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Ymca Child Care
June - August 2018 • Ann Arbor, MI
What I liked
I loved working with the kids and gaining experience in child care
What I wish was different
I wish it had been more structured it was somewhat disorganized.
Advice
I would sure that child care is what yo make of it and that kids are great experience and is much fun to hangout with.
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Summer Camp EMT
June - August 2018 • Bay Shore, NY
What I liked
I enjoyed the people I worked with, as well as my employer. I liked that I was able to move up and be promoted within my job title.
