Healthy Communities • YMCA Camps and Outdoor Education • YMCA Volunteers
Student volunteers share their experience at Cedar Glen day camps
18 August 2016 - by Gord Dunlop
This summer, seven students from Philip Pocock Catholic Secondary School volunteered at YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre as part of their school’s co-op program. While many teens spend the summer sleeping in and hanging out with their friends Agnes, Martha, Katrina, Mary, Natalie, Katrina, and Egzona spent the first four weeks of their summer vacation riding the bus to and from camp each day.
“My experience at YMCA Cedar Glen is one that I will carry with me for the rest of my life,” says Katrina. “The skills and opportunities gained throughout my term will surely prove to be invaluable in the real world. I don’t regret one moment of my time spent here.”
Finding a co-op placement can be a daunting task, but for Katrina and her fellow co-op students, choosing Cedar Glen was a no-brainer. After visiting Cedar Glen last fall on a school trip, they were excited for the opportunity to return and complete their placement hours.
For some of the students, it was also the first time that they experienced summer camp. Over the course of the four weeks, they helped run variety of camp programs, including Natural Arts & Crafts, Creative Arts, Dance and Drama, Environmental Science, Outdoor Adventure, and Cooking. Their energy and enthusiasm played a vital role in shaping each camper’s experience. Combined, these students gave over 1,000 hours of their time.
“Cedar Glen is a magical place that provides campers and volunteers with new outdoor adventures every day,” says Natalie. “I will never forget the memories I made at Cedar Glen. After all, nothing beats the simple pleasure of being surrounded by nature!”
“My experience at YMCA Cedar Glen is one that I will carry with me for the rest of my life,” says Katrina. “The skills and opportunities gained throughout my term will surely prove to be invaluable in the real world. I don’t regret one moment of my time spent here.”Finding a co-op placement can be a daunting task, but for Katrina and her fellow co-op students, choosing Cedar Glen was a no-brainer. After visiting Cedar Glen last fall on a school trip, they were excited for the opportunity to return and complete their placement hours.
For some of the students, it was also the first time that they experienced summer camp. Over the course of the four weeks, they helped run variety of camp programs, including Natural Arts & Crafts, Creative Arts, Dance and Drama, Environmental Science, Outdoor Adventure, and Cooking. Their energy and enthusiasm played a vital role in shaping each camper’s experience. Combined, these students gave over 1,000 hours of their time.
“Cedar Glen is a magical place that provides campers and volunteers with new outdoor adventures every day,” says Natalie. “I will never forget the memories I made at Cedar Glen. After all, nothing beats the simple pleasure of being surrounded by nature!”
