Y Stories: Michelle Dube's "Memories of a Supie"

Way before I became a news anchor, I was a "Supie". It was definitely the most memorable summer job I ever had. Short for Supervisor, Supies are stationed at parks around my hometown of Hamilton, offering free drop-in programs for neighbourhood kids. (Think of it as a free babysitter.) I’d spend all day at my assigned park organizing games, crafts, and activities for those interested in joining. To start, I had about a handful of kids visit me. The weather sometimes kept the little ones away, but what really had the power to impact my turnout was man-made. An opponent so pervasive and powerful I really had to step up my game. What is it, you ask? Technology. You’ve likely succumbed to its magnetic force; spent hours on the couch glued to the TV, or ignored what’s happening around you because you’re focused on your phone. I was up against a universe of children’s shows and movies, addictive video games, kids cut off all contact with the outside world for days on end, and don’t even get me started on the dizzying array of content to keep kids wired to the internet. I’m not saying technology is bad; it just threatened to put an enthusiastic Supie out of business.

Determined not to spend lonely days at the park, I set out to prove that what I had to offer was far more fun than anything on a screen (although I’m not even sure I believed that at the time). Thankfully, there were some initial devoted attendees; their parents made them spend the day outside. I planned what I thought were the best activities, yet ultimately learned to take my cue from them. They loved dodgeball, water balloon fights, and “freezie breaks” (basically activities with a tinge of violence and opportunities to fill themselves with sugar). Of course, I didn’t want to run a treat-filled war zone. There were rules so I could be sure to send everyone home intact. If a game was really popular, I’d plan tournaments and have the kids get their friends to join. We even held our own Olympic Games on the park’s playground; the hottest events included running up the slide as fast as possible and the jungle gym obstacle course. As the summer progressed, more and more kids came to play. The word was getting out and they were going home looking forward to the next day. Over the many weeks, new friendships were made. Not even the rain could keep the kids away! We spent the days running around, laughing, out of breath, the hours just flying by. By the end of August, we had all settled into a wonderful routine at the park. There was a real sense of sadness that it was all coming to an end.

Before I knew it, I was in university. The years passed and I started focusing on my career. Suddenly, I was too old to be a Supie. Yet that experience has always stuck with me. Somehow we don’t remember the days wasted on the couch with a favourite show. The moments in which we get out and seize the day are the ones that secure a place in our memory. When I find myself being lulled by the desire to procrastinate or just lounge around all day, more times than not I’m energized by the notion that it’s not worth it. I’ve come to realize that a healthy lifestyle is a happy lifestyle; I hope all those kids who shared that summer with me have as well.