The Camp Counselor by McKenna

The Camp Counselor by McKenna - December 2019 Scholarship Essay

The Middle Township Police Department of South Jersey has hosted an annual summer camp for the past three years and I am lucky enough to have been involved. This camp holds around sixty students for one week of the summer to teach about crime, law-enforcement, and leadership. I have been a camp counselor along with five sergeant police officers for each year as the camp grows. The mission of this project is to help create new leaders in our community and bring more involvement in societal issues. The middle school students experience simulations of crime-scenes while working together to solve issues, trust each other on ropes courses, and the simple acts of kindness that occurs when bonds are built with other campers. The camp is open to children of all social backgrounds and is paid for by the police department for families in need.
The most impactful week of camp was my third year. One camper was from a different school than the rest of the kids and was incredibly shy. She felt out of place and it showed. Each day she became more involved in the investigations and was smiling more often. The other campers embraced each other in each activity and this one individual camper became the squad leader. She was recognized for her leadership and was celebrated by her new friends. The children of police camp cared so deeply for each other and it opened my eyes to a whole new world. The bonds that they built made me feel warm and fuzzy which is why I continually volunteer my time there. Another occasion, one child was terrified while we were on the ropes course but continued to go up into the trees. He started having a panic attack when we were halfway through the course. I tried to talk him out of his fears by sharing his strengths and he grew the confidence to fly down the zipline. This kid was proud of himself by the end for facing his fears, making my day. By the end of the week, even the most rowdy kids were chatting with their new friends about how they can impact the world. This camp has made me rethink the importance of a child’s education for their future, not only for book smarts, but to learn life lessons. I want to be a part of this movement, striving to spread the wisdom of my mentors so that they can be spread through generations of educators.

Through my experiences and observations, I have become engulfed by the idea of education. I’m not in it for the money or the career, I’m involved in a lifestyle. Seeing the growth and accomplishments of young children brings me joy that could sustain a lifetime; all from the Middle Township Police Camp.