YMCA

Beach Lifeguard

May - September 2019 • North Kingstown, RI

What I liked

I loved the environment and the people I worked with. It gives you a sense of great responsibility as well as learning new things.

What I wish was different

I wish I had more interaction with people but the job is amazing.

Advice

This experience allows you to help others while teaching you how to stay alert in many ways.

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Camp Counselor

June - August 2019 • Wooster, OH

What I liked

The interaction with all of the kids was really fun as well as getting to know my co workers, it was all a very interesting and fun experience.

What I wish was different

I wish that the pay was a little more flexible so that I could manage my working there full time without having a part time job.

Advice

Have a lot of energy be vocal and friendly.

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Teaching Assistant (Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School)

June - July 2018 • Novato, CA

What I liked

Through the Y I was able to work with the age group I wanted to as well as get experience teaching English to the children.

What I wish was different

Nothing

Advice

Even if you don’t want to go into teaching, it is extremely helpful

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Camp Counselor

May - August 2019 • Tampa, FL

What I liked

I liked the environment and the people that I worked with. Everyone was around my age and nice and friendly and weren’t just friends inside work, but outside work. I love working with kids so this was a perfect job for me.

What I wish was different

I wish I had been payed more and that I had longer shifts.

Advice

I would say to always be bubbly and happy at all times, even if you have to fake it because kids feed off of your energy. I would also say to give it your all every day and create relationships with these children because they will remember you for the rest of their lives. Teach them lessons and be a role model for them.

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Camp Counselor

June - August 2018 • Lake George, NY

What I liked

I really enjoyed the opportunity to work primarily in the wilderness. I also very much liked the challenges I faced, especially appreciating the growth in leadership skills that comes with the chance to work with kids as a mentor and role model. This is a very fun job, and the relationships you cultivate with the kids are so valuable and worthwhile. This is a very good place to learn how to work with others since you must work closely and communicate quickly and effectively with other staff members. Really fun to be trained in outdoor education and survival.

What I wish was different

Its a very taxing and sometimes thankless job. As a counselor you have to be "on" all of the time, meaning that you have to be attentive, firm, fair, and fun. This can be challenging, even more so if you're working with a tough batch of kids. But there is support from various places, like other staff members and supervisors. Biggest thing is that I wish I had more time off.

Advice

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Pool Lifeguard

May - August 2018 • Fullerton, CA

What I liked

Schedule was super flexible, co-workers were great, boss was very lenient and kind.

What I wish was different

Nothing, it was an almost perfect work environment.

Advice

Work as much as you can because it seems hard and tiring in the moment but definitely worth it in the long run.

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Pool Lifeguard

March - September 2018 • Ashland, OR

What I liked

My co-workers, having an important job.

What I wish was different

Nothing. It was all good!

Advice

Lifeguarding can be kind of boring so make sure you're well caffeinated and have food and water with you.

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Camp Counselor

May - August 2019 • Denver, CO

What I liked

Working with kids and being able to make a tangible impact in their lives was awesome. We also had a consistent schedule which was very convenient.

What I wish was different

I wish I had more experience. It took me awhile to get in the groove of things.

Advice

Enjoy the time with the kids. Seek out relationships with them because it means the world to them.

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mentor

February - April 2018 • Minneapolis, MN

What I liked

It was great being able to work with kids in the literacy matters program.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Camp Unit Director

June - August 2018 • Hilton, NY

What I liked

I enjoyed being able to be outside in the summer and getting t spend my day with kids. I enjoyed working with my co-workers.

What I wish was different

I wish that I got more appercation for what I did at work. being a unit director I was in charge of kids ages 8-10. I had to talk about behavior to the children and their parents.

Advice

you have to love summer and being able to work with kids to love this job. Theres so many things you can do outside and act like a kid with the kids

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Site Director

September 2017 • Toms River, NJ

What I liked

I loveeeee the kids! I love working with kids and families and having fun while doing it. I also love my bosses. I have the best supervisor and they genuinely care about me as an employee.

What I wish was different

I wish I had an opportunity for higher pay.

Advice

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Camp Counselor

June 2017 • Julian, CA

What I liked

I loved working with kids and helping them grow and be comfortable with themselves. Even though I was the person in charge, it often felt like I was being paid to act like a child. The community there is amazing, and it is truly a place where you can be yourself while also making a difference. I would suggest this job to anyone who is willing to put all effort into whatever you are doing, no matter how crazy or weird it is.

What I wish was different

I wish that I was more organized. For how much fun it is, it is still an extremely hard and stressful job. If I was more organized, I could have handled a lot of stressful situations better without such an impact on my mental health.

Advice

Going all out is a necessary part of this job. There is no half-assing allowed if you want to do your job well. In the end, you are there so that the kids can have fun, not you. But always make sure that you don't go so hard that you burn out.

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Director

January 2017 - August 2019 • Madisonville, KY

What I liked

Friendly staff

What I wish was different

Maintenance support

Advice

Great experience

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Senior camp counselor

June - August 2019 • Philadelphia, PA

What I liked

I love the environment and the people that work there. The children taught me a lot about creating fun activities

What I wish was different

I wish camp was longer!

Advice

Don’t let the kids overwhelm you, ask for help when you need it and remember to have fun

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Summer camp

July - August 2018 • Champaign, IL

What I liked

Very fun

What I wish was different

More hours

Advice

Fun hanging with kids

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Camp Counselor

June - August 2019 • Milwaukee, WI

What I liked

I liked being able to work with children everyday, and have other great counselors to work with and help me when I needed it.

What I wish was different

I wish we hadn’t been outside all day in the heat.

Advice

Be patient. Working with children can be challenging at times, and all you can do is just be patient with them.

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Summer Camp Director

October 2016 • San Jose, CA

What I liked

I enjoyed the engagement with the children and families. I enjoyed leading a group of students and having leaders on my team. I enjoyed going on weekly trips - some were my first time to the location such as Gilroy Gardens and Oakland Zoo.

What I wish was different

I wish I took the role differently. I wish I led and set up my program to be successful in different aspects.

Advice

If you are passionate about working with children, this is an opportunity you wont regret!

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Lifeguard

June - August 2018 • Pittsfield, MA

What I liked

All of the employees really care about the impact on the community that the YMCA has and have a lot of programs for the public that support this.

What I wish was different

There is a shortage of lifeguards which means working long hours and lots of double shifts.

Advice

As a lifeguard, as soon as you think there might be a problem it is important to react before it turns into an emergency.

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Camp Counselor

May - August 2019 • Duluth, MN

What I liked

What I wish was different

I wish I would have been able to go on different field trips!

Advice

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Assistant Camp Director for 7-8 year olds

May 2018 - August 2019 • Indianapolis, IN

What I liked

Getting to greet all kids of all ages in the morning even though I was only assigned to one specific age group. I got to get to know a lot of different ages and a lot of different personalities.

What I wish was different

That summer was longer and I was able to see all my kiddos more.

Advice

Look at the positives of every situation. Sometimes things aren't going to go as you hope or even seem like its worth anything, but you are going to miss all the great things that are in front of you.

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