Camp Spencer Stereotypes

For two years I worked as a camp counselor for the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA). In this time, I have worked day camps, inclusion camps, social program,s and even an overnight camp for children, teens, and adults with special needs. My responsibilities were to plan crafts and activities that were inclusive to the various needs and abilities of the campers. Most of all, being a camp counselor meant creating a safe and fun environment for each

After her time at the habilitation program, she moved to Colorado. Her first job in Colorado was at the Rise School of Denver, which “provides services to children with and without disabilities through an inclusive education model.” During her time at the Rise School, the executive director of Adams Camp reached out to her and provided a job description that immediately captured her interest. She rapidly transitioned into the Adams Camp environment and found her home. Jordan has the opportunity to serve 350 families every year in both Adventure Camp and other therapeutic programs that is offered by Adams Camp. But, it hasn’t all been an easy road for her at Adams Camp. She voiced, “With an aging population, we are tasked with creating age appropriate services for all. The other challenge is finding more empowering opportunities for our population.” Most people with developmental disabilities can live a long and fulfilled life, but their special needs vary by age. At the moment, Adams Camp prioritizes younger clients in order to prepare them properly for their futures. But because Jordan is so dedicated to improving the lives’ of others, she

The most innocent individual has the ability to flip their morality code to fit a role they could be given. Someone suddenly reflecting a role given to them is referred to as the Lucifer Effect. (Myers 2014, p. 461) In the film, Full Metal Jacket, Sergent Hartman played his role as the drill instructor both intensely and aggressively.(Kubrick) Hartman perfectly reflected the stereotype of both verbally and physically abusive drill instructors as he used his role as the instructor to frequently undermine and harass the new cadets.

I volunteered as a counselor at Adventure Camp, a month long summer program that offered developmentally disabled people with opportunities to engage in diverse outdoor activities in the Rocky Mountains. I helped my campers rock climb, fish, hike, run, and more throughout the two week summer trip. Though Adventure Camp prioritizes the clients, it is also for the volunteers. They want to teach volunteers about disability awareness and how people with these disabilities are intelligent. One camper I came across at Adventure camp last summer was drawing one of the most aesthetic images-- a dragon-- proving his aptitude and intelligence for

While being allowed to come into the camp, I learned a great deal about how the homeless live. This particular group was very self sufficient

Those 3-4 days we were there, I had a lot of exposure to older people and it just opened my mind to what was like to interact with seniors who were experiencing mental or physical disabilities, illnesses, etc. The whole experience change my attitude towards the elderly because I realized that their capacities/health start to deteriorate due to illness or aging, and that only a few of them remain in “good shape”. So, I started to be more attentive and careful around them. I also felt sad and intimidated around them due to the conditions they were in and their reactions they had toward the staff, other residents, or us. I will say that not all the residents were mean or anything because some of them were friendly, talkative, and had a good sense of

I have been able to connect with people of all ages which is essential for being a

On the last we were woken up early and berated by the camp leaders for not seeming to accomplish the goal of diversity and acceptance which Anytown dedicates itself to promoting. Even our counselors were. My fellow

That first year of JC’ing I realized what I had missed the previous year. I was able to enjoy the same fun experiences at camp but have more freedom, which came along with the responsibilities. I learned how to be a proper disciple towards my campers I was

When I was first awoken before 8:00 a.m on a Monday morning in July, it is not hard to imagine how unamused I was. My mom had signed me up to volunteer for two weeks at the Munroe Meyer Institute at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Their summer camp for kids with special needs ages three and a half through twenty-one had become my home for the next week. This camp provides an summer camp experience for kids who would not otherwise have one. The campers are divided into groups with staff and volunteers as well. A volunteer at Camp Monroe has a new buddy every day they help their buddy with tasks, offer encouragement, and give simple direction when needed. The activities for the campers include: swimming, cooking, sports, creative

Have you ever seen a student wear a hat in school or a hood in school? Students heads can get cold or they just got a new hat and they want people to see it. I believe that students should have the privilege to wear hats and hoods in school.

Last summer I volunteered to be a camp counselor at a camp in Blowing Rock, North Carolina called Camp Sonshine. This camp is different from others in that they bring children ages 5 to 18 from inner city Memphis, Tennessee to the Appalachian Mountains. This

Everyone has their own set of strengths and weaknesses. Those with disabilities are no different they just have a different set then everyone else. I chose this project topic because in 5th and 6th grade I was part of a program called Peer Pals. Once a week during recess I volunteered in a special needs classroom. This work opened my eyes to the world of special needs and Peer Pals is one of the things I miss about elementary school. I realized that I needed to continue helping the special needs community. No solutions presented themselves and then one day the solution stared me in the face from it’s home in the Reston Community Center Program Guide. “Volunteer at the Adapted Aquatics Class,” I had found a solution to my problem.

“Strive for progress, not perfection” is one of my favorite inspiring quotes because sometimes we get so caught up in an unachievable goal because of how society perceives perfection. Toned abs, strong arms, or overall strength doesn’t come overnight (took me looking in the mirror every morning to figure that one out). Countless times I have fallen into a trap of setting high expectations to achieve a certain look. I finally learned that good things come in time, and working hard is most important in order to see progress. This can be related to the fitness world, education, or life. I’ve learned to balance a health lifestyle, and everything else going on around me (I’d like to think). No one should try and be perfect, we all have different

Should capital punishment be abolished in America or is it a reasonable form of punishment for certain criminals? That’s the question that has been asked for the past 40 years and it is a sensitive topic on the count of people’s lives being at stake. It is a reasonable debate though, because there are many people that think it is morally wrong and should not be practiced, but then there are others that believe in capital punishment and think it should stay in place. Is America going to totally abolish the death penalty?