Welcome Home!

First off, I am a student at Henderson State University studying biology, with plans to attend medical school and become a surgeon. I am 100% sure about the biology and medical school part, but the surgeon part is something that could definately change in the next eight or so years. I finished my first year of college as a pre-med student hoping to get some good experience working in a hospital somewhere in Little Rock for the summer, but when I actually started looking for job opportunities I hit brick walls. It seemed like I was connected and transfered and reconnected and transfered again to office after office at almost every hospital I called. I had already applied for an internship as a scrub tech and gotten my acceptance, but soon found out that it was a full-time position for community service. Now, don't get me wrong I love volunteering and doing community service, but as a dedicated college student who only works 10 hours a week, summer jobs that pay are essential.

Needless to say, I regretfully declined this opportunity and continued my job search. A job search that only led to tears and frustration. Thankfully one of my neighbors, whom I have actually worked for in the past, was on the look out for a job for me. She came over one day point blank saying "Ashleigh, I got you a job!" I was suprised and didn't understand; she handed me a brochure for the camp that her daughter Katie, was planning to attend this summer. She told me to read the counselor description and excitedly said "it's describing you!"

This counselor description said something along the lines of 18 years of age, completed one year of college, experience working with children who have disabilities and as a camp counselor preferred. Camp Aldersgate is a camp for kids with disabilities and disorders who otherwise may not be able to attend camp or have a normal experience. Each week has a designated disability(s) and only those kids come. The staff is trained extensively and prepared for as much as possible; from there we carry out normal weeks at camp adapted to each child's needs. I mentioned before that I had everything that the description asked for and I do. I worked for my neighbors dance studio that had a class specifically for kids with disabilities (and we had quite the variety) as well as working for Girls Scouts at one of their camps. Needless to say I applied, interviewed, got the job (I was soooooo excited), and now I am a member of the wonderful staff that makes Camp Aldersgate possible.

Camp has become my second home, my second family; I hate to see the kids leave each week and can't wait to come back on sunday morning for the next bunch! The sign that was posted above the Commons building at camp on my first day of staff training was "Welcome Home" and I'll admit that when I saw it I didn't understand, but now I do and with only one week of camp left, I'm saddened to think about leaving my new home.

In the next few posts, I'm going to tell you about my wonderful experiences that I gained while I spent this summer at Camp Aldersgate.