Cameron is a counselor in 5-8 for the youngest campers at SEP.
How long have you been with SEP?
I was a camper at SEP for all seven years, and this is my first year working here.
What made you want to work here?
I'm drawn to SEP by the unique environment it creates. SEP is a very special place in which brilliant youth can come together once a year and share not only in their love for learning but in their inner crazy side. Some of my best memories and friends come from SEP. The skits, songs, and dance parties make SEP summer unforgettable.
What's your special topic?
My special topic is called "Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner," and is all about card games. I start out by showing a few video clips, with the intention of elucidating just how brainwashed we are when it comes to gambling in general. Scenes from movies such as 21 and Casino Royale convince us that gambling is exciting and profitable by depicting well-dressed, brilliant people "beating" the casinos to become instant millionaires. After insisting that gambling is not as it seems, I teach the rules of Texas hold 'em and let the kids play until the end of class. On day two, I get into the strategy component. While it may not be possible to win every hand or even come out ahead, an intelligent poker player realizes that poker is not about emotion, luck, or impulses. It's about patterns, predictions, and persuasion. By explaining the probability involved in several common poker scenarios, walking through the steps to maximize one's chances of winning each hand, and practicing smart and effective betting and bluffing strategies, I aim to dispel misconceptions regarding the profitability of gambling and to enhance students' ability to think clearly amidst many vivid distractions.
What's your favorite part of camp and why?
My favorite part of camp is the dance party on Saturday night. I know I'm not alone in this, and the reason my coworkers love the dance is the same reason the campers love the dance: it's a great excuse for a group of poor dancers to get together with great friends and show off our terrible dance moves for hours, laughing the night away.
What's your hall theme?
My hall theme is superheroes. My door features the Marvel emblem with printouts of several superheroes attached. Each of the campers' doors sports the emblem of a different marvel or DC superhero.
What was your favorite memory from being a camper?
My favorite memory as an SEP camper: Borrowing clothes from our sister suite my 8th grade year to dress up in ridiculous outfits in order to perform "Barbie Girl" for the whole camp at the talent show. Crazy skits and performances like that one are what I remember most about SEP and are representative of how effective this camp is not only in educating its campers, but in helping them to become more outgoing and confident as well.
Do you prefer eating at O-Hill or St. Anne's?
St. Anne's, for one simple reason: its food is far better than O-Hill. I may be slightly biased as a UVA student who just spent a year eating at O-Hill and is tired of it, but even in spite of this I think St. Anne's food stands out. Their selection is varied, fresh, healthy and delicious. In addition to all of that, the staff at St. Anne's is incredibly kind and accommodating. In every way, they make the dining experience a great one every single time.
What's something about you that someone might not expect if they didn't know you well?
One of my newest hobbies is salsa dancing. Going into college I had decided to go out of my comfort zone and try as many new things as possible, and Salsa Club is one that stuck. In addition to a couple practices each week, I perform once a semester in a salsa showcase at UVA. I still have a lot to learn and am by no means a great salsa dancer, but it has become a big part of my life in the past year.
When you first started working here, what's something that surprised you?
Coming into camp as a counselor, I totally underestimated two things: how much work the job would entail and just how fond I would grow of my campers. A big thank-you to all the parents out there for doing what you do, because I had no idea taking care of younger kids for a few weeks, let alone 18 years, would be so involved a task! That said, I also see why it's so rewarding. In just one week I have grown so close to my session 1 campers that I'll have a hard time letting them go home come Thursday. They are a great group of kids that make all the work more than worthwhile.
What's a funny story that's happened at camp so far?
The campers tend to take an ardent interest in the (fabricated) counselor dating scene. Earlier this week, I was informed by my 5th grade guys that I am to marry the counselor of our sister suite, Isabel. Shortly thereafter, her campers sent over a batch of love letters, clearly written by them but signed by Isabel. The saga has continued over the past few days, and it's really funny to see the kids get so involved in such fictional romances between pretty much every single one of the counselors.
What do you think is the most difficult part of the job?
A week ago I would have guessed that the most difficult part of this job would be remaining cheery and alert even on the worst of days, but I've since learned that this is no problem at all; the kids make everything too fun for any form of a bad attitude to even be possible. I now say that the hardest part of this job will actually be letting the kids go-- to get so close with these kids in such a short period of time only to send them home at the end of camp will be a tough thing to do.
What do you think about gifted education?
The core of my limited knowledge regarding gifted education comes from my own experience with the "gifted program" at my primary schools. Kids who were deemed to be especially academically advanced were admitted to this program, which was to afford these students extra opportunities and resources to, theoretically, aid them in maximizing their great potential. My experiences, and those of my friends from other schools, point to the fact that some programs have noble intentions but sub-par execution. While it's great to be able to say that a program exists which can challenge and motivate the best and brightest students during their early years, any program with a mission statement but no agenda is not helpful.
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