What about SEP made you want to work here?
I was procrastinating studying for a Organic Chemistry quiz by aimlessly surfing the internet when I stumbled upon the recently uploaded application to be a counselor at SEP. I had such a great time as a camper here during sixth and seventh grade, I immediately downloaded the application and began to fill it out.
What's your special topic?
My special topic is the history of hip-hop music. Along with jazz music, hip-hop is one of the only genres of music which was completely created in the US. Campers learn about the origins of hip-hop and how it evolved into the genre it is today. Campers also write their own rap songs and perform it in front of their peers.
What's your favorite part about camp?
My favorite part of camp is definitely the mental challenge on Saturday morning. As a camper I loved working with my fellow campers to solve a problem and create something. As a counselor it is amazing to see what my campers can construct with only rudimentary materials to solve the problem we give them.
What's your hall theme?
The door decorations for my crew are NFL quarterbacks. Each camper has a different NFL quarterback throwing a pass on their door. My campers are rising sixth graders and we are on the right side of the first floor of Lefevre.
What was your favorite memory from being a camper?
My favorite memory as a camper was the last night party. I remember bringing all of our mattresses out into the suite and creating our own nation. On our own initiative, we drafted a constitution, elected officials, and paid taxes (of candy, which we all then ate together).
O-Hill or St. Anne's?
Definitely St. Anne's. The head chef at St. Anne's is amazing and manages to make the food taste homemade even while cooking for hundreds of campers. He also uses mostly local produce and the fruits and vegetables taste delicious.
What's something about you that someone might not expect if they didn't know you will?
Ever since I was a little kid I have sculpted bonsai trees with my dad. Our backyard is essentially a bonsai garden, which features bonsai trees up to four hundred years old. When I was in high school I traveled with my father to Kyoto, Japan where I spent days in the bonsai gardens.
When you first started working here, what's something that surprised you?
When I first started working here I was astounded by how bright all the kids are. I knew the campers were going to be intelligent but I didn't realize the extent until after one of my campers explained how he created an iPhone app for fun, which required over 25 pages of code.
Without using any camper names, tell us a funny story that happened this summer.
While I was teaching my special topic during first session I gave the campers the task of writing their own rap song. After they had finished writing I gave them the opportunity to share their rap song with the class. I also gave them the incentive that if everyone shared, I would buy each camper a candy bar for the party on the last night. I felt quite confident that I wouldn't be buying candy bars because there were four or five campers that seemed very shy. However, one after another, with the support of their classmates, each camper got up and rapped. They proved me wrong and I held my end of the bargain and each camper received a Three Musketeers bar on the last night.
What do you think will be the most difficult part of the job?
I think one of the hardest parts of being a counselor is fitting in all the fun activities that I remembered as a camper. The schedule for each day is so packed with great things that really the only free time I have with my crew of guys is the two hours at the end of the day. I try to use every minute I have during this time to play all the games and do all the fun things I remember doing as a camper but there is so much to do and so little time.
What do you know about gifted education?
I transferred from a private Catholic school to the local public elementary school with a gifted and talented program for third grade. I think there is definitely merit to the program. I believe one of the most significant parts of education is who your peers are when you are learning. If one is around a group of people who are genuinely interested in learning, it will have a hugely positive effect on their education. That is part of the reason I think SEP is so great. As a camper, being able to be around so many other campers who have the passion for learning is such a valuable experience for these children.
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