Staff Web - Alumni Reflections

I cannot put into words what my past summer at Starfish
meant to me. It was a reality check, it was the hardest job
I've ever had, but it was the most amazing experience I've
ever had. These kids are amazing, and all too often,
don't realize it. It's the greatest feeling in the world
to be able to show them that they are awesome, and
the reasons why. Working at Starfish, I truly realized this
is what I want to do for the rest of my life, and more
importantly, Starfish made me realize that I can do it. The
staff is extremely supportive of everyone and training is just
the beginning of the learning experience that is Camp
Starfish. Most of my learning came from the kids themselves,
each taught me simple things about life, because it's what
they value and it's what we should too. My experience at
Starfish, while hard to put into words, can be summed up with
a simple smile.

What Camp Starfish does for campers, it does for counselors
as well: entrusts responsibility, sets up success,
boosts self-esteem, empowers confidence, validates
emotions, fosters support, creates bonds, illustrates
teamwork, sparks energy, accepts all, instills hope,
makes memories, and introduces a new beginning.
My favorite song to sing at camp was "Lean on Me," because
there is no title nor song that describes Camp Starfish as
concisely and accurately as it does. A house of cards is built,
held together, and strengthened by the act of each card
mutually leaning on another card. So is the case at Camp
Starfish. It is built, held together, and strengthened by the
act of administrators, counselors, and campers leaning,
and learning to lean on one another.

Life Change is one way of describing the experience
that I had last summer, but perhaps more accurate is
perspective changing. I find myself approaching
everything with a higher degree of tolerance, yet I
have never felt more inclined to try to make an
impact when I think change is needed. Outside of my
family, I have never been a part of a group
that functioned as much as a single unit as camp last
summer. I have never cared as much or worked
as hard in any other job that I have ever had,
nor have I ever gained more compensation for
my effort.

Starfish is a source of hope for those children who have given-up on their potential. Starfish
gives campers an opportunity to feel special, unique, and worthwhile. It allows children to
build relationships with their peers and adults... I hope that when the children return to their
daily routines of home, the memory of their time at camp will serve as a motivational
force and beating drum of self-confidence.

My hero wears Velcro sneakers. He's 4 ft 8, laughs at
my jokes even when they're not funny, and when he
smiles my soul shines. He is my modern day superman.
His personality can destroy the brick walls of stereotypes,
his hugs have the ability to bring me back to life when I
have a horrible day, and his greatest superpower is that
when I am with him, I automatically become a better
person. My hero is one of my campers at Starfish.
At Starfish, I grow, I change, and I believe in myself,
all while teaching children to do the same. I bring out
the hero in children who may have low self-esteem. I
bring out the star athlete in the children who are often
picked last in gym class. I bring out the achiever in
children who struggle academically. Some people say,
'Melissa, those children are so lucky to have you to help
them.' I disagree. Through each child I help, I become
a hero, I become an achiever, but most importantly
I become more grateful. Grateful that I have made
a difference in their lives, but more so for the
difference they have made in my life.