KftB Summer Camp Grows Youth Leaders
“When young people develop basic leadership and collaborative learning skills, they can be a formidable force for change.” — Peter M. Senge, Founder of Society for Organizational Learning
KIDS for the BAY (KftB) has helped develop new generations of leaders since our founding in 1992. Our Summer Camp offers opportunities for middle and high school-age youth in the San Francisco Bay Area to volunteer as Youth Leaders, develop teaching skills and gain experience in the field of outdoor environmental education. Middle school Camp Rangers (CRs) support our Adventurers (ages 5-7), while high-school Leaders-in-Training (LITs) serve as role-models and leaders for our Explorers (ages 8 -11).
Many of our youth leaders were once KIDS for the BAY campers themselves! “I have been a KIDS for the BAY camper for eight years. I really liked this camp when I was younger, so I was inspired to attend this year, this time as a youth leader!” shared Camp Ranger Bija Basu-Shein. “I was a camper for one year when I was nine. I have been a Youth Leader for five years,” shared Leader-In-Training Gitanjali Basu-Shein.
Youth Leader Sammy Smith was a camper for nine years and always loved exploring in nature and learning about the San Francisco Bay watershed. Sammy loved KftB Summer Camp so much that he sought out ways to stay involved after he aged out. “I started my KftB experience when I was a little five year old dude, just going into kindergarten. I had so much fun that week and loved being outside in nature that I just had to keep coming back every year! It was the highlight of my summer for many years!” Sammy shared. Sammy first volunteered as a Camp Ranger and took on responsibilities eagerly, excited to share his passions and be a role model for our campers. This year marked Sammy’s third year as a youth leader, and his first as a Leader-in-Training. Sammy’s enthusiasm, along with his abundant knowledge of San Francisco Bay Area wildlife and environmental science enhanced campers’ learning experiences. Sammy even brought along his own spotting scope to help campers glimpse wildlife, from western fence lizards and anise swallowtail butterflies at Blake Gardens, to cormorants and brown pelicans at Rodeo Beach.
Even some of KftB’s senior camp staff and year-round Environmental Educators began their KIDS for the BAY journey as campers. Year-round KftB Educator and former KftB Camper Maeve Gallagher shared, “I distinctly remember the joy of dissecting a squid in the sunshine by the bay at camp and I was thrilled to have the chance to do it again, this time as a KIDS for the BAY Educator!”
To kick off their volunteer experience, our KftB Youth Leaders shared what they hoped to achieve during their time at camp. Some wanted to become better leaders. “My goal is to learn more leadership skills as a Leader-in-Training,” said LIT Kenadi Lovan. Others simply hoped to have fun exploring nature and helping campers thrive! “A goal I have is to help a kid who needs it. I also want to lead a game, have fun, and help the campers have fun!” shared LIT Hannah Terbeek. “Some goals and areas of growth I would like to work on are: being comfortable with teaching and gaining leadership experience. I also want to make camp a fun time and an adventure for kids to learn and grow while being safe!” reflected LIT Sitara DeCicco. Camp Ranger Molly Brandsetter hoped to develop her skills in child education and engagement: “I want to work on being more patient with younger kids and learning environmental skills to help me. I also want to spend time with little kids because they are cute and inspiring!”
KftB Youth Leaders left Summer Camp with more leadership and outdoor education skills, new friendships, and lasting memories. Ayana Sakamoto shared her experience as a Leader-In-Training after volunteering as a Camp Ranger last summer. “This summer, I grew in finding ways to get to know the campers because they were older, and some of them opened up differently than the younger ones. My favorite part of being a Youth Leader this year was getting to play games with the campers on the last day of camp.” LIT Twyla Sheridan shared, “My favorite part was hanging out with the kids. I learned lots of new stuff about the San Francisco Bay, nature, and zero-waste practices.”
“My favorite part was leading fun activities and spending time with the younger campers. I learned new things about the San Francisco Bay and bay organisms,” said Bija. “I thought KftB Summer Camp was super fun. I got to help set up activities and help the campers pay attention when someone was talking. I learned that you should socialize with the campers so they feel included and safe,” reflected Hannah Terbeek. “I enjoyed the camp, I love science and being outdoors. My experience as a Leader-In-Training helped me improve my leadership skills and learn more about the geography of the San Francisco Bay Area,” shared Gitanjali.
“I learned as a Youth Leader how to express my enthusiasm through being passionate about everything we were doing. It’s very easy for me to be passionate about the subjects, but I learned how to teach the kids how to have fun and learn new things at the same time. My experience as a Youth Leader was amazing, from doing ‘belly biology’ in the Berkeley Marina to helping an injured tooth hound shark that beached itself during low tide. If that wasn’t amazing, then I don’t know what is! For the future, I would enjoy this as a career!”
Sammy Smith, Leader-In-Training