Summer Camp a Popular Job Choice for SACS Students
Summer is rapidly approaching, and SACS (San Antonio Christian Schools) students are beginning to plan out their lives for the next three months. Whether it’s lying by a pool for days on end or visiting exotic vacation spots, summer activities are undoubtedly on many a student’s mind. This summer, a large amount of students from SACS will be working as day camp counselors at T Bar M Camps in New Braunfels, Texas. According to Phil Rich, day camp director at T Bar M Sports Camp, eighteen day camp coaches are students from SACS, twenty including Jordan and Cory Sugg, who are SACS graduates. “SACS students are great candidates for a job at T bar M,” said Rich, “They have a great sense of maturity about them and a good understanding of how to share the gospel. With our main goal of camp being to present Jesus Christ, it is encouraging to know that SACS has prepared students to share the truth of Jesus Christ with others.”
Courtney Catalani, a returning day camp coach and senior this year at SACS, said, “I am glad that there are people I know there, because I will know people during training week. It’s kind of like a security blanket. I know there’s people I can get along with. It’s also cool seeing your classmates investing in kids and growing in God.” However, Catalani also explained, “I’m nervous for having too many SACS kids because I want to be able to get to know more people. It’s hard having the temptation to be cliquish when you already know so many people.” She advises future camp leaders “the easiest thing to do is to just talk to people you know from school, but you need to go meet other coaches. I still have friendships from last summer and people that I know. My advice is to branch out.”
Day camp consists of eleven one-week sessions for children in kindergarten through fourth grade. Coaches play games and interact with children, all the while showing them the meaning of Christianity and teaching them about Christ’s love. “I am most excited for getting to work with all the kids and teaching them about the Lord but having fun doing it, and learning all the chants!” said SACS senior Matt Groves, a first-time coach this summer. “It really is such a blast and one of the best experiences you’ll ever have, but it is a job that requires a lot of hours and you don’t get paid very much,” Catalani commented. Brian Defrees, another returning coach and a SACS junior, explained that T Bar M impacted him because it “showed me that God could use anyone to change the lives of kids and others.” However, being a camp counselor is no easy task. Long hours, little pay, and heat can often wear coaches down. The day camp staff stays dedicated through prayer and strength in the Lord. Past counselors say that the camp teaches coaches to always put campers before themselves.
Although the deadline for day camp applications has passed for the summer of 2010, SACS students may consider a position with this fun-filled summer camp next year. Coaches may choose to work the first half, the second half, or for the entire summer. “I really like the atmosphere there,” explained Catalani. “You’re allowed to go crazy and have fun 24/7, and you have these adorable little kids who just adore and love you. You get to invest in them and also interact with the coaches. Everyone is there to help you and to encourage one another.”
Day camp provides an awesome opportunity for many SACS kids to share their faith and experience the love of Christ. “I am most excited about seeing the Lord move,” Rich remarked. “Every summer He amazes me in His ability to use people in unique ways to show love to so many kids. I believe each coach is positioned by God and their specific gifts come forward as they serve the campers. Being able to see transformation take place week after week is a huge blessing and is what keeps me here year after year.” Coaches have the opportunity to share the joy of the Lord with kids, as well as to practice being FUAGNEM (fired up and going nuts every minute) with T Bar M’s crazy and inspiring atmosphere. “It’s one of the best experiences you’ll ever have,” said Catalani, “I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”