“We’re teaching kids how to be good human beings in the world, and that starts with showing those values every day.” - Counselor Elizabeth
At the Tom Taylor Family YMCA, summer day camp is more than just games and activities. It’s a place where friendships can grow, confidence can build, and the Y’s core values come to life. For sisters Elizabeth, Victoria, and Avery, camp has been a summer tradition for six years. This year marks the first time they are each experiencing camp from a unique perspective: Elizabeth as a counselor, Victoria as a Counselor in Training (CIT), and Avery as a camper.
A Counselor’s Full Circle Moment
Elizabeth, the eldest, says stepping into a counselor role feels like coming full circle. “It feels super cool,” she says. “When I walk around, I remember little pieces from when I was a camper here. Now, I get to help kids have those same experiences. It’s such a special feeling.”
The Y’s four core values of honesty, caring, respect, and responsibility are at the heart of the job for Elizabeth. “We’re teaching kids how to be good human beings in the world, and that starts with showing those values every day.”
A CIT Year of Learning and Leading
Victoria, the middle sister, is in her CIT year, which means learning leadership skills while still having fun alongside campers. “I’ve learned so much about responsibility and time management,” she says, describing how she juggles her clipboard, walkie-talkie, and early checkouts while still joining in on games with campers and counselors.
She looks up to her older sister’s leadership style and has picked up valuable tips. “One of the best things I’ve learned from Elizabeth is how to get a group to quiet down in a way that works. We have different approaches, and I realized I can learn from her just as much as she can learn from me.”
A Camper with Big Dreams
Avery, the youngest, is still in her camper years. Her favorite activity is climbing the rock wall. Having her sisters at camp makes the experience even better. “If I need something, I can go to them. It’s not just me at camp trying to meet people. I have my sisters here too.”
Avery already knows what she wants to do in the future. She plans to follow in her sisters’ footsteps as a CIT and eventually become a counselor.
Sharing the Camp Spirit at Home
Even though they are in different roles, the sisters support each other throughout the day and swap stories once they’re home. Sometimes they even stay in “camp mode” after hours, calling each other by their camp names.
Their dad recalls the joy of their first day this summer, when the three girls came home excited because they had all been able to sit together at lunch. It was a small moment, but one that reflected the deeper connections camp fosters not just between campers and counselors, but within families as well.
Living Out the Y’s Values Together
When asked to sum up what camp means to them, all three agree. It’s about meeting new people, having fun, and living the Y’s values. As Elizabeth puts it, “It’s about being an impact in kids’ lives and helping them grow as individuals and as a group.”
For this sister trio, YMCA summer day camp is not just a season; it’s a shared tradition that is shaping who they are, together.