We asked a couple of our current staff members to talk about how Akeela has fit into their careers as educators. Here’s what they said …
Before I say more, I can start quite simply with this: Working at Camp Akeela has transformed my life.
Nine years ago, in the spring of 2016, I was a much more reserved 20 year old from a “wee” village in rural Ireland. I still remember feelings of uncertainty when I clicked ‘submit’ on my application to a camp staffing agency which prided itself on matching its applicants with their perfect camp … and boy did they succeed! It was only a matter of days before the assistant director of Camp Akeela reached out to me and so began my wonderful camp journey!
In that first summer at camp, I gained invaluable experience and leadership skills. Since 2016, I have been lucky enough to return to Akeela five times. No two summers were ever the same, but each presented me with incredible opportunities for growth, both personally and professionally.
To some extent, that’s true at any camp. They say that at camp, “the days are long but the weeks are short” and it’s true: every day is full of chances to do life-changing work with kids, to learn more about yourself and to take on more exciting responsibilities. At Akeela, that’s all even more true because of the camper population. It’s a sleepaway summer camp for neurodivergent or “quirky” kids, ages 9 – 17. Many campers at Akeela find social situations challenging and the staff is there to help them connect with other kids and feel great about themselves. As a teacher, I can’t imagine a more important skill to have.
As I write this, a month from turning 29 years old, I credit Camp Akeela as being the single greatest positive growth experience, not only in my twenties, but in my whole life. I think about the 20 year old version of myself, just launching on this new overseas adventure, and he’s hardly recognizable as compared to who I am today. I’m so much more confident, courageous, wise, and, above all, self-assured. And I credit that to my transformative summers at Camp Akeela.
Who knows what could be in store for you?!
-Rob Brennan
Debbie and Eric Sasson, Akeela’s directors, met each other 25 years ago when they were working at the summer camp that my husband and I owned. When I retired in 2016, after being a Special Education teacher for 28 years, the Sassons reached out to me about joining the Akeela community. I’ve always loved camp, so I figured why not give it one more summer?
Well, I loved that first summer at Akeela so much that I absolutely had to return for 2 more summers. After being away for 5 years, I returned last summer and it was like going home. I was so happy to be back in this amazing place.
Debbie, Eric and Erin have created a welcoming community that is committed to the growth and well being of all – staff and campers. Everyone is respected and valued. Watching the campers develop independence, self-confidence, and the skills to live within a community setting and advocate for themselves is so fulfilling and rewarding. I love mentoring the counselors and watching the growth and development of their skills.
Being at Akeela is a perfect way for me to continue my passion for working with neurodivergent kids. I love that I continue to use my skills and experience to enable growth in the campers and the counselors. If you are a retired teacher like me, or someone who is currently working in education, and you value being part of a very special place, then Akeela is the place for you!
– Barb Wolfson
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