Leading a new generation
When most of us hear the words “camp councillor,” the first image that comes to mind is an awkward teenager leading kids in a fireside sing-a-long. But Calgary summer camps have come a long way over the decades and, as a result, camp programs are employing a new breed of specialized instructors to lead kids through their summer programs.
Ben Randall is entering his fifth summer leading computer and technology camps at SAIT. Randall himself is a graduate from SAIT’s New Media Production and Design program. While still a student, Randall became a peer tutor and found that he enjoyed teaching so much that he returned to SAIT as a professional tutor after his graduation and eventually came on as a camp leader. He’s found the work to be even more rewarding than he anticipated. “I like imparting what I know on a new generation,” Randall says. “Technology improves so rapidly and it’s the younger generation who are going to be most influenced by it. We try to keep kids engaged in the newest and greatest.”
SAIT employs more than 75 camp leaders over the summer to provide instruction to upwards of 3,400 kids. Typically there will be two leaders for each camp segment, instructing about 20 campers at a time. The leaders are often (but not exclusively) SAIT students or grads, with post-secondary instructors sometimes coming in to teach highly specialized subjects such as welding, giving leaders a chance to network with their peers and make valuable social and professional connections.
“We get a great group of people up here,” Randall says. “It wouldn’t be nearly as much fun working camps if we didn’t have such a great team of leaders. We talk a lot — I’ve made some friends from even my first year that I still talk to regularly.”
Many of SAIT’s camp leaders go on to pursue careers in education, which is something Randall himself has also considered. As a veteran camp leader, he’s had the opportunity to work on curriculum development for some of his camps and even propose ideas for new camps.
Between developing and tweaking his camp segments over the course of the summer and inspiring young minds, Randall has really done as much learning as he has teaching during his time as a leader. It’s a job that he recommends to others, provided they have an open mind and the capacity to keep up with the kids.
“There’s a lot of energy that’s required to keep up with the campers. It’s go, go, go all day and you have to keep up with their questions, because they have so many great ideas,” Randall says. “You need to be willing to make a difference and be someone who wants to make an impact on the kids’ lives and teach them something new.”