Tell us more about ONE or TWO activities listed above that are most important to you. Please explain the role you played and what you learned in the process. You will be asked for a reference who can speak to your response.(maximum 350 words
My most memorable experience has been spending half of my summer volunteering at the SFU Summer Camps.
Due to the variety of camps, I was pre assigned to work at a new camp each week. I worked with different instructors, different age groups of campers, and a different type of camp. I quickly learned how important it was for me to be able to adapt to the changes each week brought. For example, with the ESL camps, whenever I was explaining, I knew that a verbal explanation wouldn't suffice like it did with non ESL Camps, I would have to focus more on visually explaining it with lots of demonstrations.
A typical camp would consist of 3 instructors and 2-3 volunteers. One of the key things to make sure a camp ran successful and smoothly was communication, between all of us. I made sure to ask the instructors what they had planned out for that day, so I wouldn't be confused and miss my opportunity to lead something. Or whenever I had to co lead activities with my volunteer peers, discussing what the activities will be, who's going to speak and how will we explain it to them was essential in order to not waste valuable time.
I had to learn to find a balance where I bonded with the campers, so I would be seen as more of a friend then just another volunteer and at the same time be seen as an authority figure. When dealing with younger children I learned how to be patient, and calm especially during meltdowns. A specific example I can give is one time our camp was heading for lunch, and I was instructed to be at the back of the line. While everyone had gone inside, the camper in front of me stubbornly refused to go, and I was left alone to deal with him. I could not let my frustration show, I had to be patient, and quickly use tactics that might make him listen.
Overall I learned a lot about leadership, and gained more confidence than what I began with.
Note:
In the previous question that said to list 5 activities (which I will make a separate thread for), I listed SFU Camp as one where I explained my roles and responsibilities. Do I have the repeat it again for this question, or can I leave it?
To be more specific
It was this:
I volunteered at the SFU Summer Camps. My responsibilities were to assist the instructors by leading games or activities, ensuring safety, and helping instructors deal with misbehaving children. In by doing so I formed bonds with these children, increased my leadership and communication skills.
My Most Important Activities
My most memorable experience has been spending half of my summer volunteering at the SFU Summer Camps.
Due to the variety of camps, I was pre assigned to work at a new camp each week. I worked with different instructors, different age groups of campers, and a different type of camp. I quickly learned how important it was for me to be able to adapt to the changes each week brought. For example, with the ESL camps, whenever I was explaining, I knew that a verbal explanation wouldn't suffice like it did with non ESL Camps, I would have to focus more on visually explaining it with lots of demonstrations.
A typical camp would consist of 3 instructors and 2-3 volunteers. One of the key things to make sure a camp ran successful and smoothly was communication, between all of us. I made sure to ask the instructors what they had planned out for that day, so I wouldn't be confused and miss my opportunity to lead something. Or whenever I had to co lead activities with my volunteer peers, discussing what the activities will be, who's going to speak and how will we explain it to them was essential in order to not waste valuable time.
I had to learn to find a balance where I bonded with the campers, so I would be seen as more of a friend then just another volunteer and at the same time be seen as an authority figure. When dealing with younger children I learned how to be patient, and calm especially during meltdowns. A specific example I can give is one time our camp was heading for lunch, and I was instructed to be at the back of the line. While everyone had gone inside, the camper in front of me stubbornly refused to go, and I was left alone to deal with him. I could not let my frustration show, I had to be patient, and quickly use tactics that might make him listen.
Overall I learned a lot about leadership, and gained more confidence than what I began with.
Note:
In the previous question that said to list 5 activities (which I will make a separate thread for), I listed SFU Camp as one where I explained my roles and responsibilities. Do I have the repeat it again for this question, or can I leave it?
To be more specific
It was this:
I volunteered at the SFU Summer Camps. My responsibilities were to assist the instructors by leading games or activities, ensuring safety, and helping instructors deal with misbehaving children. In by doing so I formed bonds with these children, increased my leadership and communication skills.
