When Matt first asked me to write about what it was like to be on Summer Staff, I was immediately flooded with many, many memories of my time there. A lot has changed from 2005, my first summer, to 2011, my most recent summer. In 2005, it was called Permanent Staff. Now it’s called Summer Staff. In 2005, we had horses. Now we don’t. Even the faces have changed from 2005 to now. Mike Brougham was my 2005 supervisor. Rich Dugan was my supervisor last summer. Caitlin Pettit, a lifeguard, to Geraldo Velasquez. Kelsey K, a horse wra…well, nevermind. You were irreplaceable, Kelsey K.
One thing that hasn’t changed is the heart of the people I’ve served with over those years. Each of those people listed above, and even those that weren’t (Believe me, I could go on for a while, but Matt Ralph said to keep it short.), brought something special and something unique to the table that made each summer unforgettable. They contributed something to that summer that now, after six summers of serving, still causes me to smile and reflect (or scratch my head, wonder what I was thinking and then smile, depending on the memory.)
Was it easy? No, not always. Was it worth it? Absolutely. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Visit delanco.org/employment for information about applying for summer staff, volunteering on weekly staff and/or applying for our summer communications intern position.
