After the fast-paced, high-energy environment of the first week of young campers, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from Teen Week, the session of art camp designed for students grade 6 through grade 12. Before I would find out, I had a couple of days of organization and a morning of education ahead of me. 

The first two days of this week called for cleanup of the prior week’s classes and setup for the teen camp classes which would begin on Wednesday, as well as assisting the museum staff with office organization. I was eager to help however needed and my eagerness was rewarded with a task I very much enjoyed – a practical scavenger hunt involving identifying and labeling all of the keys to various doors, display cases, and cabinets throughout the building. I felt like a sleuth, testing and finding the right match! 

This week’s educational meeting with the Columbus Foundation spurred a lot of reflection for me. Through a guided discussion, we explored what being a leader means to each of us. We talked about how “inspirers” lead with their “why” – their motivation and what they believe in which moves them to be the leaders and positive people that they are. I came to realize that my “why” is my belief that everyone deserves kindness and assistance, and that it’s important that I do all that I can to offer kindness and assistance to everyone. I have always known that I have the capacity to care and empathize, and likewise have long desired to help people in ways that are meaningful to them. I realize that this can be through life enrichment activities like art, or simply by making the world of another a little easier by lending a helping hand with a daunting task. I did not anticipate that so soon after this reflection I would have my “why” reinforced. 

Individual camper needs varied widely, meaning the level of involvement and assistance needed from me as a facilitator was very different from the week prior with the younger kids. Some did not need any support from me apart from my basic role as a project facilitator (gathering materials, assisting with clean up, etc.), and others needed more interactive support. Often that came in the form of suggesting alternative projects or activities to focus on, or helping deal with the frustrations of a project not turning out as anticipated. Overall, I focused my energy on meeting individual campers where they were, and working with them to cultivate a comfortable and enriching experience. 

With the teen campers, the connection made between us was not expressed in the same way as that of the younger campers, such as through hugs or drawings gifted to me. Rather the connection was through simpler interactions that on the surface may seem inconsequential, but to me reinforced that my efforts to connect with and support them had been meaningful. I observed this in campers asking me for help with materials or for input on a project, and sharing what they would be doing after camp. 

This week has definitely deepened my interest and curiosity surrounding different methods of meaningful connection, as well as shown me that these connections can be through practical contributions or emotional support, or anywhere in between! All of it matters, and all of it makes a difference.