G.O.D.’s WorkWell Trains Youth to Demonstrate Character & Professionalism in the Workplace

An Interview with Three Workwell Employees Who Worked as Camp Skillz Counselors this Summer

This summer, Camp Skillz, a program of G.O.D. Int'l for kids ages 6-11 was staffed partially by WorkWell employees. Because the Workwell program offers employment for kids in several categories, the color of their shirt they wore would denote their rank. Junior Counselors, ages 14-16, wear purple. Counselor Interns, ages 16-18, wear blue. And Peer Leaders, ages 21-24, wear red, and hold a supervisory position over Junior Counselors and Counselor Interns.

Pictured from left to right are the three Camp Counselor Interns interviews for this article: Kasandra (16), Kayah (17), and Liz (17). This is Kasandra’s second year with WorkWell and Kayah and Liz’s first year.

I interviewed three camp counselors interns to learn what they took away from their experience this summer. My first question for Liz (17), Kayah (17), and Kasandra (16) was, “What exactly does being a Camp Counselor Intern mean?”

I was met with a list of responsibilities:

1. Make sure activities stay on-schedule and transitions happen.

2. Make sure activities are “run straightly.”

3. Janitorial .

4. Set-up for the activities .

5. Make sure the junior counselors (14-16 year old’s who are often experiencing WorkWell and job for the first time, who assist the camp counselors) are doing what they are supposed to.

As I spoke more with them, I quickly discovered that WorkWell interns are learning much more than they realized. They’re not only being trained in the job itself and how to complete routine responsibilities, they are also learning what it looks like to maintain a job, communicate in a professional context, about work ethic, and how to make consideration for their peers as well as those receiving the services rendered.

When I asked them what had challenged them in working at Camp Skillz, a theme that emerged for all of them was patience.

1. Patience with the jobs given to me .

2. Patience with the Junior Counselors .

3. Patience with the schedule .

As we talked more about each of their challenges with patience, they explained that through times of reflection and intentional conversation with staff, it became one of the lessons that benefited them most in their experience.

Kasandra noted the challenge she had encountered in demonstrating patience toward younger junior counselors in their first year of work. She shared that she had empathy for junior counselors because two years ago, she was one. That experience, and the encouragement from those in leadership to demonstrate patience, appreciation, and humility, helped her to adjust her responses even when she was tempted to be annoyed by younger, less experienced employees.

"Having been a junior counselor first makes me empathize with them. So if they are having a hard time, I know how they feel."

If you look closely, you will see youth wearing 3 different colored shirts: red, blue, and purple. Each are from the WorkWell program and working for Camp Skillz. The youth in the red shirt is a Peer Leader who oversees the Interns and Junior Counselors. The two youth in the blue shirts are the Counselor Interns who are 16-18 years old. The youth in the purple shirts are Junior Counselors who are 14-16 years old. 

Kayah has experienced the inevitable frustrations that come with doing less-preferred (but much needed) tasks and the energy it requires to work with children all day. As she contended with the temptation to be frustrated one morning, she remembered the value of the week that she had taught to the children, “patience.” Instead of letting her preferences rule her in that moment, she chose to remember what she was teaching. And, because she chose to be patient and fulfill her work responsibilities, kids got to safely enjoy the water day. The very value she was responsible to teach helped her provide a safe and fun day for those she rendered her service to, the children.

Liz reflected on her experience setting aside preference to consider the needs of the kids she served.“What I do matters. I have to have patience and listen to the kids. This is about the kids and remembering it is not about me or my enjoyment, but how we make this safe and enjoyable for the kids.” Kayah and Kasandra both agreed. This consideration and implementation of patience was profound to hear from young teens; so I asked them where they learned how to do this.

WorkWell Program Director, Rachel Hartnell, made sure to know what interests and talents the WorkWell youth had prior to programming starting. She then intentionally placed the youth in the areas of Camp Skillz that would help them continue to develop in their areas of interest while also providing them with an opportunity to share their gifts with the campers. Here, Kayah is seen teaching children to dance, something she enjoys doing and does well at, outside of her camp job.

“We are learning how to do this by seeing others do it. Ms. Bri and Mrs. Hartnell do this and they are kind and want to make sure everyone is heard. They make sure to note our good ideas. They make sure everyone is heard and seen. This is so important and so we also do that for the kids at camp.

It is evident that these Camp Counselor Interns are walking away impacted by their time at Camp Skillz and even by the campers themselves. Each intern echoed the other’s response in somewhat amazement as they told me why it was rewarding to work at Camp Skillz:

They are learning that having a job is not just about making money; it’s about engaging one’s world with professionalism, kindness, respect, patience, and seeing the fruit on the other side of their labor.

It’s through programs like WorkWell and others that Opportunity NOW provides, as well as kids’ summer programming such as Camp Skillz, that should lead us all to confidently say, “There is hope in the world through the investment into the next generation.”

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Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” -1 Timothy 4:12