Sunday, July 6, 2008

First Week

  1. How was your first week? Tell us about it?

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Whew! First week of work has been tiring and hectic but all in all I enjoyed working with the kids and in just 3 days, I already learned a lot from my co-workers, and from the kids that I met. These kids are very intelligent!! The work that we do pushed us to be leaders and I noticed that I gained some valuable leadership skills already in so little time so imagine what will happen at the end of the summer! I really enjoy working with the other employees as well and I hope you all are having great experiences as I am. Enjoy the rest of your summer!! =D

Dae-Day said...

OMG......... The first week of work was a very great experience for me and educational. Fortunetly for me the camp i have been place in would not be starting until July 7 so as for me and my co-workers we had the experience of co-ordinating a camp from the ground up. We went canvasing and advertising walking all about the neighbourhood .Now we have kids in our camp mostly boys and their testosteromes are working up and they are really tiring .As for me im just a ball of fun slowing exploding and just having fun this summer i hope every one is having a great summer like i am ..i'll keep in touch as for now im going to sleep from a tiring day chasing kids!!!!! HAVE A GREAT SUMMER ERR1!!!!!! =D

Anonymous said...

wow the first week was full of ups and downs ....after an exciting opening day ...the wheels just seems to sort of come off one by one...things starting to get repetative and boring to me ...my fellow workers and the campers...i hope that with the few changes we expect to have tomorrow things will get better

but focus on youth needs to get bigger and better...i miss the training week with all the APM's and batman

i also hope everyone enjoys their work and have a great summer!!!

Anonymous said...

First 3 days as a Summar Camp Leader is .. is ;|a (tapping chin while thinking).. well, it's totally a unique experience. I, amung, 3 other TDSB students work with children ranging from 6-10 and, I gotta say, the level of respect that you can command is not always at a full 100% unless you really, really get into the job. Like, actually listening to their comments about the day's activites or working non-stop by talking to one kid to another and to another and to another until snack time comes around the corner, heh. But, all in all, y-yeah, these 2 months will be quite something. That, I definitely know for sure.

- goldmind

Anonymous said...

Hello Hello, ok, My first week has been amazing because I've been working and helping kids. The kids are great and they love to play too. My co-workers are great persons. I hope that everyone who is working with kids have a fabulous time with them. It's your summer, have fun.

Anonymous said...

WELL........the first few weeks felt really long - i guess it's because we (the staff and the 'campers') were just beginning to get acquainted with each other. Personally I like the environment that I'm working in; not only because we are the leaders but we are teaching the older campers to be leaders as well. It would be interesting to see the end results of this summer camp.

Anonymous said...

My first week of camp thus far has been very hectic, exhausting, sweaty...etc, but at the end of each day, it's definitely worth the numerous coatings of deodorant applied each day, and the bottles of water consumed to see a child not want to go home because they're having so much fun. Everyday is worth it to see one of my campers enter the cafeteria doors with a smile on their face awaiting to see what is on the agenda for the day.

There are, of course, issues that need to be dealt with daily. Be it with the staff, or the children. Examples being, lack of supplies, no first aid kits, lack of 2shirts (this is with PFR) etc. Despite all of this it has still been fun.

I know I'll enjoy the rest of this summer, just like I did last year.
Focus on Youth is a great program that helps me connect with my community. It educates me everyday and opens my eyes to new ideas and thoughts.

This'll be an ill summer!

Anonymous said...

Well the first week of work was pretty good for me. The camp that I work at has a fun packed summer ahead for the campers and I a happy to be apart of the whole experience. The kids are sooooo funny and keep me up for the whole day. At the end of every week we have a class trip or a competition or some sort of big activity. So far, its been a wonderful experience and I am looking foward to see what each day is like!

Anonymous said...

Camp is da bomb! Although it's long and tiring, I love every part of it. Working with kids of all-ages from 6 year olds to 15 year olds,I'm gettin a great feel regarding how to deal with kids and understanding them from their perspective. I would probably say the hardest part is learning the name of all the kids, but it's a challenge that I think I can successfully achieve by end of next week.

Anonymous said...

Wow! Let me start off by saying never in a million years did i think that i could have fun, learn new usefull life skills, and GET PAID FOR HAVING FUN AND LEARNING!!!! I LOVE FOCUS ON YOUTH! Yes this is my first time doing this programme buh may I be another one of many to say it is the most awsome idea someone could ever come up with! This program not only teaches students new, useful life skills, they most importantly keep us of the street... and pay us... well how can I forget! This program is incredible! I mean to be quite honest it is not often that the government pays attention to ways on how to get youth "focused" and out of trouble, how to keep youth out of the streets. When i was introduced to this by my school I thought it would be another one of those "job fairs" which claim to garentee you a job buh you never get it... and it turns out that this was not the case. And that is also why I loved this programme soo soo much, because of the fact that they are not giving us youth false hope... this program is amazing!!!!!! Honestly words can not even describe, this is honestly, truthfully speaking, this is like a dream come true!!!! I most definitly think that this program should continue to run in the next years to come because I strongly believe that this program CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE WITH YOUTH TODAY IN THESE "TROUBLED AREAS"!!! Another thing i love about this program is that they helped us youth come out and learn how to speak infront of people. I think this is a very important skill needed as a young youth and not to be rascist buh as a young BLACK YOUTH a voice means alot and is most definitly needed in order to strive and survive in this society we are growing up in today, "without a voice you are nothing" that is something i learned at focus on youth, and that, if you can not exprerss yourself and who you are in a positive manner then you are nothing. However to sum this all up even if I have way more to state lol, i would love to say once again that this program is wonderful and most definitly amazing! This program is the beggining to a new change in many societies with young BLACK YOUTH!!!! WE YOUNG BLACK YOUTH NEED MORE PROGRAMS SUCH AS THIS ONE IN ORDER TO STRIVE AND SURVIVE IN SOCIETY IN THE YEARS TO COME. WE YOUNG BLACK YOUTH CAN BE THE FUTURE OF TOMORROW IF WE PUT OUR MINDS TO IT AND CONTINUE TO GET HELP FROM PROGRAMS SUCH AS "FOCUS ON YOUTH". Thank so much once again for this program and I will continue to make the best out of it and hope that it is here next year not only for me but for my younger brother!
P.S. I LOVE THIS PROGRAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NishKwe said...

The first week has been incredibly HOT so far. I have been able to form relationships with the clients that come in and it's wonderful.

Anonymous said...

Well, the first week of work has had alot of ups and downs. I am working in a very small camp but i'm starting to interact with the kids more and getting to know them better. Every kid that i'm working with is unique and different in their own way and brings their own skills and capabilities to the camp. I hope that everyone is having fun in their workplace right now and wish you guys all the best and a great summer working with the kids

Anonymous said...

the first week was really tiering considering that i wasn't prepared to work in a sports camp. As to my surprise, when the day is over, i left the camp with a smile on my face because the kids are just so darn adorable.

to tell the truth, i did not expect to be filled with so much responsibilities, and drink so much water. (from all the yelling) Stephen Leacock's ICAN summer camp has brought me a lot of joy, and new experiences, and i am very great full.

Anonymous said...

Okay so i knew a few of my co-workers..others I had seen previously and was acquainted with them. Through proximity (constant interactions) I've learned about each and every single one of them, as an individual (characteristics that define them as a person).I found this to be true with the campers as well. I love my Grade 1s they're so well-behaved, well most of the time. But I actually feel useful. They look up to me (literally). When they get hurt, I'm usually the caregiver, the one that somehow manages to put a smile back on their face; and I love it. Seeing the rainbow after the storm, gives me a sense of self-fulfillment; satisfaction on a level you really can't put into words.
These kids do drive me crazy at times, running after them, yelling their names 4638593749 times a day.But I love them. =D

Anonymous said...

My first week of work has been a great experience with kids. This is a chance to use my leadership skills in my community. In first week, I can see kids improving in different activities. This camp is the perfect camp for kids who want to be active during summer.

Anonymous said...

Man the first day is always the toughest. With the learning curve that comes with new environments you need to stay on your feet. Its been a good time with my fellow employees . Jokes here and their with work in between :) I must say i have become a master photo copier, 1 sided, 2 sided , holes, no holes, 1 staple or 2 i can do it Allll! But thats not all that i do. I have had to find jobs for people and put effort into setting up the offices Retail program! Good Times . cant wait in 2 weeks Ill be helping to train people in retail services. Its going to be a blast Oh and by the by this Program ROCKSSS!

Anonymous said...

My first week was just indescribable! Of course, it was exhausting, but it was so much rewarding! Being with kids and teaching them and learning from them at the same time makes it so wonderful for me. This experience is the best! This week times 5 or 6 more weeks would be tough, but it would surely be memorable!


FOCUS ON YOUTH!

Umm Ayman said...

So I work at a conflict mediation center for the summer and I realized it’s much harder than I thought it would be. All in all however I really enjoy it but I’m quite nervous, which I think is a good thing? Ah well, only time will tell I guess.

Anonymous said...

WOW... the first week of work was extremely tiring, but overall it has been such a great experience learning to work with the kids. At first I was off to a rough start because all kids were totally different, and it was really hard to maintain the position of an authority figure with them, but after a few days I finally got the hang of it! I feel truly happy to know that I am making a difference in the lives of these kids, whether it is to act as a role model for them, or whether it be to simply smile and brighten their day. But one this is for certain.. these kids NEVER run out of ENERGY!!!... Ive had kids jumping onto me and latching onto me like monkey babies...haha.. but overall.. Im really happy that I was given this opportunity that will allow me to us all the skills that I have learned so far.. and all that I will develop by the end of the program in the future.

Have a great summer everyone!

Anonymous said...

All I have to say is that I have one of the best summer camp Focus On Youth offers. I dont want to go into the details, but the opportunity that is being offered to join this certain camp is awsome. The kids at the camp, well they can be really frustrating at time to time, but thats just something minor. Other then that I have bonded with my workers and also the kids. I've realized that these individuals have the potential to be future leaders and my job is to guide them and so far me and my mentees are on the same path of being leaders. Other then that I have a few more weeks of camp with full of new and exciting challenges.

Anonymous said...

Hi,

if there is ONE thing i could take home with me from my week of training at Central Tech, it will be the phrase that many of the staff had told us: "Actions speak louder than words". throughout this week, we have learned a lot of leadership skills, but the most important thing is to LEAD BY EXAMPLE..

I hope this program runs next year and for many more years to come,

吴凡 said...

The first week of work was excellent.

Unlike many of you, I don't work with children - I work with youths like us and get paid to (get this) improve ourselves through art. It's unbelievable and completely unique compared to every other dead-end job I've worked at. A singular experience and certainly a leadership inspiration for me.

I'll definitely take this experience and go somewhere next year in my extracirricular leadership opportunities. Thank you, Focus on Youth! I pray we'll see each other again sometime.

Sincelery,
Fun Woo

Anonymous said...

The first week of working at Caring Village has been exceptional. The youth that I have been working with are determined to get the 0.5 credit and are fully engaged in the activities. Although at times it gets sort of stressful I cannot complain because by far it is the best job I have worked for. We get free food and transportation so that's a plus. I am delighted to spend the rest of the summer with the youth from Oakdale and Brookview because together they will be the future of WESTVIEW!!!

Anonymous said...

Hey everyone! The first full week was great. Had an awesome time! The people and kids are so nice. I love working with the kids there and hope I can come back next year.

Anonymous said...

The first week of training was fun!
I had a great time and it has taught me many new things & I'm glad to have met some new people!

Anonymous said...

My first week went pretty well, I got a little lost here and there because variety village has alot of twist and turns in it's hallways and got use to the beautiful lounge they have for the staff which has a microwave so no having to bring sandwiches everyday! And i'm lucky they have one too because there is absolutely NOTHING around, no stores no nothing for blocks that I can make it to and back within my lunch break ( half an hour). The absolute best part of my placement at variety village is that i'm in a program called outreach and it basically a program where kids from other camps around the GTA come to the village and do fun activities like wheelchair basketball, rockwall, an obstacle course, pillow polo and many other things so I don't have to worry about dealing with any bratty kid ever again! Furthermore, I get to do activities with both abeld and disabled children so I get to see the differences in how they communicate or both communicate ( sometimes i have mixed groups with both types of children) and have a new experience everyday even though it might be the same activities but on different days throughout the week :)

Anonymous said...

Will my first week of work was, to tell the truth that was the hardeist i have ever worked in my life,over it got easier, by the days went on,and the children are just dolls.
thank you Foucs on youth