I've loved and played baseball since I was 3, and I loved playing baseball at the Youth Programs each summer. From rec teams to travel teams, my passion for the game grew, leading me to coach and volunteer wherever I could! Baseball means so much to me that I couldn't pass up on the opportunity to show other kids how fun it is. Growing up, I spent every summer at various sports camps. Those camps hold a special place in my heart for the memories and friendships they provided.

Knowing how much those camps changed me, I felt a strong desire to give back and volunteer with my community!

While baseball might be my main love, we had the best summer ever with all of the fun games we planned. All of the kids loved it! It was a great time to play a lot of different games and find creative ways to keep everyone engaged. My favorite was definitely our Home Run Derby!

I knew I would make friends with the staff, but I didn't know how much fun I'd have making friends with my campers. Kids sure are funny - they had me laughing every day this summer! I'll miss their fun spirits this fall, but hope that they take the fun memories they made with them!

I do have to give it to my fellow camp counselors - they made the summer run as smooth as it could have. I'm so grateful for all of the fun memories we made together, including our late night ice cream runs and the silly jokes that kept us together on those super hot days. We were moved by how fun of a summer it was and how hopeful we are that we left a good memory for our campers. These fellow volunteers will always have a special place in my heart!

Unfortunately, camp has come to its end and I have to return to back to school. The memories I made will always have an impact on me and it makes me eager to find ways to give back on campus. I'm sure there have to be more volunteer opportunities for me where I can have the same fun I had this summer! I got to volunteer for the New Student Orientation last fall and had a blast - maybe I can do that again!

Once again, I can't get over how much fun I had this summer making friends and fun memories. I hope that anyone that feels interested in volunteering next summer does so! It was a great time and I'd recommend it to anyone :)