Through the summer, I learned several new skills. I became CPR, first aid, and AED certified. I can communicate needs and wants by sign language. Most importantly, I gained the skill to understand, take care of, and be friends with adults with special needs. Most of the campers have special diets so I know what they can and cannot have. I get to know my campers like the back of my hand.  I never knew I was capable of caring for 3 to 5 special needs adults for 9 weeks. The most important lesson I learned is that we are all human. Whether we communicate with sign language, need a walker or wheelchair, or are mentally delayed, everyone is capable of anything, sometimes we just need a helping hand.

This internship has greatly impacted my career path. My original plan was to pursue a master’s degree in clinical psychology, but now I’m at a crossroads. I love helping this community. They bring me so much joy and I want to always be involved with this community. So, I’m stuck between getting my master’s in clinical psychology or something that would lead me to be involved with special needs adults and children. It is a crossroad that I do not have much time to figure it out, but no matter what path I decide, I hope I can still help others in any way I can.

My advice for future interns is that you get what you give. If you give 100% of yourself to your internship every day, you will get 100% back. Whether it is new skills you learn, a job in the future with the company, or even just connections in your field, it is worth it to intern, to learn, and to be active in your career field.

Life as an intern is super exhausting. I work literally all day with the campers but it’s very rewarding. Everyone here except the nurses are interns. It’s really awesome not feeling the pressure of being the only intern. I also met some lifelong friends which I’m very thankful for.

On the weekends, most of us go out and explore the state. Colorado has a lot to offer and each weekend is a new adventure. All of the staff live at camp on the weekends so we hang out a lot. They feel like a family, not just a team. We recently went to a Colorado Rockies game. Everyone came to the game and it was just awesome to relax and have fun with the people you work right beside in a high stress job. The whole state is littered with cool things to do and new restaurants to try. I do not think I have been to the same restaurant twice, but every restaurant is better than the last.

A typical day at Colorado Lion’s Camp starts around 7 A.M. I go over to the male’s dorm to get my campers up, dressed, and ready for the day. Then we go down to the front of the main lodge to raise the flag before breakfast. Normally after breakfast, we would take the campers to the pool, lake, or ranch and come back for lunch. The rest of the day is filled with a 2 hour rest period and then activities like arts and crafts, drama, and sports. We finish the day after the night activity. Everyone takes their nighttime medication and goes up to the dorms to get ready for bed around 9 P.M.

My major responsibilities are making sure my campers are safe, taken care of, and having fun. It can be hard to make sure every camper is involved and having fun. Some really don’t like sports but love crafts, so there has to be that happy balance. Overall, my biggest responsibility is making sure their health is okay while at camp.

You can really tell the camp is focused on the safety and health of our campers but also on them having fun. It can be a weird environment at times. Everyone is so careful and caring for their campers that our guard never goes down, even when dancing to music with them. It’s a constant concern with their emotional and physical health, but seeing them have fun is worth it.

Implementing my knowledge of special needs from my classes has benefited me a lot. Knowing someone with Down syndrome is naturally defiant helps me tailor my approach to something that will get them to work with me. Options are more beneficial than anything. It lets them know they are not being controlled. They are human beings who just require extra attention. The extra attention is worth every minute when you see how happy they are.

My name is Caitlyn Bauske. I’m a rising senior with a major in Psychology. I’m from Gloucester County, Virginia. My internship is in Colorado where I work at Colorado Lions Camp as a Camp Counselor for adults with disabilities. I have just finished staff training and learned a lot.

One of the biggest things I learned was how much the campers are excited to be at camp and how important it is for me to care for my campers. The staff training ranged from CPR, AED and First Aid class to become certified to zip lining in Woodland Parks, Colorado. It has been one of the most eye opening and exciting weeks. I cannot wait for campers to be at camp and learn more about myself as a person and how to give all around care to other people.

Camp Counselor, Colorado Lions Camp