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20 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday July 7, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com Summer camp arrival has Oakville Y buzzing T here is a buzz in the air this week at the YMCA of Oakville, as our beloved campers come through our doors and get on our buses for the first week of Y Summer Camp. It's an electric feeling for everyone ­ the counselors, the campers, the parents and for the Y staff, too. For the last several weeks, the Y facility has been overrun with fresh, smiling young faces as camp counselors have met and planned together hour after hour to make sure that their campers have the best summer ever. It's hard work, but you can see that they love it and that it really means something to them to be here. We asked a few of them why they keep coming back to the Y: · "When I was a kid, I loved coming to the YMCA camp so much that when I became too old for camp I got a job here," said Sarah Robertson. · "The Leadership Camps with the Y really helped me to come out of my shell and realize my potential as a leader and a human being," said Emma Hobson. · "Working at Trailblazers (the camp at Valens) has allowed me to open my mind to a more simplistic way of life, instilling traditional values that I can carry throughout my future endeavours. Appreciating and utilizing our natural surroundings," said Sean Turner and Cassandra Deak. · "Being a camp counselor has been the most enjoyable and rewarding job I've ever had. You never forget that feeling because kids are always coming up to you after camp and reminding you that you made their summer amazing," said Steffi Raike. The campers are excited to start camp, too. There is one little girl riding on the back of her new counselor with the biggest smile you ever saw. There is a youth who said that his first day was awesome - even after the lecture about clean language and manners. There is the happy play and laughter in the pool at Bronte Park. There are the art camp campers busy being creative while they tie-dye a shirt or pair of socks. There is the camper who tells his Mom that he `made three new friends already.' It's a busy, happy, connected group. Then there are the parents. Many have butterfly feelings as their tiny girl or boy climbs on the bus for the first time. Some are running in the Y door to find last minute space in a popular camp, or to make a change in schedule. Many breathe a sigh of relief as the bus drives away. And they are all waiting at the bus stop at the end of the day....listening to every word as their precious child tells them about their day. Last, but not least are the staff and volunteers here at the Y. There are the smiling and patient Membership staff at the front desk that work as quickly as they can to turn every little problem into a big opportunity. And there are the wonderful ladies upstairs who handle all of the questions on the phone, which rings non-stop. There are few questions that they don't know the answer to, and if they don't, they always know how to find it and how to put a parent's mind at ease. It feels good, this first week of camp. It feels like a breath of fresh summer air. It's not too late to be part of Y Summer Camp. There are still spaces available in many of the camps and weeks. For more information, go to www.ymcaofoakville.com, or drop in to the Y at 410 Rebecca Street for a brochure. -- Submitted by the Oakville YMCA.