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Twenty Years of
International Influence
(by Kathleen McNaboe,
Summer 1999)
International Counselors have always been an important
part of Camp Horizons. Now as we approach the year 2000, the
world seems smaller and smaller. At Camp Horizons evidence
of that is every where you turn, as 30 International Counselors
are part of this year's summer staff team. Many of them have
returned for their second, third and in one case fourth summer
at Camp Horizons.
International Counselor share the experience and expertise
they bring from their own country with us at. Lifeguards Paul
Davies from England and Emma Avery from Australia worked at
camps and with children with disabilities in their own countries
before joining us at summer camp. Alexander Giraldo from Columbia
taught school in his own country and Roland Kato from Uganda
is trained as a physician and when the summer camp session
is finished Roland will begin his medical residency in the
US.
International Staff return to Camp Horizons year after
year for many reasons. Counselor, Roman Androssenko from Russia
"missed campers and staff" and when he signed on for his second
summer he "asked to work with the same campers from last year."
Roman is also impressed by "how well everyone works together"
and the fact that Chris McNaboe takes "good care of the International
Staff." Head Unit Leader, David Mastersson from Australia
is "excited about continuing to work at Camp Horizons" because
he " likes seeing success with campers, the little things
like J.P. cutting his own food and Jeff opening a door by
himself." Murat Dymov, from Russia returned for his second
summer because he "loved the first, it's lot's of fun and
Camp Horizons is very professional and well organized. Everyone
knows what they have to do."
International Staff teach us new things each summer
as they learn about our culture and teaching people with disabilities
in our country. YouKyung Choi from Korea likes Camp Horizons
because here "campers are taught to be independent. In Korea
people with disabilities are just cared for. Korea has a poor
system for the disabled." Corina Mates from Romania enjoys
the fact that at Camp Horizons "you are together with the
campers day and night. That helps you learn about how they
think and develop relationships." Richard Byakika from Uganda
visited other camps before coming to Camp Horizons and was
impressed with the rich, "organized schedule where there is
always something to do." Anna Linda Maria Astvall from Sweden
respects the campers' "different personalities" and is glad
that other staff "make her feel welcome."
International Staff members express gratitude for their
friendly helpful coworkers as they work far away from home.
We are grateful that they chose to come to Camp Horizons this
summer to share their talents and energy with us! It's a small
world after all! |
