CNIB has been in Susie’s life for as long as she can remember. Her father was an ophthalmologist who shared his passion for this work with her family.
“CNIB was omnipresent in our home,” said Susie. “We knew all about it, respected it and understood its value.”
Summer camp has long been an important part of Susie’s life. She attended camps as a young girl and eventually transitioned from camper to counsellor.
As a counsellor, Susie was fortunate to work at a range of summer camps, including those for kids with physical disabilities and for people with cancer.
Through these experiences, what became clear to her while working at those specialized camps was that, by helping remove potential barriers, kids in any situation could enjoy the fun and benefits of the camping experience.
Nowadays, Susie’s connection to the camp world is through her commitment as a volunteer.
“I want to help provide opportunities where kids can just be kids!” she explains. “They should be able to explore nature, meet friends and discover their interests. Even when they stumble, they have the chance to problem-solve and discover their personal strengths.”
As a Director of Performance Management, Susie credits her first job as a camp counsellor with helping her discover skills that would later become integral to her career.
“One of my roles at camp was to put on plays and musicals and host Sunday concerts,” said Susie. “The requirement to stand on a stage in front of a whole bunch of people was terrifying at first, but it built my confidence and prepared me for a career full of presentations and pitches. It even inspired my pursuit of a degree in music performance.”
Knowing the work that goes into recruiting, hiring and nurturing a large seasonal staff team each year, Susie encourages young job seekers to think seriously about launching their careers at camp.
“It’s less about it being a job, and more about being an incredible experience where you learn so many unique and transferable skills,” she said. “You get to discover the most unbelievable side of yourself when you deliver programs that other people wouldn’t otherwise be able to enjoy. At the end of every day, you know you made an impact.”