On a hot July afternoon, the sounds of kids playing echo across Frank Field. I notice a group of sixth graders racing down the water slides and running toward the water balloons. All of a sudden, I get sprayed in the face by a water gun. The perpetrator, a fourth grader, was my camper—who always targeted me. As I laugh and begin to run away, the same fourth grader catches up to me and gives me the tightest hug. I smile, looking around at the other campers tossing water balloons and making lifelong friendships. At that moment, I realized how much I enjoy working at the Westridge Tiger Summer Program.
This past summer, I spent two weeks working as a camp counselor at Tiger Camp, Westridge’s summer day camp for Lower and Middle School Westridge students. The counselors are entirely Upper School students, and the program is led by Ms. Farrell Heydorff, Dean of Student Activities and Auxiliary Programs. Ms. Heydorff, the founder of Tiger Camp, created the summer opportunity to integrate new students on campus after the pandemic. Since its founding in 2021, the Tiger Summer Program has run every July for two weeks, hosting a variety of classes from Beginner Sewing to Team Sports.
Before I was a counselor at Tiger Camp, I was a camper. As an incoming 7th grader, I was nervous about navigating Westridge’s campus, which seemed large, intimidating, and unfamiliar to me as a new student. During the summer just after the pandemic, I was a camper during the first year the Tiger Summer Program ran. My counselor at the time, Amelia Hemmings ’22, created activities to help me and my fellow campers bond. Soon enough, I became familiar with the campus and started getting to know my peers. Not only did I make new friendships, but I looked up to my counselors, too. They pushed me to bond with my classmates and try new activities. My experience as a camper at Tiger Camp taught me the value that the camp holds for Westridge students, and I wanted to pay it forward.
After applying to become a Tiger Camp Counselor and receiving the news that I got the job, I realized it was my turn to step into that important role and give my campers the Tiger Camp experience I once had. At first, I was nervous—this was my first job, and I had big shoes to fill. As the days went on, I grew more and more comfortable in this new leadership role. I understood what it was like to be somewhere new and meet new people as a camper and could easily relate and bond with campers as a result. Soon enough, the days started flying by, and I ended up making many memories. I helped a sixth grader sew for the first time, which led to her making countless scrunchies. I assisted in coaching Beginners’ Lacrosse, teaching sixth graders how to cradle their sticks. I helped new students navigate the campus and even witnessed new friendships flourish.
One thing I’ve noticed since school started is my ability to reunite with my campers. Whenever I get the chance, I wave to my campers and catch up with them on what they have been up to. I’ve been able to help them with their homework, sit next to them on the bus, and be someone they can come to for support. Even with the older campers, I was able to share my experience of being a new student in seventh grade and give advice to the rising seventh and eight graders.
While the camp ended in August, the bonds and memories made there have carried on. When I reflect upon my younger self, always nervous in new environments, I remember how much comfort I found in my camp counselors. This was my first summer stepping into that role and becoming that role model for younger kids. I am so honored to have had the opportunity to work at the Tiger Summer Program and help students learn to love Westridge. I have even already begun counting the days to the 2025 Tiger Summer Program.
