Camping out for jobs
Western's Summer Camp Job Fair offers students internships, opportunities
Courtney Jayne
Issue date: 2/4/05 Section: News
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A crowd of about 300 people walked in and out of the Grand Ballroom of the Western Illinois University Union Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the 34th annual Summer Camp Job Fair. The fair was sponsored by the recreation, park and tourism administration department, and was held to try and provide students with work this summer and try and provide camps with good workers.
"We bring camp directors in to recruit college students to work at their camps," said RPTA graduate student Jarrah Buch.
Approximately 40 tables were set up with brochures, poster boards and a plethora of information about 40 different camps. All camps present were summer camps, although some internships for students were offered.
RPTA professor Dale Adkins said he believes there is a camp for everyone.
"There's not a student on campus that could not benefit from working at a summer camp," Adkins said.
He also serves as interim chairman for the RPTA department.
He added students could learn many things, not only in camping activities, but by working with children as well. He said the camps present at the fair are based on youth development, so students would be shaping the lives of today's youth.
Adkins said in his opinion, it would not only benefit the students, but the camps as well because they would gain dedicated employees.
"Camps need all majors. Camp is a community," he said.
Nine Western graduate students came to the fair to represent the camps they have worked for in the past. Adkins said there is definite potential for students to represent the camps in the future.
"(The directors) said they have really seen some good quality students this year," he added.
Buch said directors interview while students walk around the fair.
Three professional executives of camps also came to the fair from Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin. Adkins said they were professionals in regional organizations, each from a different region. Students were allowed to talk to them in order to find a camp that would fit with their personalities.
The directors and executives were presented with a workshop last night to give them an idea about Macomb. Marty Barkley, dietetics, fashion, merchandising and hospitality professor, presented the workshop and played host for the visitors.
The RPTA department also had a climbing activity for those who came to the fair. The idea was to climb up logs held up by rope to get to the top.
Both Adkins and Buch said they believe the fair is wonderful experience for anyone.
"It is a great opportunity to work and get a job for the summer," Buch said.
Adkins said he believes it's an opportunity of a lifetime.
"Their lives will change forever," he said.