Summer camp is their lifestyle

The village's summer camp at Barrett Park doesn't just create good memories for the children. It's also an experience that is enjoyed by the counselors, many of whom have worked with the program for more than a decade.

This year's camp director, Nicole Winter, worked her way through the ranks. She joined Barrett Park as a junior counselor in 1998 –– the summer before entering seventh grade at South High School. "I had just moved to Valley Stream so I had used this as a way to make some friends," she said. "I can't imagine my summers without being here."

She worked her way up to assistant counselor, then head counselor and finally a camp supervisor before being tabbed this year to oversee the camp.

Erika Werbeck, 23, also has been with the program for a decade. She spent two years as a junior counselor, five years as a counselor and now is in her third year as a supervisor. She initially started working with the program in junior high because she wanted to do some community service, and knew it was a good opportunity because her older brother had worked at the camp.

"This job is fun," she said. "You get to see summer through the kids' eyes."

Each group of children is led by a head counselor and a few assistant counselors. There is also a junior counselor which each group, who are volunteers but typically are working toward a paid counselor position. Winter noted that while she and others started working with the camp while in junior high, one must now be 15 to be a junior counselor.

Caroline Kabanda, 22, is in her fifth summer as a counselor. This year, she, her two assistant counselors and her junior counselor oversee a group of 28 fifth- and sixth-grade girls. "Some of these girls I've had since third and fourth grade," she said.

And every year, Kabanda said, the camp has some new faces. "So I'll make new friends," she said.

Ben Futoran, 16, who will be entering his senior year at Valley Stream Central High School, is in his first year with the camp. He said his father wanted him to get a summer job and found out about the opportunity at Barrett Park.

Futoran is working with third- and fourth-grade boys. "They're probably the coolest kids I've ever met," he said.

Tyler Winter, Nicole's younger brother, is also in his first year as a counselor but is not in unfamiliar territory. He previously was with the program for seven years as a camper. "It's a very different experience," Winter said, noting that he went from being able to play all morning to having significant responsibility.

A few of his former counselors are now his co-workers, Winter noted.

Matt Hevia, a supervisor with nine years experience working at the camp, noted that Winter's experience is not uncommon. Most children who pass through Barrett Park in the summer have fond memories of it. "They're generally sad when they have to leave and some resurface as counselors," he said.

While the counselors are responsible for their groups of children, the supervisors oversee the whole program. Werbeck noted that as a supervisor, she must ensure that the counselors are doing their jobs and ensure that the children are safe and happy. "Safety is our No. 1 priority," she said, "but right after that is to make they are having fun."

Nicole Winter said those who work as supervisors have really distinguished themselves in their work with the camp. "You go beyond the call of duty as a counselor," she said.

A 2009 SUNY New Paltz graduate and aspiring teacher, Winter said she applied for the camp director position when she learned last year's leader, Tim McGrath, would not be available. She plans to return as camp director next year and wants to grow the program, including adding more field trip venues.

Tom Roberts, the village's recreation director, said many of the counselors and supervisors work at the camp for the experience. "A lot of them head toward education so it's a good chance to deal with parents and children at the same time," he said.

Stacey Skepner, 17, hopes to become either an elementary school or a high school math teacher. She just graduated from South High School and will attend Nassau Community College in the fall. This is her fourth summer working at Barrett Park. "I think it's a great experience because I want to go into the education field," she said. "You really bond with the kids."