The summer started with no time to waste. From day one there was something to be done. I could tell that the lay back in the sun summers I was use to, were over. I started the first day with with quick introductions to everyone I would be working with on a day to day basis. I then soon realized that I would be introducing myself to what it seemed like everyone in my community.
Every time we we put an event together, we would reach out to people in our community for support. The people of the city began to recognize me and would start small talk and eventually they would call me to see what was going on next in the city.
I began working my way into more responsibility. At the beginning of the internship I was guided and watched (which was understandable) until I proved myself and my commitment to the Parks and Recreation Department. We started with simple tasks such as advertising for Pool Parties and Movie Nights. This was easy at the beginning of the year because of the easy access to the target market via public schools. However, as the schools closed for the summer, it became tougher to advertise.
I began advertising everywhere I could. I went to every day care, restaurant, pool and park through our city to spread the word. I also used the local radio stations and newspaper. I found out that advertising would make or break and event from my previous experience in the integrated core class when my group chose to do a Can Jam. The event was not advertised well and therefor suffered a terrible turn out.
So this summer I did the advertising what seemed like daily. Meanwhile, I continued to think of ideas on how our events could be better than ever. I came up with ideas, some failed but some stuck. The first idea I proposed that stuck was the suggestion that we move the "Free Movie Nights" from a hidden park in the back part of town, to a more central and traveled area of town. This single idea increased the average crowd of approximately 130%. I have no doubts that the city was thrilled by my suggestion after the turn out.
Another suggestion I had that may not have added more of a turn out, but did provide simplicity for the city participants, was to add the forms of all camps and activities onto the city web page. This saved both myself and the participants time and effort.
After a few weeks of work it was time for swim team to start. I was the head coach for the last few years but chose to be an assistant coach due to the internship. This was a good choice because I had three different camps going which seemed almost every week, along with dances, pool parties and movie nights. I was constantly inconsistent on what I would be doing the following day. There was not a set schedule. Whatever was planned, needed to be done. This made for a pitiful social life. However, that didn't seem to bother me because I was providing fun for others.
This brought me joy and made me realize why I picked this major. I find joy in making others happy. I chose to do this through Parks and Recreation.
After swim team started, it was on to the summer camps. These summer camps proved to be the hardest of all events to get a good turn out. I advertise the same way for all of the events which has been more than the past years but still received a small crowd that was interested in the camps. I think the recreating part of life is quickly slipping out of the youth of america's life. You don't see kids out playing as much as you did 20, 15,10 or even 5 years ago. I did some research and areas around Saint Albans were finding the same problem. This was the first realization I had that this job may not be for everyone. It takes a certain type of person to do this and promote it well. I still pushed forward and managed to have some camps despite the low numbers of interested people.
Even though the camps were not the best, the kids still had a good time and so did I. If I can provide fun for just one other person, it is worth it.
I am satisfied with my summer internship and I know my advisor is as well. I would recommend this internship to others because I know it will teach you the little things that you may have over looked.
Every time we we put an event together, we would reach out to people in our community for support. The people of the city began to recognize me and would start small talk and eventually they would call me to see what was going on next in the city.
I began working my way into more responsibility. At the beginning of the internship I was guided and watched (which was understandable) until I proved myself and my commitment to the Parks and Recreation Department. We started with simple tasks such as advertising for Pool Parties and Movie Nights. This was easy at the beginning of the year because of the easy access to the target market via public schools. However, as the schools closed for the summer, it became tougher to advertise.
I began advertising everywhere I could. I went to every day care, restaurant, pool and park through our city to spread the word. I also used the local radio stations and newspaper. I found out that advertising would make or break and event from my previous experience in the integrated core class when my group chose to do a Can Jam. The event was not advertised well and therefor suffered a terrible turn out.
So this summer I did the advertising what seemed like daily. Meanwhile, I continued to think of ideas on how our events could be better than ever. I came up with ideas, some failed but some stuck. The first idea I proposed that stuck was the suggestion that we move the "Free Movie Nights" from a hidden park in the back part of town, to a more central and traveled area of town. This single idea increased the average crowd of approximately 130%. I have no doubts that the city was thrilled by my suggestion after the turn out.
Another suggestion I had that may not have added more of a turn out, but did provide simplicity for the city participants, was to add the forms of all camps and activities onto the city web page. This saved both myself and the participants time and effort.
After a few weeks of work it was time for swim team to start. I was the head coach for the last few years but chose to be an assistant coach due to the internship. This was a good choice because I had three different camps going which seemed almost every week, along with dances, pool parties and movie nights. I was constantly inconsistent on what I would be doing the following day. There was not a set schedule. Whatever was planned, needed to be done. This made for a pitiful social life. However, that didn't seem to bother me because I was providing fun for others.
This brought me joy and made me realize why I picked this major. I find joy in making others happy. I chose to do this through Parks and Recreation.
After swim team started, it was on to the summer camps. These summer camps proved to be the hardest of all events to get a good turn out. I advertise the same way for all of the events which has been more than the past years but still received a small crowd that was interested in the camps. I think the recreating part of life is quickly slipping out of the youth of america's life. You don't see kids out playing as much as you did 20, 15,10 or even 5 years ago. I did some research and areas around Saint Albans were finding the same problem. This was the first realization I had that this job may not be for everyone. It takes a certain type of person to do this and promote it well. I still pushed forward and managed to have some camps despite the low numbers of interested people.
Even though the camps were not the best, the kids still had a good time and so did I. If I can provide fun for just one other person, it is worth it.
I am satisfied with my summer internship and I know my advisor is as well. I would recommend this internship to others because I know it will teach you the little things that you may have over looked.
