“It's not just a job, it’s a community:” How YMCA Day Camp Ignited Abby’s Spark

Meet Abby, a YMCA Day Camp Program Specialist. Until last summer, she hadn’t really been involved with the YMCA, but what started as a leap into something new has become a life-shaping journey grounded in purpose, growth, and community.

“I love [being] outdoors. I love working with kids, so I gave it a chance, and I’m so happy I did…it’s been perfect,” says Abby.

That sense of discovery is at the heart of the YMCA experience. For Abby, it was the Y’s deep commitment to its values—caring, honesty, inclusion, respect, and responsibility—that made her take the first step.

“The core values…how they treat their employees…that really impacted how I felt about the job,” she explains. “When you work for someone, you want to feel respected and you want to feel cared for.”

The YMCA delivered.

“This job has probably been my best work experience,” Abby says. “My supervisor last year, the care and the compassion they had for me as a new person was just incredible. I felt so supported…I was learning, and I wasn’t judged for [not knowing something] and wanting to learn more.”

At the Y, that culture of support creates a powerful ripple effect where staff are empowered to grow, and in turn, empower others.

“Everybody wanted to make that impact on you…and that’s what I want to stay for—to pass on what I’ve learned from the Y to new people as well.”

It’s this shared commitment to growth that turns a workplace into a community.

“I would say [camp is] impactful…it’s impactful for everybody involved. Staff, campers, families,” Abby reflects. “It’s not just a job…it’s like a little community.”

In that community, transformative moments happen, sometimes in the smallest, quietest ways.

“I love being able to help people reach their potential,” she says. “When a camper’s nervous to do something…using methods the Y teaches you, like Challenge by Choice…we’re able to slowly work them into reaching that goal.”

She describes a camper hesitant to try canoeing, taking tentative but meaningful steps forward.

“Are we sitting in the grass pretending to paddle? Then maybe they’re sitting in the boat in the water…and then they’re paddling. Just making those little steps and seeing them grow in confidence.”

These moments of courage and connection are what define the YMCA experience, a place where every individual is supported to grow at their own pace, and every success is celebrated.

For Abby, the journey has been equally transformative.

“It opened my eyes,” she says. “This is where I want to be. I want to be outside. I want to be with kids. I want to be making a difference.”

Through hands-on leadership and meaningful mentorship, Abby has developed skills that will shape her future, including confidence, resilience, empathy, and the ability to lead with care.

“Learning how to work with kids…managing behaviours…all the things that come along with camp, it affects my future too,” she explains. “It’s not just a job.”

That growth is made possible by the people around her, leaders who model YMCA values and create space for staff to show up as their full selves.

“Being able to get emotional at work is hard…but I was able to sit down and say, ‘today was a really tough day,’” Abby recalls. “I was supported. I didn’t feel silly.”

For Abby, that support reinforced a sense of belonging. “They let me feel the feelings,” she adds. “And that meant everything.”

Today, Abby is paying that support forward, helping create safe, inclusive spaces where children and young people can build confidence, form friendships, and discover what they’re capable of.

“That’s what the Y is all about,” she says. “We want young people to have good experiences here…so they come back, so they grow.”

It’s a cycle of impact that continues year after year, strengthening individuals and building stronger communities. 

For Abby, saying yes to camp was a turning point.

“If you’re hesitant about working at the YMCA, don’t be,” she says. “It was the best decision I’ve ever made.”