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Camp Skimino Embraces Cultural Exchange with International Counselors

Camp Skimino fosters an enriching cultural exchange among campers and international counselors.

News Summary

Camp Skimino in James City County has become a vibrant cultural exchange center, aided by international counselors like Julie Sekaninova from the Czech Republic. Through the Camp America program, Sekaninova leads Cadette-level Girl Scouts while sharing insights about her culture. The initiative enhances campers’ experiences and fosters global awareness, benefiting both campers and staff. Despite initial concerns about language barriers, Sekaninova and her fellow counselors connect with campers, broadening their perspectives. The camp, which employs international counselors through the J1 visa program, continues to promote personal growth and development in a diverse environment.

James City County – Camp Skimino has become a hub of cultural exchange, thanks to the involvement of international counselors, such as Julie Sekaninova from the Czech Republic. Through the Camp America program, Sekaninova serves as a unit leader for nine Cadette-level Girl Scouts, aged 12 to 15. The initiative, which has collaborated with the Girl Scouts for over 25 years, aims to provide diverse camp staff to enhance the experience for campers.

Sekaninova expresses her excitement about exploring daily life in the United States, noting her fascination with common amenities like toilets and showers. Working during overnight camp sessions, she offers campers a unique perspective on her culture while ensuring their safety and enjoyment at the camp.

The selection process for the Camp America program emphasizes finding candidates whose skills, availability, and personalities align with the Girl Scouts’ mission. This approach aims to recruit energetic and enthusiastic individuals, many of whom have prior experience with youth organizations, making their integration into the Girl Scouts camp environment smoother.

While campers at Camp Skimino enjoy a broad range of activities, international counselors also engage in cultural exchange. This requirement ensures that they share insights about their home countries, enriching the learning environment. Sekaninova admits to feeling nervous about her English proficiency at first and the perceptions campers might have regarding her status as an international counselor. However, she has received positive feedback from campers who are curious about her Czech background.

A standout moment in cultural exchange occurred when Sekaninova informed campers that there is no Chick-fil-A in the Czech Republic, which sparked surprise among the girls. This kind of interaction highlights the educational aspect of having international staff, as they broaden the campers’ perspectives and understanding of global cultures.

Tammy Carlson, the Human Resources Director for the Girl Scouts, reinforces this perspective, noting that international counselors broaden cultural understanding and create opportunities for learning among both campers and staff. Carlson remarked humorously about the astonishment among international recruits regarding the vastness of American grocery stores, especially the cereal aisle.

The hiring of international counselors is facilitated through the J1 visa program, a key component of the Camp America initiative. Earlier this year, this program faced delays, raising concerns about staffing for the Girl Scouts. Despite these challenges, the camp is currently supported by seven international counselors from countries including England, Scotland, Guatemala, Australia, and the Czech Republic. As summer sessions progress, counselors rotate between various camps, including Camp Outback in Chesapeake and Camp Apasus in Norfolk.

Grace Johnson, a trainee counselor, emphasizes the enriching experience of working alongside international staff, pointing out how it enhances campers’ global awareness. This aligns with the camp’s goals of fostering personal growth and development through exposure to diverse cultures.

Camp Skimino’s director, Natalie Lane, underlines the significance of these cultural interactions, stating that they foster growth and personal development among the campers. The staff employs a comfort zone model to encourage mental and cultural expansion, allowing campers to engage with new experiences that contribute to their overall development.

Although Sekaninova is enjoying her time at Camp Skimino and contributing to the unique cultural exchange, she indicates that she will likely not return next summer as she is set to embark on her professional career in civil engineering.