At the Y, summer is our Super Bowl—a season of high energy, big moments, and unforgettable memories for thousands of kids in our summer day camps. Today, we’re joined by two incredible youth development leaders: Ashley Baker from the Tull-Gwinnett Family YMCA and Aminata Lawton-Edwards from the Decatur Family YMCA. They’re not only shaping amazing camp experiences—they’re also listening closely to what families are telling us through surveys and using that feedback to make camp even better. We’ll talk about what makes Y day camp special, what we’re learning from families, and how that insight is helping us raise the bar each summer.

IN THIS EPISODE:   

• (00:00) Intro: We’re back! 

• (03:03) Summer camp is the Y's "Super Bowl"

• (06:48) Creating a "Disney World-like" camp experience

• (09:57) Importance of collecting family feedback

• (14:32) Using feedback to improve camp programs

• (18:32) Why parents should consider Y camp

• (22:08) How camp leaders stay motivated

• (24:54) The lasting impact of Y summer camps

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• Summer camp at the Y is likened to Disney World for many children, providing a magical experience that may be their main highlight of the year. This perspective encourages staff to create unforgettable memories and relationships, even if everything doesn't go perfectly.

• The Y's summer camp program focuses heavily on social-emotional learning, incorporating daily discussions on core values and group projects that tie into weekly themes. This approach helps children develop important life skills while having fun.

• Feedback from families is used to make real-time adjustments to the camp experience, with staff meetings addressing both positive shout-outs and areas for improvement. This responsive approach helps maintain high-quality programming and shows families their input is valued.

• The Y invests significant time and resources into preparing for summer camp, with planning and staff training occurring year-round. This dedication to preparation ensures a safe, engaging, and well-organized experience for campers.

• Camp counselors are given opportunities for professional growth, including learning to recognize when they need breaks and how to handle challenging situations. This focus on staff development contributes to a positive camp environment and helps young employees build valuable skills.

RESOURCE LINKS:

Facebook:  YMCA Metro Atlanta

LinkedIn: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Twitter: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Day Camp at Metro Atlanta YMCA

BIOGRAPHIES:

Ashley Baker began her career with the YMCA of Metro Atlanta as an after-school counselor in the fall of 2016. Working in a school-based after school program provided the opportunity to bring the Y to the community and the community to the Y.  Ashley worked in both the after school and day camp programs for several years, eventually becoming an After School Site Director in the fall of 2020. She has served as Youth Development Director at the JM Tull-Gwinnett YMCA since April of 2022. In January 2024, the role expanded to oversee both Youth Development and After School. For Ashley, the best part of her job is the privilege of seeing 6-year-old campers grow into 16-year-old counselors. When she is not working, Ashley enjoys being with her family, reading, college football, and Broadway shows. 

As an Atlanta native, Aminata Lawton-Edwards proudly embodies her roots and is passionate about the opportunity to give back to her community.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgia State University as well as a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education. She believes in the importance of addressing the needs of the whole-child academically, socially, emotionally and beyond. Her six years as a classroom teacher in the DeKalb County School District opened her eyes to the many challenges children face in their holistic development which encouraged her commitment to comprehensive program development. This led her to stepping out of the classroom and towards developing her own tutoring and coaching program for students of all ages.

Aminata's own experience as a child nurtured with the support of the Decatur Family Y through day camps and other youth programming paired with her extensive knowledge of supporting children and families strengthened her capacity to create enriching and engaging programs for diverse groups. Her goal is to ensure every child has a positive, rewarding experience and to have fun while doing it.

KEYWORDS: YMCA, YMCA, Metro Atlanta YMCA, Day Camp, Summer Camp, Campers, Day Campers, Youth Development, Camp Counselors, Role Models, social-emotional learning, staff development, youth development leaders, Tull-Gwinnett Family YMCA, Decatur Family YMCA, feedback, YMCA summer camp, camp activities, family feedback, staff motivation, safe spaces for children, community impact, camp themes, specialty camps, child growth, camp leadership, summer programming, outdoor activities, camp traditions, team building, conflict resolution, parent communication, camp safety, diverse abilities inclusion, camp planning, professional development, camp memories, social skills development