“My journey here at the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA started when I was 3 years old with parent-child swim lessons. My father would bring me every Saturday for classes. I also have participated in Summer Camp since the age of 4. My employment started here when I was 15 as a swim instructor for lessons on Saturday mornings and during the summer. I then went on to become a camp counselor at the age of 16. My favorite part about working here is paying it forward. I always had a wonderful experience as a child here at the Y and now it is my job to pay it forward and give that same experience to the next generation. I also like to see children, who have grown up in my programs, come to work here at the Y to again pay it forward and give the next generation the same experience that I was able to give them. It is a constant cycle of rewarding experiences and memories that last a lifetime. My goal at the Y is to always make it easy for working parents to leave their children with us, knowing their children are safe and well cared for. While the Y has been closed I have actually been on maternity leave with my second child. It was a strange occurrence to all happen at once. I missed all the children and staff and I will be glad to see them back. I am excited that we will still have Summer Camp – it wouldn’t be the Y to me without Camp. Camp is where my heart is and will always be. I am excited to be a pioneer in this new world and to give children the opportunity to be with their friends once again. The Y has always been a safe place for children and this year is going to be no different. As we enter into this ‘new world’ for Camp, kids will still have the Best Summer Ever, it will just look a little different. We are taking every precaution to make sure that our campers are going to have a safe and enjoyable experience with our Y this summer!”