Community Partner: Living Classrooms Foundation
Intern: Chijioke Oranye
Site Supervisors: Maritza Dominguez
What Living Classrooms Foundation?
Living Classrooms Foundation strengthens communities and inspires young
people to achieve their potential through hands‐on education and job
training, using urban, natural, and maritime resources.
This summer, I had the chance to serve as a camp counselor to the students of the local
Patterson Park middle school community under the Living Classrooms organization. I was
in charge of an after school soccer club, a cooking club, and giving a helping hand towards
the regular flow of summer school wherever help was needed. I remember my first day of
work; complete confusion…until one of the staff gave me advice on not how to look like
I’m not doing anything. Mr. Hubbard, a black young adult Baltimore native in his late
twenties, told me that in the working world it’s all about taking initiative. He told me that
working with kids is the same as working any other job, what you put in is what you get
out. He told me to start doing my own things that would allow me to focus on my
interests, grow a stronger relationship with the kids, and not allow my supervisor to
occupy me with busy work. I heard him…I’m not sure if I listened right from the start.
However, with the last week of my internship a day away, I can say that I’ve helped bring
heart and enthusiasm to the after school soccer club I run for the local middle school
youth. We started with 5 people, and now have expanded to 16, which excludes kids that
don’t show up on a daily basis. Last week I saw one of my students from my cooking club
making zucchini chips for lunch instead of eating the not so good box lunches provided by
Baltimore City. She used the Zucchinis grown in the camp garden and the same method in
which I taught them to make Zucchini fries. My biggest takeaway from the summer camp
is the role I play in reference to fostering maturity and character growth in the children.
At first I struggle to find specific ways to get more involved such as an impending dance
club or including dance sessions in the Saturday field days. But after failed attempts at
trying to show my commitment in ways that were passionate to me, but not necessarily
convenient with the schedule of the summer camp and staff, I realized that being there
every day with a helping hand to the staff and kids was enough to show my dedication
and appreciation for my role as the summer intern. ‐ Chijioke
Tasks:
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Coordinator of after school and Saturday Soccer club
Lead cooking club on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Point of contact for Saturday activities including field
days
Mentor for students during summer camp
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