On this day the Harbor Explores had a field day. We brought out the parachute and played many games, all of which the students loved. As an instructor, it is my job to make sure my students are having the best time at camp and enjoy coming to camp. My experience as an instructor has been an eye-opener for me, with the new students we get every week, you learn how to be flexible and adjust yourself to the many different personalities and disabilities that our students have. Before this job, I wanted to experience working with students with disabilities and open my mind to new obstacles, and working with Piers Park I got to experience that.
During the short amount of time we have with our students, we try to teach them to take care of their community and ocean. We try to educate them on the importance of keeping our oceans clean and respecting the wildlife. With everything happening in our environment, it’s important to educate the future generation about many different techniques to keep our planet in good-shape.
With the weekly lessons we do, the students get very interested in what we are teaching them. Whatever our lesson was on that week, you can see them using it in the real work. For example, one week we did a lesson about recycling and the importance of keeping our oceans free of plastic. Once we reached the dock and started taking students kayaking, they wanted to help and clean the harbor. We supplied them with buckets to place on their kayaks to put the trash in and they would return with it fully filled. When we would walk around the park, and if they saw trash flying around, they would chase to throw it away. That was truly the best impact I have seen happen with our students.
My favorite part about working in Piers Park was the memories I had created with my co-workers. While working here, it does not feel like your average job. You come in and you’re greeted with a great view. You have the privilege to be able to go out in the harbor with Sonars. You also create a stronger bond with the kids, and throughout the years, you see them grow up and it is amazing. Piers Park does not feel like a job, instead it feels like home.
Currently in college, my goal is to become a school therapist for minorities. I feel like minorities have a hard time funding for resources to reach out and talk to people when they really need too. I also feel like we need more proper therapy in schools. My goal for work is to gain more experience with the children and be able to use that information to help me achieve my goal of becoming a therapist.
–Kayla Miranda Olmedo
