From the summers of 2020 to 2024, I was a day camp counselor at JCC Apachi at the Northside branch in Chicago, Illinois. Here, I was responsible for 15+ incoming fourth-grade campers daily in our small groups, as well as 35+ campers during activity blocks. Additionally, I managed bus transportation for 20+ kids and 2 counselors to and from camp each day, leading to a better relationship with families and a higher retention rate (80% +) from summer to summer. Weekly, I was tasked with creating individualized schedules for campers based on their specialized needs and feedback.
Starting in 2021, I also led weekly off-campus field trips of 30+ campers and 10+ counselors. Starting in 2022, I assisted in week-long training sessions with 15+ staff members (including unit heads and specialists).
A big part of camp is spirit. I was nominated and chosen to be the team captain my first summer (85% chosen captains are returning staff), and took my team to third place! I also helped lead my campers to win the Cross-Town Classic, a camp-to-camp competition where we got first place for three years in a row.
In 2025, I was promoted to Assistant Unit Head for the Pioneer 4 Unit (incoming 4th graders). In this role, I helped manage 7 camp groups of incoming fourth graders, including over 75 campers and 20 counselors, ensuring smooth daily operations and a positive camp experience. I addressed day-to-day challenges by stepping in with camp groups, resolving camper and counselor issues, and providing support as needed. Additionally, I managed weekly field trips, ensuring safety, organization, and engagement.
I made sure to foster a welcoming, fun, and safe environment for both campers and staff, promoting team building and a positive atmosphere. I spent two weeks as Unit Head during the beginning and end of the summer, adding responsibilities of communication with parents, morning staff text briefs, and incident reports.
Sofia More 