Are you curious about what it’s like to work for STEM Camp? Or maybe you’re a parent, wondering about who our STEM Camp counsellors and program coordinators are, what they are like and what is their experience at STEM Camp like?
When it comes to the full STEM Camp experience, Spencer Simpson can honestly say he’s seen it all.
Let’s dive into his story and learn how he went from camper to Program Coordinator and why he keeps coming back to STEM Camp as the place to be for his summer.
A Passion for STEM is Ignited
Spencer actually started his experience at STEM Camp as a camper, first attending STEM Camp in Chatham, at St. Andrew’s Church.
“I originally came from Rodney, Ontario but moved to Chatham when my dad got a job at St. Andrew’s Church, where, as it turns out, STEM Camp had a location. He put me in STEM Camp because it was good to get to know kids my age,” Spencer says. “The week I went to was Minecraft week, which was great because I loved Minecraft.”
Even though Spencer’s first experience at STEM Camp was almost a decade ago, the friendly faces, friendships and activities they did created a lasting impression.
“Some of the activities that I remember included making a gigantic paper airplane and we actually had two professional people in the field of mining and drilling come to visit. They discussed what real drilling looks like and the actual layers of the Earth,” he says.
A Career Pathway in STEM: From Camper, to Volunteer, to STEM Camp Staff Member
After experiencing STEM Camp as a camper, Spencer couldn’t wait to go back to STEM Camp again as an opportunity to earn his high school volunteer hours, as part of the Counsellor in Training (CIT) program.
“I would go and work 8-5pm,” Spencer recalls. “Quin and Ally (who I knew from STEM Camp previously) were working there, then I ran into Joya, one of my favourite counsellors again. It was really good to build that community.”
STEM Camp Offers Networking, Community, and Practical Experience for Life
Spencer’s volunteer experience cemented his desire to work at STEM Camp. “I decided that I wanted to work at STEM Camp,” he says. “I knew the people. I knew the building. So the next year, I applied and I got the job, which was amazing!”
Over the course of his time with STEM Camp, Spencer worked at the Chatham St. Andrew’s and Sprucedale location, before moving on to work at STEM Camp Richmond Hill during his summer break for his post secondary studies in Theatre at York University.
The Joy of Working with Curious Kids Cannot Be Undersold
What keeps Spencer coming back to STEM Camp year after year is more than the friendships and fellowship he shares with his colleagues, it’s the campers too.
“The kids are just a riot every single year. It’s honestly been such a joy,” he says about the kids who keep him on his toes, and astound him with their curiosity and knowledge.
“The kids are also S-M-A-R-T. I’m genuinely shocked by the knowledge that some kids have. [Recently, I spoke to] a 5-year-old who knew what sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) was. That was insanely awesome. That love of science is right there.”
Bringing Entertainment, Joy and a Love of STEM to the Next Generation
As a leader, Spencer loves calling on inspiration from some of his favourite STEM Camp counsellors, and the famously friendly and entertaining Bill Nye, the Science Guy too.
“I grew up watching Bill Nye and The Magic School Bus – shows that teach kids to be excited about the world around us,” he explains, sharing that he loves the excitement that builds after campers get over their first-day-of-camp-nerves.
“When the campers know us and know what they’re in for… Oh my! The smiles on their faces when they come in and when they leave.
“The whole reason I’m doing theatre [at York] is because I love getting audiences to cheer and audiences happy. Working at STEM Camp, I get to spread joy for 7 hours a day.”
Advice for Those Considering Working for STEM Camp
When asked what keeps him coming back year-after-year, Spencer’s answer is clear and simple.
“It’s fun! That’s the main thing,” he says, adding “You definitely also have fun stories to share afterwards about how each activity went, including the ones that didn’t work in the slightest!”
He adds that STEM Camp isn’t just an amazing place to learn about how the world works, it’s also a great place to learn how that failure isn’t a ‘bad thing,’ but an opportunity to learn. It’s all part of STEM Camp’s inquiry-based learning approach.
Spencer’s stories about STEM Camp are full of examples of learning to pivot and embrace all outcomes as an adventure. “It’s a lot of on the job learning,” he shares.
STEM Camp is Full of Lifelong Rewards for Staff and Campers Alike
“Opening kids’ eyes to the universe in small ways is the most fun and the biggest responsibility of camp counsellors,” says Spencer. “We are teaching them real STEM. Helping them figure out “how does the world around us work?
“If you change the way of seeing things, every field of science is exciting.
“Some people will say math is boring and ask why are we multiplying these two numbers together? Because what if we solve black holes? Or learn how to travel the speed of light? That’s what math is.”
According to Spencer, STEM Camp opens up a camper’s world to a different pace of living and exploring. One without constant bright lights, exciting explosions on television and in video games, helps to open up camper’s creativity.
“You can call it boring but boredom is good! That’s such a good thing to be, because not having stimulus 24/7 allows you the time and space to be creative and curious.
“We need more people to have that curiosity in the world,” says Spencer.
Are You Curious About STEM Camp?
Whether you’re interested in an awesome summer job, or experiencing camp as a camper, we’ve got you!
Explore employment at STEM Camp, including position descriptions and information on applying.
Learn about this year’s camp themes and find a STEM Camp location near you.
