A Decade of Showing Up

For nearly 10 summers, camp has been a constant in Amanda’s life. What started with a simple invitation from friends turned into something she never expected: a community she would return to year after year.

“I came to a bring-a-friend volunteer session in Toronto and applied shortly after,” Amanda recalls. “I’ve been there ever since.”

Already working in the non-profit sector, Amanda understood the importance of community. But like many first-time volunteers, she arrived at camp feeling a mix of excitement and nerves.

Those nerves disappeared quickly.

“What stood out right away was the people,” she says. “Everyone was so welcoming.”

Amanda found herself falling in love with more than just camp songs, activities, and traditions. She saw the impact camp has on kids living with serious illness and the freedom they experience when they arrive.

“At camp, kids get to just be themselves,” she says. “There’s something really special about watching that happen.”

One of Amanda’s favourite parts of camp is that the same feeling extends to volunteers, too. In a world filled with notifications, to-do lists, and distractions, camp offers something rare: the chance to be fully present.

“It’s one of the only places where I can put my phone away and completely focus on the people around me,” she says.

When Amanda first started, she remembers seeing volunteers receive their five- and 10-year recognition pins. At the time, it felt like a far-away milestone.

As she approaches the 10-year mark, she’s glad she pushed herself to achieve the same. Looking back, she understands why so many volunteers return summer after summer: the friendships, campers, and how every little piece of camp has a way of staying with you long after a session ends. When asked what advice she would give someone thinking about volunteering for the first time, Amanda keeps it simple: “Just lean in and be yourself.”

Camp has taught Amanda the importance of showing up authentically, listening to what she needs, and finding balance. She urges fellow volunteers to make space for both the fear of missing out and the joy of missing out, knowing camp will always be there when they are ready to return. As Amanda approaches a decade of volunteering, her story reflects so much of what makes Campfire Circle special: connection and kindness.

In May, Amanda was awarded a Women of Distinction Award for the Guelph region. This award celebrates women whose leadership and community impact uplift and inspire the city. Congratulations to Amanda on being named a 2026 YMCA of Three Rivers Women of Distinction honouree, and thank you for nearly 10 years of helping campers, families, and volunteers feel they belong.

We are proud of you, Amanda!