Rebuttal to a Wrong Doing

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I know I'm not completely off the hook; there's always something I could've done differently. But the coldness of the situation really gets to me. After all the time I spent volunteering, getting brushed off hurts. I never got paid; I did it because I cared and was committed. I even took unpaid leave from work, giving up time and money because I believed in what we were doing for the kids.

I poured not just my resources but also my heart into this project. This place means a lot to me—I was a camper there when it first opened, and I wanted my kids to have that same experience. The memories I made at camp are unforgettable, filled with laughter, friendship, and adventure. Volunteering felt like my way of giving back to a place that gave me so much happiness and a sense of belonging.

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BSN Volunteer Assignment

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Four years ago, when I was doing my bachelor's in nursing, I needed to find a volunteer project. It was tough to find the right place because of all the rules and everything being booked up, but then I stumbled upon a place from my childhood that brought back memories. I was thrilled and managed to snag a spot for the third week of summer.

The whole experience was incredible and really changed me. Despite the challenges, like handling super energetic kids, seeing them try new things was so rewarding. Their smiles made it all worth it.

Connecting with everyone was a big deal—not just with my own group but with all the kids at the camp.

Over the years, I got to know the kids who came back, and I built strong bonds with them and the other counselors. These friendships were built on trust and shared experiences, creating some really special memories.

Looking back, volunteering was all about being part of a community that encouraged growth and resilience. Getting a cold goodbye after all my hard work felt like a slap in the face. This experience made me rethink what volunteering is all about and how important it is to appreciate those who give their time to help others.

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I Spent Five Total Summers There

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I spent five summers at camp, racking up a total of eight weeks, with one of those as a camper. But honestly, the whole experience was more than just those weeks. It was all about the excitement leading up to it—counting down the days, packing my stuff, and looking forward to seeing my friends again. Coming back home was like starting a new chapter, filled with awesome memories and friendships that kept popping up in my mind long after camp was over.

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Change of Plans

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I initially planned to hang out for just a week, but the place was so awesome that I ended up staying for two weeks. They had a great crew—a volunteer doctor and three nurses—making sure everyone was healthy and safe. One Saturday really stuck with me: after the third week's campers left and we were getting ready for the next batch, our doctor tested positive for COVID and had to leave. It was a bit of a curveball, but I stepped up, and with the help of the three nurses, we handled things just fine without a doctor on-site. Luckily, the doctor set for week three trusted us and was on call for prescriptions if needed. With some teamwork and creativity, we kept everything under control.

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Sign Me Up

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I had such a blast at camp that I couldn't wait to sign up for another two weeks the next year. The lively camp vibe was a refreshing change from my job in the ER, where my nursing skills really came in handy. Switching from a clinical nurse to a camp nurse was a breeze because both roles needed quick thinking, adaptability, and a love for helping people.

During my second year, I dove in even deeper, staying for two weeks and making strong connections with campers and colleagues, which led to unforgettable memories. But by the third year, things at camp shifted, bringing challenges that really tested our resilience and dedication to the mission we loved.

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Here's some context to help explain the situation...

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I've got four kids, each with their own set of challenges and joys. My oldest, who just turned 16, really stands out because he's been dealing with some serious behavioral issues since he was about 5 or 6. He's been through all sorts of treatment centers and therapy, working hard on his anger management, even though it's been tough. His past has definitely left its mark on him, both in ways you can see and in ways you can't.

As a family, we've done everything we can to support him. Lately, we've started seeing some positive changes, which gives us hope. We wanted him to have the chance to enjoy things like summer camp and make his own memories. Sending him to camp was a big decision and we were pretty uncertain about it, but we knew it was important to see how he could do in a typical setting.

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Week One, Year “Four”

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During the first week at camp, my son had a few moments that really tested my patience and emotional stability. I was constantly worried about how his behavior might reflect on us. Even though I'm his parent, I realized I couldn't control everything he did. The camp staff often came to me for advice instead of his dad, which added to my stress. I leaned on the other medical staff to help with issues he faced, as he had a hard time adjusting and only managed to stay for one week instead of two. I didn't always handle things perfectly, but I did my best to support him. It's tough to stay calm when reality throws you off balance.

I don't remember every detail from that week, but the main moments stick out: feeling hopeful, then frustrated, being happy when things went well, and anxious when they didn't. He wasn't allowed to stay for the second week, so my husband came to pick him up.

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Only One Week Now

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After those two weeks, I got a notification saying the program wouldn't be taking in new participants for another two weeks. The organizers decided to pause for two weeks to give those on the waitlist a chance to join in. This meant I had to pick which week I'd return, and after thinking it over, I chose week 3. Both weeks had their own challenges, but week 3 just felt right to me, and I connected with it more.

Meanwhile, two of my kids were signed up for a three-week teen camp, and my oldest and youngest were joining in for just one week with me. Our family's schedule was pretty hectic, but I thought this setup would be a great way for us to bond. However, the events that followed would really put our family's resilience to the test.

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Day TWO

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On the first Tuesday of the week, while I was busy at the clinic, there was an unexpected knock on the door. To my surprise, two staff members walked in with my boys. Apparently, they had gotten into a fight. The staff said since they were brothers and I was around, they'd just give them a warning instead of a harsher punishment, so we could move on. Of course, I was worried and stressed. Who wouldn't be in that situation? My kids' actions felt like they reflected on me as a parent, and I really felt the weight of that responsibility.

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Day THREE

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The next day, I got a worrying call about my youngest son being in trouble at camp and needing to come home. It was just the third day of a three-week camp, and I was stunned. My usually well-behaved son was about to get kicked out, which seemed so out of character for him.

In the middle of all the chaos, I managed to find some time to cry for three hours. They told me to pick him up from his cabin, where he was waiting with his stuff. A coworker offered to help, but I was feeling nervous. Hearing my son cry was heartbreaking, and we both ended up crying separately for another half hour. I knew I needed to pull myself together before talking to him.

His dad was on the way, dealing with a long drive and a $22 toll. I chatted with my son to hear his side of the story, but something just didn’t add up. I was determined to figure out what was really going on.

At the camp office, I talked to his counselor and the teen program staff, but it didn’t really clear things up. One staff member called us into her office, and I felt both intimidated and unfairly blamed. I tried hard to stay calm.

It became clear that while my son wasn’t completely innocent, he didn’t deserve to be sent home so quickly. My heart ached for him and the money we’d spent on camp. I was determined to stand up for him and make sure he got a fair chance to learn and grow from this experience.

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Termination Email

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Let's go over this again: in the email about me getting fired, they said I was always bringing my personal stuff to work. Honestly, I didn’t think I was. I really tried to keep that from happening, but it just didn’t work out. I was going through a rough patch, dealing with a lot of personal issues that I thought I had under control. But apparently, my bosses didn’t see it that way. I always prided myself on keeping my work and personal life separate, but I guess the stress I was under might have accidentally affected how I interacted with everyone at work. This misunderstanding got me fired, which I think is pretty unfair, considering how much effort I put into making sure my personal life didn’t mess with my job.

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Second Chance

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Luckily for my son, they realized their mistakes and gave him another shot, which I was all for. I knew it was the break he needed, and he totally made the most of it. Everyone deserves a second chance to show what they can do, especially when they're ready to learn from past slip-ups. I told him to grab this opportunity with determination. Later, a camp leader mentioned how happy they were that my son stuck around; he was amazing and a joy to be with. Hearing that made me proud and relieved, knowing he had become a valued part of the camp community. Seeing photos full of joy and friendship warmed my heart, reminding me of his resilience. I know I made the right call by backing him. Emotions can sometimes cloud our judgment, but what matters is how we learn and grow from these experiences.

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Notes

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I jotted down a note to say sorry and thank the two folks who let my son stay over. I really appreciated how they understood the situation and were willing to give him another shot. I owned up to both his actions and mine, which was a big step in moving forward. I was super grateful for their forgiveness and felt sure he wouldn't mess up again. This whole experience showed me how important it is to forgive, understand, and give second chances for personal growth. I truly believe that kindness and compassion help us learn and grow

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Drained

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The day was super intense, leaving me totally drained both mentally and physically, with anxiety still hanging around. It took a while to bounce back, and the next day I was pretty quiet, worried about getting more bad news from coworkers. I didn’t even notice my mood was obvious until my coworkers checked in on me. This led to a deep chat where we all opened up about our feelings. By my last day, I was back to my usual cheerful self, lifted up by my colleagues’ support and realizing that we could get through tough times together.

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Known Horrible System

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I got let go partly because I messed up on the Medication Administration Records (MARs), which was a common problem because of the messed-up system we had. With all the pressure, mistakes happened a lot. In the 4th week of year 3, the doctor messed up a quarter of the MARs, which caused a lot of chaos and meant we had to redo them. We ended up working late to sort out the mistakes, knowing that in those conditions, errors were bound to happen. We often talked about how flawed the system was, but we focused on doing our best to keep the kids safe and healthy. I always put my all into the job.

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Treated Like a Child

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Last year, the director didn't treat me well, especially after complaints about my son came up. I got called into his office with the head of the medical program and the assistant director. He brought up complaints about my behavior, like when a kid thought I was mean for telling him to wear sunblock. The director said it wasn't my job as a nurse to give that kind of advice, which was weird since I'm supposed to look after the kids' health. That same kid got into trouble and left camp early, making me wonder about the communication and support we had.

I also got criticized for not paying enough attention when a child got hurt, which left me feeling confused and frustrated. The director never asked for my side of the story and just listened to others, which was really disappointing.

Despite these problems, I loved moments like buying ice pops for the camp, a tradition that always brought smiles. On a day when I was handing out ice pops, a kid cut his foot while swimming. The lifeguard took care of it, and I helped by cleaning the area. Later, I made sure the wound was treated right and suggested the kid go to the clinic. Even though I did my part, the lifeguard accused me of not doing my job, which was frustrating since she had an important role too.

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A Vacation?

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While we were talking, he mentioned that he and some others thought I was just "on vacation" and didn't really want to be there. That comment really surprised and confused me because it couldn't be more wrong. I was fully committed to my role and responsibilities at the camp, putting in my time and energy to ensure the kids had a safe and fun experience. Being seen as uninterested or disengaged was not only hurtful but also the total opposite of what I was actually doing and aiming for.

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Questions?

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Before I left, he asked if I had any questions about his feedback. I tried to keep it together, but inside I was really disappointed and confused. Feeling all sorts of emotions, I left the building and started crying, and I couldn't stop for hours. I was so upset that I ended up skipping dinner and the evening program, wondering about what I did and if I even belonged in the camp community.

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In Conclusion

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This place has been a mix of joy and heartache for me. It's been both a safe haven and a source of pain. I've got awesome memories filled with laughter, but there have also been some tough moments that really stuck with me. Getting let go was a big blow, making me question my place and what I contribute. Still, the amazing memories and the wonderful people at the YMCA camp remind me just how special it is. It’s tough to accept being let go after putting in so much, but the experiences with my kids, especially the bond with my oldest son, are priceless. This camp has transformed him and deeply impacted our family, bringing us closer and enriching our lives. It truly reflects the YMCA’s values: family, love, connection, and bonding. I’m determined to fight for this experience to keep going for my kids and future generations because I believe in the camp’s mission and its positive impact. I hope to keep volunteering as a nurse because being part of this community is so important to me and my family. We’d all really appreciate your consideration in letting me stay part of this incredible family that benefits from the camp’s love and support.