A Parent's Experience With Side By Side

By: Jan Potts, Parent

The Side by Side & Camp Jump Start programs  have been amazing experiences for my children.  Mike, who is now 17, has worked in the programs since 9th grade.  What started as a volunteer experience to "play" with kindergarteners and first graders changed his life.  Mike has learned how precious 5-6 year olds can be and how teaching them math, reading, and writing skills as well as being a role model can enrich his own life.

My younger son, Jeffrey, is the 3^rd boy in our family. He didn't have any experience with younger children and was not particularly interested in "babysitting." His eyes were opened to how endearing and needy these kids are and how glad they are to receive time and attention.  Camp Jump Start is 1^st on Jeffrey's priority list of activities for next summer.  Overall, my children learned the value of investing themselves in others and the powerful relationships that come from the Side by Side and Camp Jump Start programs.