PARK NEWS

FIND A PARK

FIND AN ACTIVITY

ADMINISTRATION

Online Services

Our Government

News and Events

Maps, Facts & Stats

State & Federal

 

Meet the Staff Mike Bonneville grew up with Rec-PAC. He was a camper, counselor, site director and area supervisor for Rec-PAC before becoming the manager of this county-wide summer activity program in 2007. He didn't plan a Rec-PAC career; he was pushed in that direction by his goals -- to make a difference and to help kids in Fairfax County. Towards that end, Mike also worked with children with disabilities in the Arlington County public schools for seven years, with after-school programs and summer programs for emotionally disturbed children and at teen centers on Friday and Saturday nights. "Kids have been my passion," he explained. "Even more so now that I'm the parent of the most amazing son in the world! And the Rec-PAC program, its campers and staff are just an extension of my family." Born and raised in Fairfax County, Mike now lives in Centreville, Virginia, with his wife and four-year-old son. Your job as Rec-PAC's manager? I oversee 181 volunteers, 350 camp staffers, eight area supervisors, four office staffers and 3,000 kids a week. I make sure that our kids are in a safe environment, having fun while they learn and enjoy recreation. I love my job! I get paid for coming up with entertaining and creative things for kids to do and putting those ideas into action. It's like being a kid again. It keeps me young. There's a quote that explains it perfectly: "If you love your job, you will never work a day in your life." That is how I feel about my position with the Park Authority. I get the opportunity to work with some the best people in the county, all striving towards one propose -- to better the lives of the families in Fairfax County. What do kids learn in Rec-PAC? They learn that character counts. We've incorporated that national program, with its emphasis on the six pillars of character (citizenship, respect, trustworthiness, fairness, caring and responsibility). We get a diverse group of kids so we have an international week to give our campers a better understanding of different cultures. We do cooperative game playing to open their minds, and because kids need to be outside, we teach them active outdoor games that they can play in a group or on their own. They learn about fitness, too, through games and obstacle courses, and by eating healthy snacks and juice, not high calorie junk food and sodas. What are parents expect from Rec-PAC? Structured activities that are fun and new to kids. Professionalism on the part of staff. Staff that's responsive to and responsible for the safety and welfare of children. Your philosophy for managing Rec-PAC? When you work with children, you should be held to higher standards. Kids need positive examples; they deserve good role models. That's a priority for our counselors. Parents pay with their hard earned money for the program -- they should be given the best customer service and their children should be provided with the best quality care. Best thing about Rec-PAC? The staff, the children who attend and the parents of those children. Rec-PAC is a big family. Every child is treated with respect and care, and we try to open their minds to their own creativity. There's a lot of camaraderie. It is wonderful to see children trying new activities that they have never done before and excelling in them. I like to watch the staff work as a team to try new things. It's a great thing to see veteran staff helping new staff. Summer is the best time of the year! At Rec-PAC, kids get the opportunity to learn many new things and teach us new things as well. Annie Quigley went to Falls Church High School, where she starred on the field hockey, lacrosse and swimming teams, and lacrosse remained her game at Lynchburg College while she earned a degree in special education. She's now in her third year at West Potomac High School, where she teaches work skills to young people with disabilities, and she's in graduate school at George Mason University, studying school administration. Annie's association with Rec-Pac goes back to the days when she was a camper at Timberland Elementary School. As a staff member, she was originally hired as the summer activity program's site director for inclusion, providing support for kids with disabilities and training for their counselors. Next, she was a camp director for two years, and in 2008, Annie moved up to be one of Rec-Pac's four area supervisors. What did you learn as a Rec-Pac camper? Socialization skills and problem solving through playing organized games, mastering the playground's obstacle course and going to the pool with an army of neighborhood kids. Rec-Pac memory that makes you smile? They brought in a clown, and I thought it was the coolest thing ever. I had a huge fight with my mom when I got home because I didn't want to wash the paint off my face. Brightest moment as a Rec-Pac counselor? One of my children was autistic with limited communication skills. He was so happy and so engaged at camp that by the end of the summer, he was not only speaking in full sentences, it was hard to stop him from talking. Best thing about Rec-Pac? The kids just have fun. We allow them to simply have fun. There are no academic expectations, and all the kids are equal. Truth be told, I'm so looking forward to Rec-Pac opening. It's a wonderful summer job, and it's made me a better teacher. Kristen Smith was a three-sport athlete (soccer, volleyball and baseball) at Herndon High School, and with a four-year soccer scholarship, she went on to Radford University, where she earned a degree in education. She's now a fourth grade teacher at Forestville Elementary School, tutoring and coaching soccer on the side and completing a master's degree at the University of Virginia in the social foundations of education. A Rec-Pac camper as a child, Kristin joined the Rec-Pac staff nine years ago, starting out as a counselor, then becoming camp director at Clearview Elementary, where she once attended school. For the past four years, she's been an area supervisor for the summer activity program. What do kids gain from Rec-Pac? They learn how to work and play with other children in a leisure atmosphere. They learn team building skills and social skills. By working with kids of different ages, they learn to take leadership roles. What do you remember most from your days as a Rec-Pac camper? Arts and crafts, playing ping-pong and learning how to make friendship bracelets. And my counselors - I can still remember their names. Skills that you want in a counselor? Leadership and creativity. I want to make sure our counselors are good role models and team players who are excited about Rec-Pac activities. Your motto for life? Be happy! I'm always happy, no matter what. Even on a bad day, I look for something to smile about . . . and I always find it. Best thing about Rec-Pac? It's so much fun! It's enjoyable to see the kids with their friends, having the best time of their summer.