Staff in the Spotlight

Getting to Know Melanie Friz

Name: Melanie Friz

Where are you from: Los Angeles, CA

Years at I.S.: 1

Why did you decide to work at camp this summer?

I decided to work at the camp because I am passionate about working with children and camping is something I have loved doing since I was younger. I really wanted to step out of my comfort zone and learn about myself and others while working at this summer camp.

What are you looking to learn this summer from being a counselor?

I am looking forward to learning to coordinate others in a new environment while also learning about myself as a person and see how fast I am able to adapt in a new environment. Given this opportunity, I am excited to achieve different tasks with these children while also building relationships with them so that they learn to trusts me. 

How are you looking to impact your children this summer?

I want to impact these children by helping them learn to build relationships with others they may or may not know, I also want to help these children get out of there comfort zone by also participating in the activities with them so it encourages them more and so they gain confidence within themselves. 

How are you feeling about the summer? Nervous? Excited?

I am feeling excited to spend time with the children and be around other counselors on the camp site, however I am extremely nervous about traveling because I do not travel often and the one time I got onto a plane it was not the best experience, so I hope this time around will be better.

Tell us an interesting fact/story about yourself?

An interesting fact about me is that I go to a UC and I work for a program on my campus called Success Mentor Program, where I am a mentor for freshman, I am a part of the events committee as well as a peer instructor in a Undergrad Studies class.