In honor of AmeriCorps Week, we are pleased to provide an update on one of our best AmeriCorps graduates, Tom Cramer. Tom served a year with Playworks during the 2012-13 school year at Allen-Field Elementary School. See what he has to say about his most recent endeavors and how Playworks influenced his career.
What is your current position?
I am the Summer Camp Director at YMCA Camp Minikani in Hubertus, Wisconsin.
How did Playworks influence your current position?
Playworks influenced me so much! Most importantly, it brought me back to the roots of the importance of play. There are so many areas where I’ve incorporated that philosophy into our Summer Camp and Leadership Training programing. I am also reminded, thanks to Playworks, about the natural learning and development that can grow out of well-facilitated play. It has also influenced me to play four-square every single day with campers during the summer.
What is something that you learned as an AmeriCorps member that has helped you be successful?
Americorps taught me about the importance of community, especially in regards to service. Our deeds are exponentially more powerful when done together.
Please share any goals you have for your future.
My goals are to continue my work in this awesome field of youth development. I’d like to stay in camping for a while, and then hopefully return to work with public schools. My ongoing goals are to learn and play every day.
