Published on September 16, 2025
Did you love summer camp so much that you just never wanted to leave?
These former campers did the next best thing — they came back as camp counsellors!
This summer, these counsellors took some time away from their usual camp duties to reflect and write about their full-circle experience.
They share how their time as campers helped them connect with nature, what those experiences taught them about themselves, and why they’re now so motivated to help the next generation of kids form their own connections with the natural world.
Naomi Bailey (nature name: Monarch)
Camp at the Brick Works made it so much easier for me to connect with nature while living in the city.
I remember one summer I whittled a massive hiking stick. Not only did I learn how to carve it into a sharp point, but I also got to flex my creative muscles to make something I had never made before. I also remember how excited I was for the first day of camp each summer. I loved seeing how the Children’s Garden would change each year and find new ways to play and explore in the space.
Spending so much time in nature as a kid showed me how important it is to get outside. As an adult I love to go on hikes and go backcountry camping. I loved camp so much that becoming a counsellor just seemed like the most logical next step after volunteering.
It has been so nice to guide campers, see them grow, challenge themselves and show appreciation towards nature each summer I have worked at Evergreen Adventure Camp. Knowing how memorable camp was for me, I try to allow campers to try new things and explore off the beaten path. Allowing campers to lead the way on trails provides them with so much agency and allows them to connect with the space more deeply.
Maddox Couperthwaite (nature name: Stump)
Before coming to camp at Evergreen Brick Works, my backyard and the park across the street were always the most nature I knew. Once I started at camp, I was instantly introduced to a deeper level of knowledge and curiosity about the wildlife that surrounded me.
Not only did I learn how to make fire with flint and steel or how to use a knife to carve wood, but most importantly I learned how to be safe, adventurous and curious about the nature around me. And, by doing this in a social setting with new kids every week, I was able to boost my social skills, learning to make new friends in a very short amount of time.
As a kid, the idea of becoming a camp counsellor seemed so far away. All my favourite camp counsellors were always so upbeat and just seemed to bring the best vibe to camp every day. They always had a smile on their face. Deep down I knew I wanted to be that favourite camp counsellor when I grew up.
Now I want to give all my campers the same experience I was so lucky to have when I was their age. Every chance I can potentially spark some curiosity in my campers about what or why something is the way it is in nature, I will always take it.
Anisa Karimjee (nature name: Trout)
The Brick Works camp was definitely an escape for me — the ability to interact with animals and plants in the city changed the way I viewed the world around me. It helped me realize that as humans we aren’t separate from Earth even though it feels that way. Spiders no longer seemed like invaders in my house but instead a resident aiding in the function of our living space.
What stood out to me the most is how counsellors created space for me to choose to challenge myself. I was a very anxious kid, so I needed extra support and encouragement during risky play. Once, there was a big pile of mud that other campers were climbing. I was hesitant at first, but with my counsellor’s support I climbed it. I had so much fun and got so muddy. I remember feeling really proud of myself afterwards. Experiences like this at camp helped me build the confidence that I have today.
It was the energy of the staff team that convinced me to become a counsellor. I remember as a volunteer, feeling very welcomed in the space and thinking, “This is an amazing group of people, and I want to be a part of this.” I also wanted to give the memories that I had to my campers. Every time I engage in risky play with campers, I remember how important it was for me and hope it will be equally significant for them.
Henry Metcalfe (nature name: Stick)
I was a pretty chaotic kid! I had a lot of energy and was very loud (I still am today). My mom was always pushing me to be outdoors. She was always finding excuses to get me outside and learning new activities. Coming to this camp at the Brick Works, I was able to do all these activities here rather than wandering around my neighbourhood looking at trees.
Then I was able to say, that’s not just an ordinary tree; it’s a Sumac — we can eat it, it’s good in tea, but it has a twin sibling that’s poisonous to us. It really opened my eyes to a different side of the world. I’ve discovered that this is a side of life that I really want to stick with, and I’m now studying environmental studies in university.
I’ve loved being back at the Brick Works as a camp counsellor. I get to share the knowledge that I learned as a kid back to these campers who are here now. It’s also inspired me to possibly do some teaching later on in life, and hopefully if I do some teaching, it would be related to some of what I’ve learned here at Evergreen Brick Works.
There’s a real drive right now towards getting outside and using the space around us. At the start of camp, I had kids saying, “right now I would be at home playing on my Nintendo Switch.” Instead, they’re biking in the Don Valley, looking at all the trees and plants. That’s the best feeling.
Learn more
You may have noticed that each of our counsellors shared their nature name. Curious what those names mean and why we use them? Sign up for the Outdoor Classroom Newsletter to find out. You’ll get inspiring stories like this one, resources to help the kids in your life connect with nature and be the first to hear about programs like camps at the Brick Works.
