It was the 25 of May 2005 at 10.00 pm on a dark night with the only light being the moon. Riding in the taxi as we were driving up Bear Creek Road felt like a rollercoaster. I had butterflies in my stomach; partly from the road and partly from thinking about a place I knew just as a camp for people with special needs. For me, coming to the USA was freedom from home life in Ireland and the opportunity to see the world. I hadn’t a clue how much of a big influence ‘Camp Krem’ would have on six years of my life. I also did not know that it would help me to make the hardest decision of my life: choosing my future profession of working with people with special needs.
I came here a boy in 2005 when I was 18 years of age and excited about the California sunshine, with not a care in the world about the future. Now six summers later in 2010 and not knowing if this is my last, I will walk out a man full of confidence because of Camp Krem.
From my first summer as a counselor who got the job done to my sixth summer as Male Counselor Coordinator, my goals, values and strengths have matured and life could not be better.
Working with the people we serve is truly eye opening. The ability that each and every one of them possesses is amazing. Over the course of six years I have gained little brothers and sisters in all the people I have worked with here. Watching them grow every year has been one of the best parts of my six summers. Knowing that I, in some small way, can have an impact in the life of each camper is what makes this job the best in the world.
-Padraig (Paddy) Hegarty Male Counselor Coordinator -
My son was one of Padraig's first year campers and we've grown together as a family ever since. Zach looks forward to seeing his friends and staff each year by lining up his sleeping bag, flashlight and pillow near the front door of our home several weeks in advance!!! Thank you Padraig and all the other "Kremlin" staff for making a difference in the lives of so many.
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