YMCA staff spotlight: Children’s Island Dir. Kasey Kennedy

BY BRIAN FLYNN, LVO YMCA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

When all campers, old and new, arrive on Children’s Island this summer they will be greeted by the familiar face of longtime Islander Kasey Kennedy. This summer will be Kennedy’s 18th year on the island and her ninth year as a staff member. Her love for Children’s Island started when she was just a little camper, then a teen leader, and after that a CIT (Counselor In Training). Kennedy also earned the coveted Ranger Red patch, a longtime island tradition recognizing a camper’s ability to understand the nature features of the island and the outdoorsman skills required to preserve its beauty.

A Swampscott native, Kennedy has been a Y member since she was 5 when she joined the YNS Sharks swim program where she competed through high school with legendary swim coach Sue Guertin. She was a member of the teen leaders

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program at the Y for several years and went on a service trip to Puerto Rico in 2015. She volunteered in the Y’s Special Olympics swim program, which inspired her to teach in the Y’s Water Wise swim program for children with Autism and other various disabilities. Kennedy has been leading the Water Wise swim program in Marblehead for the last two years.

Kennedy says, “Water Wise connects me with a variety of families across the North Shore community. The relationships myself and my staff have developed with the children in the program have allowed the families to feel comfortable and supported. The experience of this program is very mutual. The kids get an individualized experience with their staff members, and the staff gain important perspectives of people with different abilities. The smiles and small victories make this a cherished experience.”

Children’s Island summer camp, located on a 29-acre island one mile northeast of Marblehead, delivered an enriching, “unplugged” experience in nature. The island features beaches and a salt water pool, as well as an art barn, dedicated lodges for camp groups, a sports field, gaga pit and archery range.

“My philosophy as Island director is centered around a few things,” Kennedy explained. “Kids are our greatest natural resource. On the island we focus on providing our campers with an inclusive and safe space for them to feel comfortable enough to be themselves. I also believe that Children’s Island helps to develop empowered young adults, by practicing principles of respect and responsibility. It allows people to find their passions, foster meaningful relationships and develop important life skills to be successful in any capacity they see fit. As a matter of fact, for the last few years, many of the staff members on the island have been my former campers and it has been amazing to see them transform from young children to strong leaders who really want to make an impact in our community.”

There are still a few spots left for YMCA summer camp. Learn more at northshoreymca.org/programs/ lynchvan-otterloo-ymca-camps.