Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse
Title: Summers at Smith: An Eight-Week Camp
Student Interns:
Sami Oueis
University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine
Daja Wilson
University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing
Academic Preceptor:
Dalmacio Dennis Flores, PhD, ACRN, FAAN
University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing
Abby Quinn Peterson, DMD, MPH
University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine
Elizabeth Powell, DDS, MPH
University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine
Community Preceptor:
Frances D. Hoover
Executive Director, Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse
Community Site:
Smith Memorial Playhouse, located in East Fairmount Park, is an integral part of the Philadelphia community, having opened in 1899 for the sole purpose of providing unrestricted play opportunities to the children of Philadelphia. A pioneer of the playground movement in the United States, Smith is designed with the development and growth of children in mind.
Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps student interns assisted at the Summers at Smith Camp. They were involved in all aspects of the camp, from working with city contractors and taking delivery of food to creating educational programs. As camp counselors, the interns accompanied the campers throughout the day and participated with them in nature, sports, and art activities while maintaining responsibility for their well-being. In addition to all the activities and educational programs, the interns also used their expertise in cardiovascular disease and oral health to create a health day full of interactive activities and lessons for the campers.
Reflections
“I found my time working as a camp counselor for Smith Memorial Playhouse a rewarding and enriching experience, for both myself and the campers. Observing the impact and importance of an institution like Smith and having the opportunity to be involved in building something long-lasting was an extremely fulfilling way to experience Bridging the Gaps. Working with campers from different backgrounds, I learned how important a child’s upbringing is in shaping their future. Learning how to navigate different personalities and fine-tuning my interactions with each camper instilled valuable lessons that I plan to utilize with my adolescent patients in the future.”
Sami Oueis
“Being an intern at the Smith Memorial Playground was incredibly rewarding. I truly enjoyed providing the campers with engaging activities designed to prevent the summer slide. Each child had such a unique personality, and having one-on-one conversations with them quickly became my favorite part of the experience. I developed valuable skills, especially in communication and conflict resolution with children, that I know will be essential in my future career as a nurse.”
Daja Wilson