July 2023 MVP: Hannah Bolt-Henry

Hannah Bolt-Henry has been selected as our July Most Valuable Participant for the positive impact she is having as a special needs camp counselor and her recent promotion to head counselor!

We love having Hannah as part of our team! She has been promoted to Head Counselor. Now, she not only impacts our campers' experience but is helping to support all of our cabin staff as well. Hannah is team oriented, hard working, and dedicated to the mission of camp. She loves learning and is a valuable part of the family. We can't wait to see her grow more and more at camp. - Lynn, Camp Director at The Fowler Center for Outdoor Learning

This is your second time at camp, so how is this year’s experience different from last years’ experience?

This year's experience has been excellent. This had a great impact on me both culturally and personally. I had acquired so much knowledge and experience during training which enlightened me to be more aware and acknowledge persons with disability, especially autism, and the way how we as humans treat and misjudge these individuals. I had learned to be more patient, and value society as a noble environment where each person is special and unique in their own way. This year is more rewarding for me than last year because I arrived on the latter path of July so I had missed most of my training. As a mother with a child with autism, this cultural experience has prepared me physically,  emotionally, and academically when I return to Jamaica to enhance this experience both in my institution as well as with parents who have children with autism.

What is your advice for any participants considering doing a camp counselor program?

A camp counselor gives individuals an opportunity to experience and to know themselves. Being in America gives them the experience to have friends from different countries. I will advise participants to learn whatever experience they can use the opportunity as a learning or teaching experience. What you are doing is doing your best at the task you are given, bear in mind that communication is the key. 

How have you grown personally from this program experience?

I have tremendously grown and I have gained so much knowledge and experience to enlighten me to be more responsive and be a valuable asset when I return home sharing what I have both learned and experienced also utilizing the training and skills with children or people who have a loved ones who has a disability. This has assisted me to make a decision to write my master's degree in special and with God's blessing and a Doctoral in education specialist.

What are you future career plans?

To establish a special education institution in Jamaica.

Why do you think cultural exchange programs are important?

The cultural exchange program is a very important opportunity because this enables people to gain international experience and have the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. tour the famous sightseeing places both historical and famous also where they learn about different cultures, eat food and have new friends.