Whiz Kid of the Week: Sam Caramante

Whiz Kid’s Name: Sam Caramante

Whiz Kid’s School: Fitch High School

Whiz Kid’s Accomplishments: 

Sam Caramante works as a full-time counselor-in-training at the Camp Button and Sunshine programs at Groton Parks and Recreation.

He learned of the counselor training program years ago while attending camp.

“I always wanted to become a counselor,” said Caramante, who cites former-director Dan Danese as his inspiration. “You have to start somewhere. I want to [go] right up the pyramid [and] keep climbing.”

This is Caramante’s third year as a counselor-in-training. In preparing for the position, he underwent a number of certification courses, including first aid and child inclusion.

“The program itself trains kids who want to be counselors,” Caramante explained. “It’s almost a mentorship. I watch what [the counselors] do and see what I should do.”

He was also required to complete observation packets and keep a journal of camp experiences—a means of tracking his progress and recording useful techniques.

In this capacity, Caramante became particularly adept at working with special needs children.

“I want to be a special needs teacher, that’s definitely a calling,” he said. “I feel comfortable around special needs children. I’ve definitely learned how needs-kids act with other kids.”

While the training program is not required to become a counselor—counselors need only be the appropriate age—Caramante believes it will make him a more equipped, better counselor by the time he is promoted.

“It’s almost guaranteed [by] the experience itself,” he said. “I have three years of training and that’s more than the counselors I work with. I feel much more experienced than most people perceive me as—three summers is a long time.”

During his off-time, Caramante is learning American Sign Language to communicate with his special needs students.

“You have to learn the kids,” he said. “They’re in the program from five to twelve—that’s a range—so if you learn the kids as early as possible, you’ll work with them better.”

He believes consistency is another key to working with special needs students.

“If they change from camp to camp to camp every summer it’s just not going to work,” he said. “They need constant routine. Working with the same counselor every year helps them, it helps us, and it makes the program more successful.”

Key to his success: 

“I work hard,” he said. “I learn well. I observe.”

Best Advice: 

“This program is definitely worth it,” he said. “You learn a lot and have fun doing it [and] it helps you in the long run.”

Know a great kid who made Eagle Scout, or helped your local soccer team take the championship?

Submit your nomination in our comment box below or e-mail the information to Jessica.hilo@patch.com. Be sure to include all of the following information:

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