Camp Barrett — it’s a family affair

On a typical morning, about 300 children, teens and adults are scattered throughout Barrett Park, home to Valley Stream’s summer camp. But there’s far fewer last names, as many sets of siblings go there together as campers, or work there together as counselors. And, in a few cases, there’s one of each in a family.

There is little turnover among the staff, made up mostly of high school and college students, each year. Counselors enjoy the atmosphere of the six-week summer camp and look forward to coming back when school ends. Many recommend the job to their younger siblings.

Here are some of the siblings spending their summer together at the park:

The Scallons, campers

Kyle, 9, fourth-grader at Ogden Elementary School
Patrick, 7, second-grader at Ogden Elementary School
Cormac, 5, first-grader at Franklin Early Childhood Center

Kyle, the oldest Scallon brother, has been coming to the camp since he started kindergarten. This is the second year in a row the three boys have been attending Barrett Park together.

The Roters, counselors

Michelle, 20, junior at Binghamton University
Adam, 17, senior at Hewlett High School

Adam is in his fourth year working at the camp and is an assistant counselor. He oversees a group of fifth- and sixth-grade boys, Angry Birds. He said he started out as a volunteer junior counselor before ninth grade, then applied for a job on the paid staff. “I had a great time, so I decided to stay,” he said.

Michelle is a head counselor with a kindergarten boys and girls group, Doras and Diegos. She said the two see don’t see each other too often at the camp, maybe once or twice a day. All their campers know they are brother and sister, and will always point one out to the other. “I think our campers get more excited than we do,” she said about working together.

The Rodriguez twins, counselors

Nicole and Melissa, 15, 10th graders at South High School

They were born together, started school together, and now they are working together at Barrett Park. In their first year at the camp, Nicole and Melissa Rodriguez are volunteer junior counselors with the Selena Gomez group, third- and fourth-grade girls.

The two also came to the summer camp for a year when they were in second grade. They say they were each looking for volunteer opportunities this summer, and found Barrett Park. Their campers think it’s pretty cool that they are twins.

The Ortiz brothers, campers

Edwin, 10, fifth-grader at Holy Name of Mary School
Nicholas, 9, fourth-grader at Holy Name of Mary

Although the two have been coming to camp together for several years, this is their first time actually in the same group. The like to see their friends, play dodgeball and kickball, and run through the obstacle course. For the Ortiz brothers, the more time they get to be with each other, the better. “We get to hang out together,” Nicholas said.

The Davis siblings, counselors

Christine, 21, recent graduate of SUNY Old Westbury
William, 17, freshman at St. Michael’s College

Christine is the head counselor for the Selena Gomez group of third- and fourth-grade girls. This is her fifth year working at the camp.

William is in his second year working there, and is an assistant counselor with Doras and Diegos, a co-ed kindergarten group. He started working there at the recommendation of his sister. “She said it was a good job,” he said, “and it’s fun to work with the kids.”

Though they don’t see much of each other at Barrett Park, when they get home they talk about their days went, and the funny things that happened at camp.

The Brunos, counselor and camper

David, 15, entering 10th grade at South High School
Zachary, 12, recently graduated from the Buck School

This is David’s first year working at the camp as a volunteer junior counselor, but he came as a camper for a few years when he was younger. David works with a third and fourth grade group of boys, the Knicks. “I’m good with kids and I enjoying playing sports,” he said.

Zachary, who will see his brother regularly at South High next year when he starts seventh grade, said he enjoys having his other brother around at camp. “He’s nice and he watchers over me, too,” he said.

The Torres sisters, counselor and camper

Amanda, 17, senior at South High School
Rebecca, 9, fourth-grader at Brooklyn Avenue School

Rebecca is attending Barrett Park as a camper for the fourth time. For Amanda, this is her third year working at the camp and is an assistant counselor with a fifth- and sixth-grade girls group, One Direction.

Amanda said she wishes she could see Rebecca a little more throughout the day. “I love my little sister,” she said.

The Roberts sisters, counselors

Lauren, 21, senior at Dowling College
Kristen, 18, sophomore at Buffalo State College

Lauren and Kristen have been coming to Barrett Park together for a long time, first as campers, and now as staff members.

This is Kristen’s fourth summer working at the camp, and she is the head counselor for a group of pre-K boys and girls, Fresh Beat Band. Lauren is in charge of another pre-K group, Bubble Guppies, and is working there for the fourth time.
“It brings us a lot closer,” Kristen said, “especially since we don’t get to see each other during the year.”

The sisters come to work together each day. Lauren, who wants to be a teacher, said she remembers looking up to her counselors when she was a child at the camp.

The Condes, campers

Alex, 9, fifth-grader at Holy Name of Mary School
Sophia and Soraya, 6, first-graders at Holy Name of Mary

This is the first year coming to camp for the three Conde siblings. They say they like the games they play every day, as well as the various field trips they get to take. Alex said he enjoys having his younger sisters around and makes sure to look out for them.