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News & Photos
Summer Jobs = LifeReady
Each summer, a strong contingent of McDonogh upper schoolers trade their school uniform for one featuring neon orange and fluorescent green t-shirts, signifying their roles as camp counselors and members of the Work Crew. From moving furniture and assisting with light construction to leading relay races and tie-dye sessions, these students play a vital role in keeping summer operations running smoothly. And while the paycheck is a plus, these long-standing roles offer something even more valuable: meaningful, real-world skills and experiences that stay with them long after summer ends.
“Summer jobs have always been good for teenagers—that was true when I was 14, and it's true today,” says Director of LifeReady Kevin J. Costa, Ph.D. He explains that just like during the school year, students continue to develop essential LifeReady skills—creative and critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and self-awareness—through summer work experiences.
“When students have a summer job on Work Crew, as a camp counselor, or at Chick-fil-A or Wegmans, they are working their LifeReady muscles,” Costa adds.
Upper School Performing Arts Teacher Don New, who mentored the summer Work Crew for 20 years, says, “Sometimes I feel it’s one of the most meaningful things we teach students here. I’ve always said that when they become CEOs one day, they’ll have a better understanding of the workers whose backs those companies are built on.”
Director of McDonogh Summer Camps Ramzi Sifri estimates that between the traditional day camps and sports camps, he employs almost 100 McDonogh upper schoolers, as well as alumni, and students from other area schools. This summer’s Work Crew, led by Lower School teacher Jake Trout, includes about a dozen boys and girls who take on daily assignments in maintenance and groundskeeping.
New says in addition to learning practical skills, students on the Work Crew develop a strong work ethic. “They show up, learn to be reliable, and take real pride in seeing a job through.” He adds, “They come to appreciate the essential, often unseen work that keeps an organization running, and they develop a connection to the campus that goes beyond just using the spaces.”
He continues, “Work Crew is, and I hope will continue to be, where responsibility, teamwork, personal growth, and joy intersect."
Each summer, a strong contingent of McDonogh upper schoolers trade their school uniform for one featuring neon orange and fluorescent green t-shirts, signifying their roles as camp counselors and members of the Work Crew. From moving furniture and assisting with light construction to leading relay races and tie-dye sessions, these students play a vital role in keeping summer operations running smoothly. And while the paycheck is a plus, these long-standing roles offer something even more valuable: meaningful, real-world skills and experiences that stay with them long after summer ends.
“Summer jobs have always been good for teenagers—that was true when I was 14, and it's true today,” says Director of LifeReady Kevin J. Costa, Ph.D. He explains that just like during the school year, students continue to develop essential LifeReady skills—creative and critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and self-awareness—through summer work experiences.
“When students have a summer job on Work Crew, as a camp counselor, or at Chick-fil-A or Wegmans, they are working their LifeReady muscles,” Costa adds.
Upper School Performing Arts Teacher Don New, who mentored the summer Work Crew for 20 years, says, “Sometimes I feel it’s one of the most meaningful things we teach students here. I’ve always said that when they become CEOs one day, they’ll have a better understanding of the workers whose backs those companies are built on.”
Director of McDonogh Summer Camps Ramzi Sifri estimates that between the traditional day camps and sports camps, he employs almost 100 McDonogh upper schoolers, as well as alumni, and students from other area schools. This summer’s Work Crew, led by Lower School teacher Jake Trout, includes about a dozen boys and girls who take on daily assignments in maintenance and groundskeeping.
New says in addition to learning practical skills, students on the Work Crew develop a strong work ethic. “They show up, learn to be reliable, and take real pride in seeing a job through.” He adds, “They come to appreciate the essential, often unseen work that keeps an organization running, and they develop a connection to the campus that goes beyond just using the spaces.”
He continues, “Work Crew is, and I hope will continue to be, where responsibility, teamwork, personal growth, and joy intersect."