Kids help Girard seniors feel young

July 21, 2012 at 12:07a.m.

By Danny Restivo

GIRARD

The sound of laughter and the sight of energetic kids bring a smile to Shirley Martin and her friends at the Multi-Generational Center.

“They make us feel younger,” she said. “I just love it.”

Martin and her friends come to the center on weekday mornings to enjoy conversation over a morning cup of coffee. Next week, the center will be filled with young faces for Camp Fun, a two-week event hosted by the center.

The camp gives children an opportunity to learn, play, and enjoy summer, said administrative director Laura Carey-D’Rummo. She said the camp also allows local teenagers an opportunity to mentor youngsters as counselors.

Destiny Hall, 15, of Girard began participating in Camp Fun when she was 7. This summer is her first year as a camp counselor, and her time at the Girard Multi-Generational Center has allowed her to interact with older patrons.

“It’s really cool,” she said. “They have a lot of interesting stories from when they were young.”

Hall remembers playing kickball, learning crafts, and taking part in water-balloon fights as a camp attendee. As a counselor, she keeps kids busy with various planned activities and events. She also is teaching seniors how to use computers and the internet.

“Some of them don’t know how to use technology too well,” Hall said. The junior at Girard High School said the experience is helping her grow as a person by interacting with both younger and older people.

“It teaches me to have patience,” she said.

Older patrons believe the experience is good for all the young counselors.

“It’s important to give kids something to do and keep them out of trouble,” said Girard resident Evelyn Myers.

Carey-D’Rummo said a partnership with Trumbull County Job and Family Services allows Hall and others the paid opportunity to learn valuable skills.

“I think its important to have kids plan, organize and promote,” she said. “It’s important for them to have responsibility.”