Summer day camp starts next week and, as we prepare to welcome hundreds of smiling faces to the Y, we are excited to shine a spotlight on the C.W. Avery Family YMCA’s new Youth and Family Manager, James Wagner. James is a Plainfield native and will help lead summer day camp, summer specialty camp, and summer preschool camp activities at the Y this year. You can learn more about James in the Q&A below!
Q: How long have you been a member of the YMCA staff team?
I have been working in youth development for the last six years and have been involved with the Y’s Youth and Family team since 2022.
Q: Why do you have a passion for youth development work?
I love being able to help kids get involved in things that they have never had the opportunity to do and seeing that “wow” moment on their faces when they understand a new concept or accomplish a goal.
Q: What do you think makes YMCA summer camp a special experience for kids?
Summer camp at YMCA is special because the kids are introduced to a bunch of new activities and they get to meet kids from different schools that they would not normally interact with.
Q: With summer camp right around the corner, what are some of the most exciting activities you have planned?
I am an outdoorsy person and I love to fish. This year, we will be taking our sixth, seventh, and eighth grade campers to fish, so I am super excited for that!
Q: What are your favorite things to do outside of the Y?
I like to watch and coach sports. I currently assist with the Plainfield Rugby Team and I am the Head Coach for the Will County Morrigans Women’s Rugby Team.
Although registration for YMCA Summer Day Camp is closed at this time, families can still register for summer specialty camps, summer preschool camps, and summer sports camps!
