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Shooting for the Stars

8/25/09

Aggie counselor finds true calling through experiences with the Youth Adventure Program

At a summer camp for teenagers trying to discover what they want to be when they grow up, an Aggie counselor finds his true calling in life.

A meteorology major with a minor in mathematics, Andrew Martinez never considered studying education during his undergraduate career. When a friend recommended that he take a student worker position in the Department of Educational Psychology in the
College of Education and Human Development, he was given the opportunity to serve as a camp counselor for the Youth Adventure Program (YAP).

"YAP is a series of one-week courses held during the summer for gifted and talented students in junior high and high school and is designed to encourage career exploration," says Jay Woodward, director of YAP.

As a YAP counselor, Andrew was the first contact many of these students had to Texas A&M University. In addition to learning what it is like to be an Aggie, students are able to take courses such as law, veterinary medicine, architecture and business. The camp also incorporates team-building activities into its program, including sports at the rec center and an end-of-camp dance.

"I have always enjoyed working with kids, but seeing how kids interact with each other and how they are different really interested me," Andrew says. "I became very curious about the interactions between my campers."

This past summer marked Andrew's fourth season as a YAP counselor. He admits that it isn't just the fun experiences with the campers that keep him coming back each year, but the relationships he has created with them.

"The kids I counseled my first summer had an amazing impact on me. They made me realize that I was meant to work with kids," Andrew says. "There really is not one certain experience that I could call my favorite. They have all been great."

The experiences at YAP led Andrew to enroll in graduate studies in the school psychology program. After graduation, he intends on working as a school psychologist while continuing research in his field.

However, his future goals still embrace his past experiences at YAP.

"I know for sure that I want to run a camp similar to YAP or at least be actively involved in a camp while pursuing a separate career," Andrew says. "YAP has influenced my life in so many ways, and I want to continue in that same path."

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