As I am only a few hours away from the end of my 100 hour internship, I am very happy with how it went. I learned so much about the mechanics behind a city’s recreation events and what it takes to have a good amount of participation and enjoyment. While helping with summer league baseball, I also realized how much I enjoy working and helping kids.
The main activity of my internship took place at the ball field here in Holyoke, where I helped with summer league T-Ball and Machine Pitch. I would be assistant “Coach Tayla” at practices and also during games for the younger kids. In the evenings, during the baseball and softball games, I would run the scoreboard or take stats. I made a lot of new little friends during my time at the baseball park and I really enjoyed it.
Aside from helping with summer ball, the City of Holyoke Recreation branch did a couple of other activities as well. These activities consisted of Art Camp, helping with Gymnastics, Senior Yoga, and also helping at the Phillips County Fair. Victoria Dunker, the City of Holyoke Recreation Director and myself put on or helped with all of these activities and had success in doing so.
Throughout the course of my internship, I met all of my goals: Communication, Networking, and Leadership. My Communication goal was to communicate regularly with Victoria and to have a set schedule. By meeting to discuss the June and July schedule, we were able to achieve this goal. My Networking goal was to help with social media and also networking relations. I met this goal by sometimes helping Victoria answer emails and posting on the City of Holyoke Rec’s Facebook page. My Leadership goal was to make new friends and encourage the kids at practice and games. I definitely met this goal. I made a lot of new little friends and had a lot of fun with them.
In conclusion, I would say that my internship has been really successful. I’ve learned so much about what it takes to run Holyoke’s Recreation Department. It takes a lot of forethought, planning, and communication on everyone’s part. I developed my leadership qualities throughout the rough timeline of two and a half months and I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to do so!
