Jenn Tucci: Camp Still Fun & Games

 Jenn Tucci loves camp.

 A good thing, since she's the assistant director for the Dobbs Ferry Recreation department's Summer Magic Day Camp, which serves the community's first through sixth graders from July 6 through August 13.

"I like camp," she said. "You can play with the kids. If I have to work over the summer, I like to work in camp. I couldn't be behind a desk."

Raised, rooted—and now returned to her home town--Tucci relishes being part of the same town camp where she went as a child. And her Dobbs Ferry roots definitely show when Tucci admitted that "one of the directors of the junior camp was my camp counselor. Some of the kids I babysat for are camp counselors. Being it's a small town, I know the kids."

Now in her third year as assistant director for the senior camp, Tucci functions in many roles. Like the director and the other assistant director, "We make sure that the day and summer go smoothly."

Sometimes that means sitting with a first-grader who's a little woebegone, missing her mommy, and craves Tucci's company as a substitute mother-figure. Sometimes she spends her time dealing with clerical and administrative tasks--like an assistant principal at school—or helps a counselor resolve an issue, like bullying.

Tucci graduated from Mercy College with an undergraduate degree in history and a master's degree in childhood education. She's also certified in special education for first through sixth grade.

Tucci has always loved children, and working with them is an endless joy for her. "That's why I'm into education," she said. "Kids always have you laughing. When you know the kids like you, when you see you make a difference, it makes it all worthwhile."

She clearly can't get enough of being with kids.

 "The best part is being in a relaxed setting with the kids," said Tucci, the mother of a four-year-old daughter. When her schedule and responsibilities permit, there's nothing Tucci likes more than a chance to "sit down and play with the kids. I have a great time. I'll play 'duck duck goose.' I'll do an art project with them. I'll go have lunch with the kids."

Laid back and relaxed is key to understanding the benefit of the village camp, which is a welcome antidote to the campers' over-scheduled and intense lives during the school year.    

"Our philosophy is that the kids need a break from school," said Tucci, who is a teacher's assistant for a BOCES program at the Rye Lake campus during the school year. "They need time to relax, hang out, and play with their friends. Even though it's work for us, it's a break for them. We work hard to make sure they feel it's relaxed. We all enjoy ourselves."

While there are scheduled activities during the 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. camp day, with sports, art, swim instruction and free swim, there's also plenty of time for the campers to simply head to the playground,  enjoy a game of Knock Hockey, Whiffle ball or Steal the Bacon, or play traditional card games like Spit.

 "Kids like having the choices," Tucci said.

Still, there are some differences between Tucci's camp memories and the experiences of her young charges. Tucci has to gently remind parents that cell phones and other electronics don't belong at camp.

Like a great coach, Tucci loves seeing a child's enthusiasm when he passes the swim test, or runs up to tell her, "look what I learned."

The real secret, confessed Tucci, is that "I have a great time at camp. I look forward to camp. This is ideal for me. I love where I am."