In his third year as a Tiger’s DEN counselor, Casey Potts, an LSU alumnus, said he initially had no intention of returning to the camp this summer. But Potts did not have another job, and the children were so insistent about his return that he changed his mind. “The kids told me they wanted me to come back,” he said, which ate away at him and further encouraged him to continue counseling. Potts said the night before camp began on May 30, he laid in bed anticipating another summer of counseling. “I couldn’t sleep,” Potts said. “I was too excited.” This year is Tiger’s DEN’s eighth year as a University Recreation Center program, and the campers – and counselors – are as excited as ever to be participating. The Tiger’s DEN is a recreational-based program for children ages 6 to 12, separated into juniors (ages 6 to 8) and seniors (ages 9 to 12). Every year there are four sessions that each last 12 days, as well as a pre-session that lasts about four days. The goal of Tiger’s DEN is not only to promote active and healthy lifestyles for the children, but also to encourage them to continue staying active and fit after the session ends. David Hadskey, father of camper Alex Hadskey and LSU Athletic Department employee, said he has brought his son to Tiger’s DEN for four years. He said his wife found out about Tiger’s DEN by being around the LSU campus regularly and decided to send both of her sons there after her older son preferred Tiger’s DEN to other camps he had been to. Hadskey said the camp is convenient for him and he feels comfortable sending his kids there because of the familiarity he has with LSU. This is the second year parent Nicole Richardson has brought her two children to Tiger’s DEN. “It’s a convenient location,” Richardson said. “And [my children] loved it last year.” Each session of Tiger’s DEN is dedicated to a specific theme that varies from year to year. The theme is picked prior to the session and dictates the activities the children will perform each day. Throughout the day, campers switch between physical activities, such as soccer or swimming, and non-physical activities, such as arts and crafts. The majority of counselors and kids agree “battle ball” is their favorite game. Every day there is a total of 12 counselors present at all times, as well as more than of four counselors-in-training. “Our ideal ratio is one counselor per six to eight children,” said Jeff Pon, coordinator of intramurals and camps. “That’s why campers may enroll at any time until we hit the limit of 100 campers per session.” Each camp session costs $200 for LSU faculty, staff and students, and $260 for non-LSU affiliates. There is also an additional application fee of $25 per session per child. Camp days begin a 9:00 a.m. and end at 4:00 p.m. Richardson said her kids liked how the counselors are young and always pay attention to them. “I look forward to going to work,” Potts said. “I like the people I work with.” Mindy Prieur, an education senior and Tiger’s DEN counselor, enjoys interacting with the kids. “They really do listen, which shocked me,” Prieur said. Pon said one of the main reasons campers keep coming back is because of the comfort they feel around the counselors. He said there is a good overall atmosphere. In fact, some campers come back as counselors-in-training, like Christian Wright. Wright, a former camper of three years, is now a counselor-in-training. He said he helps prepare for activities every day, cleans up and participates in activities with the kids. “I’m gonna try to continue counseling,” said Wright. Pon said it takes a lot of work to run such a huge camp, but the rewards are worth it. “It’s a huge responsibility being in charge of such a large number of children, but it’s great knowing that you’re helping shape them and promoting healthy lifestyles for their futures,” Pon said.
Contact Carolyn Scofield at [email protected]