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Interview with Marianne Baker
Marblehead/Swampscott YMCA School Age and Specialty Camp Director
Marianne Baker vividly recalls her informal interview for the
director position at the YMCA.
“I was
nannying for children at the playground and my friend from the YMCA
was there. She said she was leaving. It’s sort of funny how it
happened so casually at the playground,” said Baker.
That was 15
years ago. Today, Marianne oversees the after school program and
summer small fry and explorers camps. Additionally, she’s starting
to set up the teen programming to get ready for the new YMCA at
Leggs Hill.
In the new
facility she says the after school program will grow by 15%. “The
kids are very excited about having foosball and air hockey tables,
regular swim and gym time and a place they can decorate by and for
themselves. Finally, they’ll have their own space to safely store
their supplies and projects.” says Baker.
The after
school program will be able to offer more choices during the day,
activities like line dancing, sewing, drama and music in addition to
their current choices of sports, cooking, and swimming.
Baker will be
creating new programs including the Junior Leader Club and the
Junior Achievers. The Junior Leader Club will be for 6th,
7th and 8th graders and will include drop-in
time, field trips and community service. The Junior Achievers will
learn, among other skills, how to budget money and finances.
“A lot of
people feel as though teens don’t have anything to do. The Junior
Leader Club will start drawing kids at a younger age so they’ll
continue to stay over the teen years—and some will even get jobs
here,” says Baker.
There are
three counselors right now whom she has watched grow up in her
programs since preschool.
“I like
working with kids—watching them grow up. Because of our values of
caring, honesty, respect and responsibility, I’ve seen trouble
makers turn around and be leaders. It’s very rewarding,” says Baker.
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