Kirsten Isaacs

As a volunteer, or "volunteen" as they Turtle Back Zoo calls it, I spent a few weeks each summer I assisting counselors in managing groups of young campers throughout their day at the zoo. My responsibilities included helping set up and lead fun, educational activities, engaging with the kids in a playful and supportive way, and ensuring a safe and respectful environment. I escorted campers to the bathroom and water stations, enforced camp rules, and calmly redirected or separated kids when they were misbehaving to avoid disrupting the group. Throughout my years there I worked exclusively with Kindergarten with the exception of one day during my 2023 year and I was need to assist the 4 and 5 graders for one day which I adapted to well.

• Freshman Year: Collaborated with classmates to create picnic care packages for Ukrainian refugee families. I specifically contributed by designing interactive picnic games to include in the kits, ensuring they were fun and culturally welcoming.
• Sophomore Year: Helped organize a carnival-style Fun Day for individuals with disabilities. I assisted in creating accessible games, handing out snacks, and participated in the entertainment portion of the event, helping keep guests engaged and joyful.
• Junior Year: Selected an off-campus service site for a week of full-time volunteer work. I chose to return to my former elementary school, Phillips Academy Charter School, where I supported a Pre-K classroom daily from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM. My responsibilities included assisting teachers, helping serve meals, maintaining a clean and safe environment, and building meaningful connections with the children through daily interaction and care.

As part of my senior year service commitment, I spent two hours every Tuesday at my former elementary school, Phillips Academy Charter School, assisting the “Leader in Me” teacher in her classroom. Although I only worked with one of her second-grade classes, I quickly built strong bonds with the students. I helped them with classwork, supported the teacher with various classroom tasks, and cared for the class bunnies. I stayed actively involved, always looking for ways to be helpful — whether that meant assisting with lessons, organizing materials, or simply being a reliable, encouraging presence for both the teacher and the kids.

• Supervised children's activities, ensuring safety and engagement throughout playtime.
• Prepared nutritious meals and snacks, accommodating dietary restrictions as needed.
• Developed and implemented creative educational games to promote learning and development.
• Played games, worked on puzzles, and read books to young children.
• Created an enjoyable atmosphere during babysitting sessions through storytelling, games, and music.

• Provided attentive care for dogs, ensuring safety and comfort during pet sitting sessions.
• Provided overnight pet sitting services, ensuring the comfort and security of both the dog and home.
• Prepared food and water following instructions from pet owners.
• Exercised animals regularly with walks and rigorous play activities.