Samantha McMinn
Manheim
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate professional with a Bachelor of Science in Care, Health and Society. Experienced in child life practicum and volunteer roles, with a strong focus on therapeutic activities and patient support. Proven ability to plan and organize engaging activities for children and adolescents, fostering social development and confidence.
Overview
1
1
year of professional experience
Work History
Recreation Support Services
Penn State University Athletics
09.2025 - Current
- Lead wheelchair basketball coaching, organizing weekly practices, and ensuring NWBA compliance.
- Coordinate equipment maintenance to foster a safe and efficient training environment.
- Develop strategic practice plans to enhance team performance and ensure regulatory compliance.
Site Supervisor
Steps to Success, Donegal Intermediate School
06.2025 - Current
- Planned and organized engaging weekly activities by selecting themes based on campers’ interests and developmental needs.
- Designed activities aligned with weekly themes to ensure meaningful, fun, and developmentally enriching experiences.
- Promoted safety and supervision during transitions, including lunch and bathroom breaks.
- Procured necessary supplies and coordinated logistics for field trips to ensure smooth and safe operations.
- Communicated directly with families regarding behavioral or physical concerns, completing documentation as needed.
- Addressed behavioral challenges individually with children, using supportive strategies to encourage positive outcomes.
- Managed staff schedules, including lunch breaks and weekly staffing plans, to maintain an organized and efficient camp environment.
- Implementing the same approach in the pre- and post-school settings.
Seasonal Summer Counselor
Aaron Acres, New Holland Community Park
05.2025 - Current
- Served as a camp counselor, working closely with two adolescent girls diagnosed with Level 1 autism to support social development.
- Facilitated conversations with peers and adults, encouraging confidence and self-expression.
- Immersed in various camp activities, including bowling, a ropes course, a firehouse visit, ukulele building, and team games, to build rapport and create opportunities for communication.
- Engaged campers in conversations about personal interests (music, dancing, and friendships), fostering growth in social confidence and self-expression.
- Observed and documented progress through individualized goal sheets, highlighting each camper’s participation and development.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Care, Health and Society
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ05.2024
Skills
- Activity Planning
- Child Development
- Therapeutic Play
- Patient Support
- Mentoring
- Communication
- Organizational Skills
- Team Leadership
- Creative Problem Solving
- Empathy Training
- Public Speaking
- Time Management
- Adaptability
Timeline
Recreation Support Services
Penn State University Athletics
09.2025 - Current
Site Supervisor
Steps to Success, Donegal Intermediate School
06.2025 - Current
Seasonal Summer Counselor
Aaron Acres, New Holland Community Park
05.2025 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Care, Health and Society
University of Arizona
Community Activities/Additional Volunteer Work
- Arthritis Foundation – JA Camp, Volunteer, 2022-04, 2022-06, Planned and organized a virtual youth camp for ages 6-18.
- Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania and Penn State Health, Coach/Mentor for New Youth Wheelchair Basketball Team, 2022-05, Present, Collaborated with the Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania and Penn State Health., Planned practices and mentored teenage athletes.
- Lancaster Medical Center, Volunteer, 2024-04, Present, Restocked medical equipment for doctors and nurses., Made rounds with a personal care cart for patients and families., Provided play to patients and delivered cards and flowers.
- Kennedy Krieger Institute Physically Challenged Sports Program (Bennett Blazers), Coach/Mentor, Baltimore, MD, 2019-05, Present, Coached and mentored youth athletes with physical disabilities in multiple sports., Assisted with summer camps and mentored teen athletes on transitioning to college.
Child Life Experiences
Child Life Experience
Child Life Practicum Student
INOVA L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital, Falls Church, VA
May 28, 2024 – August 16, 2024
- Observed and shadowed a Child Life Specialist in various units.
- Planned and implemented therapeutic activities for pediatric patients.
- Completed comprehensive journal entries and development assessments.
Child Life Volunteer- 103 Hrs
Penn State Children’s Hospital, Hershey, PA
June 2022 – July 2025
• Observed the roles and duties of a Certified Child Life Specialist in the Same Day Unit, Pediatric Specialties Clinic, PICU, and Pre-OP, PACU
• Planned and implemented developmentally appropriate therapeutic play activities.
• Cleaned and organized playrooms to ensure patient safety and well-being.
Child Life Volunteer- 22 Hrs
Tucson Medical Center- Children's Clinics, Tucson, AZ
August 2021 - October 2022
Observed roles and duties of Certified Child Life Specialists in Pediatric Specialties Clinics.
• Welcomed patients and families while performing administrative tasks, including organizing patient
forms, organizing donations, and writing thank-you letters to the donors.
• Organized holiday special event celebrations for patients.
• Participated in normative play with children in clinics.
Child Life Volunteer- 78 Hrs
Diamond Children's Medical Center, Tucson, AZ
October 2022-May 2024
- Observe roles and duties of certified Child Life Specialists in the emergency department and inpatientunits. Began a rotation in the outpatient oncology unit in January 2024.
● Direct play with children in the playroom and by the patient’s bedside.
● Cleaned and organized playrooms to ensure patients’ safety.
● Assisted with play and had direct family and medical team interaction.
● Perform administrative tasks, including organizing donations and writing thank-you letters to donors.