My name is Sydney and I’m a volunteer camp counselor with the RMHC New York Metro Summer Kids Club sponsored by Morris and Minnie Kaplan! Over the summer, my main goal is to help create a fun, supportive environment for children who are living here. I’m a junior at Fordham University, majoring in neuroscience and bioethics and I was excited to volunteer at Ronald McDonald House in this summer.
My mom has been volunteering with RMHC for about a year, and when I came home for the summer looking for meaningful ways to give back, she introduced me to the organization. It turned out to be one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve ever made. The experience has had a lasting impact—I’ve learned just as much from the kids as they’ve learned from me. I’ve truly cherished every moment.
Hands On, Hearts Open
Summer Kids Club offers a full weekday program from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for children ages 4 to 12 staying at the House. Kids Club chance for them to step away from the stress of hospital life and just enjoy being kids. At the same time, it gives their parents and caregivers a well-deserved break, knowing their children are in a safe, fun, and caring environment. Most days we gather in the playroom, but we also take full advantage of the many communal spaces throughout the House. Each space allows for special activities, games, and creativity-filled adventures.
The daily schedule is packed with hands-on, imaginative activities that range from baking and crafts to music, reading, and our most beloved pastime—slime.
Mixing Up Magic
Slime is always a huge hit—fluffy, glittery, unicorn, cloud slime—you name it, we’ve made it! The kids use their creations in pretend play, turning the room into slime shops, bakeries, and science labs. One of our counselors even surprised the group with a scavenger hunt, complete with riddles and puzzles hidden throughout the House. It brought out everyone’s inner detective and the kids had a blast working together and using their unique skills to solve each clue.
We’ve whipped up no-bake treats like “worms in dirt” with pudding and Oreos and mug cakes with chocolate chip cookies, and the kids love painting and coloring, which we do almost every day. The playroom often turns into a stage for Disney karaoke and boomwhacker jam sessions.
That’s Showbiz, Baby!
One of the most memorable activities we’ve done was our puppet show. The campers made puppets from paper bags, creating versions of their favorite animals, characters, and people. Then, they wrote and performed a script about the importance of kindness and the harms of bullying. The show ended with the line, “Why bully when you can have a dance party!”—followed, of course, by a real dance party with music and laughter. It was a proud, joy-filled moment for everyone involved.
Love in Every Language
What’s surprised me the most as a counselor is how much we learn from the kids—and from each other—every single day. The children come from all over the world, and even when they don’t share the same spoken language, they find meaningful ways to connect through play, music, and imagination. Another memorable moment was when we started singing nursery rhymes, and the kids each taught us their version in their own language. We sang in Spanish, French, and Lithuanian—clapping, laughing, and doing hand motions as we learned the words and rhythms together. It was such a simple, joyful moment that showed how eager they are to share their cultures and how naturally they embrace one another. These little exchanges—songs, stories, and traditions—create a space full of connection, curiosity, and mutual respect.
Charting a New Course
One day that stands out was when we attempted to make a volcano from a store-bought kit. Nothing went according to plan—the plaster hardened too fast, the paint was dried out, and the eruption fizzled. I felt awful that it didn’t work, but the kids weren’t discouraged at all. Back in the playroom, they grabbed markers and paper and immediately started planning a better volcano. They brainstormed ways to make the explosion bigger, what materials they could use from the art cart, and even picked out new locations where they could better contain the mess. Watching them turn disappointment into collaboration and problem-solving reminded me how resilient and imaginative they are.
Volunteering at the Summer Kids Club has been a truly meaningful and unforgettable experience. Spending time with the kids—hearing their wild stories, listening to their fun facts, and helping bring their big ideas to life—has been endlessly inspiring. I always look forward to each day at the House, and I’m so grateful to be part of something that makes summer brighter for these incredible kids. I’ll definitely keep volunteering during school breaks and can’t wait to return next summer!