Volunteer- Alex Smith-Scales

Volunteer Blog – Alex Smith-Scales

Junior volunteer for 3 years

Has volunteered in summer camps, at special events with her mom including Folk Festival, Kids Carniball, Legendary Santa, and others, as well as in other capacities around the Museum
Freshman at Hermitage High School

Volunteering at CMoR means that I get to fulfill dozens of kids’ dreams while also having a good time. I know that by giving my time at the museum, I am making it possible for another child to enjoy and experience of a day of play, fun and learning. Frankly, I can’t think of a more satisfying job.

I love how the museum teaches kids while they play. It kind of reminds me of Chef Boyardee ravioli, and how kids are enjoying a delicious meal while secretly getting a full serving of vegetables. I also love how the museum has a “worry-free” feel to it. No drama, no worries - just good fun. And with me being a teenager, a place like that is extremely refreshing.

One thing I’ve learned is that kids are the best teachers, and I honestly think they secretly know it. Some kids have taught me to not to be as tense as I usually am, and to just let go and have fun. Others have taught me that with kids, you need to be fair and firm, or else all control is lost. I feel like I can handle kids, and even my own peers, much better because of that advice. I no longer feel threatened when I hear that there are twenty kids in a summer camp. As long as there is an understanding between the child and I, there are virtually no problems.

One memory I have is when I was volunteering for a special event, and a child ran up to me and gave me a big hug, as he had remembered me from the camp the week before. Basically any memory of a child remembering me with a positive feeling is special. To know that I made such a good impression on them that they give me that reaction the next time they see me makes volunteering worthwhile. I don’t see adults as my biggest critics. Rather, I see children as my biggest critics, since they have an honest and blunt nature about them, which is in my opinion a good thing. It gives me a critique on how I’ve been doing my job. I also love it when I can make kids laugh. Seeing their faces light up with joy is enough to make me tear up because it is so incredibly cute!