Camp encourages kids
Summer work for the staff of Breakthrough Butler is as much a camp for the adults as it is for the children.
Nick Yannotty, founder of Breakthrough Butler, said running the camp doesn’t feel like work to him, because not only does he enjoy organizing camp activities, he gets to see the children develop over the summer.
“I love that this is what I get to do,” Yannotty said. “I just want (the children) to feel welcomed somewhere and to build better versions of people.”
Camp Breakthrough has 11 weeks of camp activities over the summer, aimed at children ages 5 to 13, according to Yannotty.
Activities for each week are based on themes like red, white and blue; Canada; Nickelodeon; and Star Wars, which continues through Friday, June 30. Children participated in games like an asteroid hunt and drawing Baby Yoda on Wednesday, June 28.
Yannotty said Camp Breakthrough is like other summer camps, but he and the other staff members try to build an atmosphere of acceptance. It is the same atmosphere he tries to create with other activities he plans through Breakthrough Butler, which include a volleyball league and teen dances.
“We just want to create a place where they feel like they belong,” Yannotty said.
Signing up a child for a week of camp costs $35 the week-of, or $400 for the whole summer. Most children bring meals from home to eat, but Yannotty said snacks are also provided. He also said that money could be paid over a period of time.
“I never want money to be the reason why someone can’t come,” he said.
Alivia Douglas, 13, of Butler, helps facilitate activities at her summer camp alongside adult counselors. Yannotty said he likes to give children a chance to lead groups if they like.
Despite being somewhat of a leader at the camp, Alivia said she looks forward to attending the camp each day.
“I like helping kids out and I do some cleaning up after them,” Alivia said. “I just like the hanging out with friends here.”
For more information on Camp Breakthrough, visit breakthroughbutler.org.
