Summer camp success

Water fights and homemade ice cream — how could summer get any better?

For two University of Dayton students, it also included learning and growing.

Celene Diaz and Valerie Pennington interned at Adventure Central, a nature-based summer camp for Dayton children ages 7 to 13, through a partnership with UD’s Fitz Center for Leadership in Community.

Diaz, a sophomore chemical engineering major from Chicago, volunteered to fulfill a personal passion — helping children grow and succeed.

“I think they are so incredible — they are so creative,” she said. “I was involved in programs like this when I was little, so it’s great to give back.”

This day, her students are making homemade ice cream, shaking Ziploc bags of cream, sugar, ice and salt. Some couldn’t wait and poured the sticky, slushy mess into their mouths. Others kicked a ball or leaned against a towering tree. “Each day is different, but I’m constantly reminding myself that the little things matter,” she said.

“Each day is different, but I’m constantly reminding myself that the little things matter.”

Pennington, a senior education major from Beavercreek, Ohio, said the camp helped build her classroom skills ahead of full-time student teaching.

“It’s important to remember that their need for connection and attention is very strong,” said Pennington. She adapted her teaching to help one camper who struggled with focus and attention by creating a system for him to recognize his feelings and step away when needed. He could then more fully participate in the fun and games.

“The more experience you can have, the better off you’ll be as a teacher,” she added.

Photograph by Sylvia Stahl '18.

A version of this article appears in print in the Autumn 2026 University of Dayton Magazine, Page 15. EXPLORE THE ISSUE — MORE ONLINE