Compilation Paper

By Taylor Boysen

CADS 4910
AU Early Learning Center
Camp iCare, RC2
July 21, 2015

1. Describe the mission of the nonprofit as well as the needs and problems primarily
addressed by the organization. Discuss how your understanding of these needs, problems,

conditions, etc. has been affected by your practicum experience. Do you have any thoughts
on how these areas of concern could be addressed by other nonprofits more effectively?
The Auburn University Early Learning Center has a 4 fold mission. It states, To offer highquality care and education of young children and families; to provide training and education to
college and university students who will work with young children and families; to conduct and
support scholarly research efforts that expand understandings of how children and families grow
and develop; to work collaboratively with community members and other early childhood
development professionals and programs in expanding the availability of high-quality early and
education. Specifically, Camp iCare works to educate, embolden and empower youth to be
money smart and philanthropically engaged. My understanding regarding needs, problems, and
conditions before starting my internship was very theoretical, meaning that there was only one
problem with one answer. However, after working this summer, I have realized that each kid
brings unique perspective, problems and learning style to camp every day. It is my job to adapt
and connect with each kid to serve the mission and purpose of the program. Honestly, after much
consideration I believe that Camp iCare and REAL Cents REAL Change does an incredible job
in addressing its areas of concern. While there may be one out there, I dont know of a particular
organization that is doing a better job teaching kids about philanthropy as well as money smarts
and even leadership.
2. Specifically examine any advocacy efforts conducted by the nonprofit and policy issues
that the nonprofit is, or could be, addressing to further their mission.
During camp, talk of expanded Camp iCare and REAL Cents REAL Change was discussed. A
long-term goal of the program is to be all over the southeast and eventually the country. Next
year alone there is plans to expand into three or four more counties in Alabama. To complete that
type of expansion is to create a larger team of people whose job is to take care of Camp iCare

and REAL Cents REAL Change. This means developing the camps and working these camps.
Organizations that offer the same camp in multiple locations have teams of people that work
year-round to make sure every camp is the best it can be. Its important that the organization start
looking for people who are interested in working with these type of outreach programs.
3. Discuss the fundraising responsibilities within the organization. How does the nonprofit
with which you did a practicum receive funding?
Camp iCare and REAL Cents REAL Change is funding through many different ways. Private
donations, corporate sponsorships, as well as foundations support the organizations efforts. Kim
McCurdy serves as the programs development officer who actively seeks out donors and
funding opportunities.
4. Address your observations of the nonprofits governance structure and philanthropic
efforts.
Camp iCare and REAL Cents REAL Change have co-founders. These two are Sharon
Wilbanks and Sid James. Sharon Wilbanks also serves as the director of Auburn University Early
Center and was my boss this semester. Lauren Reynolds is the director of both programs, and the
curriculum is created by the Director of Educational Programs, Samantha Allbrook. There are
several employees of the Cary Center that play active roles in Camp iCare as well as other
interns and of course, volunteers. Overall, the governance of these programs is successful in that
the nonprofits mission is fully completed. At times there seemed to be a breakdown in roles in
who is making final decisions about things. The programs do have a development officer, Kim
McCurdy that leads different donor campaigns and seeks sponsorships and donations.
5. What did you observe or learn this semester about leadership in the nonprofit sector?
Whether or not a nonprofit meets its goal and fulfilled its mission rest entirely in rather or not
effective leadership is present in the nonprofit. Through working with Camp iCare and REAL

Cents REAL Change, I have learned that developing clear leadership roles with specific duties is
the best way to have an organization or program work smoothly. Another lesson about leadership
that I learned this summer is that a good leader must be flexible and adaptable to any situation.
The Camp iCare and REAL Cents REAL Change program directors have proven that with any
nonprofit work you can always expect a curve ball, meaning that you must always be prepared
for the unexpected.
6. What did you observe or learn about volunteerism in the nonprofit sector?
Volunteerism is vital to charitable work, and that was proven to me this summer. Many of
those who worked at the camps were volunteers, which allowed students more one-on-one time
with the adults as well as an extra set of hands during snack or play time. With kids, it is hard to
have too many adults around. I also learned a little bit about what it takes to manage
successfully volunteers before and during the event or program. Communication is key.
Volunteers should know, beforehand about what is to be expected of them. A clear outline of
their duties and your expectations helps to prevent any misunderstandings. As a volunteer, one
must accept and understand that their role is to be and do whatever the organization needs at that
moment. They must be focused on the task at hand and prepare through communication with the
group prior to the event or program.
7. What did you observe or learn about yourself during this process?
I had always heard working in nonprofits come with their challenges. The most difficult thing
for me during this internship has to have been the moments where you feel like your goal was
not accomplished. During REAL Cents REAL Change Haddies Home, there was a student
would show up with a sour attitude. This person was outright against participating in the group
and so much so that this person did not participate at all. When the group left, I felt like this

person received nothing from being there; like it was a waste of time. I went home and told my
roommate about it, and he said something that had stuck with me. He reminded me that while I
may think I didnt achieve my goal, that teen might remember something I said. It was then that I
realized that even though that person may not have been impacted in the way that the team
would have planned, there were others that were affected positively, and we still could have
reached that teen. Overall, its important to remember that the task of a nonprofit is different than
that of a business. Its about changing hearts and minds and sometimes the result isnt as clear as
a bottom line.
8. A description of the primary responsibilities performed during your work experience.
Throughout the summer, I had various roles and responsibilities. My roles varied depending
on which camp we were doing and where we were. For instance, with Camp iCare at Lee-Scott
Academy, I was able to explain the 3 Ss of Money and aided in a classroom. During REAL
Cents REAL Change at Our House, I played more of a leadership role by leading more
discussions. At Notasulga High School, I was an assistant to Sharon Wilbanks in a classroom and
had the opportunity to learn and observe how an experienced educator works in that setting.
Back in the office my job was preparation for each camp. I mainly focused on filling supply
boxes for arts and crafts, games and lessons. Along with general preparation for each camp, I
worked on several of the ePortfolios Team 360 produced. Each ePortfolio highlighted a camp
and the children that attended. My particular job was to get several of the websites populated and
designed. Each task was a new experience for me, and I learned about how much preparation
goes in behind the scenes of these types of programs.
9. How do you assess your personal knowledge, abilities, likes and dislikes, etc. for your
various work responsibilities, and how does this inform your desire for future involvement
with the nonprofit sector?

Prior to this summer, the only similar experiences I had previously had with children was
through various mission trips and even still, this work was unique in its right. I have always been
interested in education policy and nonprofit work, but most of my previous knowledge was
theory-based. One of the first tasks I had that I enjoyed was the planning portion of the process.
Being able to meet and brainstorm a vision you have with others is something I have always
enjoyed.
At first, I was nervous to speak and teach the kids. Before we started camp, I thought my role
would be more of a helper, but with REAL Cents REAL Change at Haddies Home and Our
House I was able to play more of a teacher role. The first night, I was extremely nervous. While
the material was not new to me, coming up with a way to communicate my knowledge to the
teens was challenging, but being able to communicate on their level is vital to the success of our
mission. By the end of the camps, I found myself enjoying being able to have a discussion with
the kids about philanthropy and what it means to be financially responsible. It was through that
discussion that I noticed myself working through issues we were discussing for myself.
Notasulga High School and Our House both serve children who come from low-income
households. However, what I noticed was the difference in the structure of each organization. For
instance, NHS is a school with very loving, but strict, administrators. Our Houses administration
is more relaxed. The nonprofit itself is about making kids feel loved and a part of something. At
NHS, however, the kids were able to connect better with our message because they were focused
and listened. At Our House, while we were effective, my observation was that the kids did not
fully comprehend our message because of the structure. They were not as focused and willing to
listen and often just wanted to hang out more than try and learn. For future reference, my advice

would be to take Camp iCare and REAL Cents REAL Change into settings with more of a
structure-based setting.
Concerning future involvement with nonprofits, I have decided to stay with nonprofits that
focus around childhood education. Some days were long. Some sessions I just wanted to throw
my hands in the air, but in every session that I wanted to pull my hair out there was always at
least one child that was interested. That one kid that wanted to know more made every frustrating
second worth it. To watch a kid begin to understand everything you have been trying to teach
them makes every frustrating second worth it.
10. How did your experiences and observations during your work at the nonprofit relate to
the topics covered in previous courses in the philanthropy and nonprofit minor?
During the courses that I have taken regarding the minor, I think the material is relevant. It is
important to know the best practice when it comes to the organizational structure of a nonprofit. I
was able to observe the organizational fabric of a real nonprofit, not just read about a theorybased nonprofit and I could witness what worked and what may have needed some attention
within the organization that I discussed earlier. Through the courses, I was able to gain the
knowledge of the legal aspects of nonprofits. Nonprofit organizations have to be careful about
how they spend their money, and I would not have known some of that information if it werent
for taking classes within the minor. I would suggest that the classes we take in the minor focuses
mainly on the organization and not directly on the people nonprofits serve, so the experiences
that most surprised me were face-to-face where there was dialogue between me as an intern and
the kids that we were reaching.
11. How do you feel your experiences in the minor and practicum have impacted or will
impact your future in the nonprofit sector?

Looking back, this experience will serve me more than I initially thought. A long-term goal of
mine is to open a charter school and help families in rural, impoverished areas. I am a firm
advocate that education is the key to a better, fulfilling life, and it has been a constant force in
lifting people out of poverty. Camp iCare and REAL Cents REAL Change is like a school in that
it is structured in a camp, an almost school day, atmosphere. It is as close I could get to
developing curriculum and being in a school without being in a school. I learned invaluable skills
that I will be able to take with me in my future career.
This experience has also given me a chance to see what type of work I specifically enjoy
within an organization and what areas of work I could improve on. For example, an important
part of an organization is their media outreach. Rather that be through social media, newsletters,
magazines, etc. I am the type of person that focuses more on the task at hand rather than thinking
about getting a photo, but working this summer has shown me the importance of capturing the
organization and program in action. Donors want to see where their money is going and if the
organization is accomplishing its goal, and one outlet is through media. Camp iCare and REAL
Cents REAL Change is doing an excellent job of including itself in the new world of media, and
they have taught me always to keep media in mind.