In this latest Out of Office journey, we traveled to the hills of Silicon Valley. Just west of the bustling tech center, up past the Stevens Creek Reservoir, lies Camp Via West.
Camp Via West is special for many reasons. Serving the San Francisco Bay Area since 1945, it’s nestled in the foothills, surrounded by towering redwoods. It’s not just any camp—it exclusively serves children and adults with disabilities, creating a unique and inclusive environment.
We spent the day at camp to chat with the camp director, Alyssa Pecorino, and meet several AmeriCamp counselors who were working there. AmeriCamp is one of our cultural exchange programs that brings young adults from overseas to the U.S. as camp counselors for the summer, with a few weeks afterward to explore America.
Talking with Alyssa and the AmeriCamp staff gave us insight into the special impact Camp Via West has on both its campers and counselors.
"I know people I was speaking to last week who were very introverted. By the fourth week, they’re talking to more people than I am, and I’m more extroverted," said Daniel, an AmeriCamp counselor from the UK.
Daniel’s experience reflects what many counselors feel when they first arrive—overwhelmed, unsure, and nervous about the coming weeks. But as they settle in, nearly all find the experience to be transformative and deeply rewarding.
And the counselors weren’t the only ones inspired. After learning more about Camp Via West from Alyssa, Dennis couldn’t resist jumping in to try his hand as a counselor for a day!
Alyssa assigned Dennis to work alongside the AmeriCamp counselors, helping coordinate wacky hockey games and joining in the day’s highlight activity—swimming.
By the end of the day, it was hard not to feel moved by the spirit of Camp Via West. Alyssa summed it up beautifully:
"Seeing the impact on the campers, and hearing from families, 'They’re so much happier now; they’re more independent; they made a friend.' That means more to me than anything else. To witness that concrete evidence of camp’s impact—it’s amazing."
Written by Nick Testa
