Tom Collier :: Public Affairs Assistant
Posted by Erin on 06 Feb 2006 at 7:12 am | Tagged as: Profiles | Printer/Text Reader Friendly Version: Print This Post
Hello from Camp ASCCA! My name is Tom Collier and I am the Public Affairs Assistant at Camp ASCCA as of December 2005. I have a wonderful job (what better place to work than Camp ASCCA on beautiful Lake Martin), a great boss (Dana, who is very nice and patient with those of us with few computer skills), and I work only part time, which allows for some free time for tennis and fishing.
I am actually retired from Camp ASCCA, as I started full time in 1978 as the Program Coordinator. I received a Bachelor of Science in 1976 from Auburn University in Recreation Administration and immediately went to work as a summer counselor at a brand new camp for the disabled — Camp ASCCA! Prior to starting full time, I worked for 1 1/2 years in Montgomery, my hometown, as the Physical Director at the East YMCA. In 1984, I settled into the position of Camp Director where I remained until my retirement in 2005.
Being a recreation major, I have naturally always been a big advocate of the benefits of leisure activities — in particular, the beautiful outdoor resources we have been blessed to live in. My present duties are concentrated in an effort to tell people about the wonderful opportunities that abound at Camp ASCCA, with emphasis on the outstanding programs we offer in environmental education.
Over 26 years at camp have provided me with hundreds of great stories and positive memories. I imagine all of us that work here do so not for the money (we are a non-profit organization), but for the opportunity to serve others. Seeing campers on a daily basis and being motivated by their positive outlook on life is a true inspiration!
Camp has certainly impacted me in other ways as well. I met my wife here while she worked as a counselor. She later became our full-time nurse at camp for several years up until the time, almost literally, that our son was born. She was moving tables in the Dining Hall for our Annual Meeting 1 week prior to his birth. As they say in the camp business your job description includes whatever necessary! He is now a senior at Benjamin Russell High School in Alexander City and she is now an attorney in disability law.
Camp ASCCA is a great place and I look forward to sharing more of our stories in the future.
