For Jaquan, Camp Hope has long been a place filled with fun and familiar faces. This summer, however, he experienced camp from a whole new perspective as a paid employee.

Jaquan, who lives in The Arc of Essex County’s Belleville Group Home, attended Camp Hope as a camper in the past. This year, he returned to the East Hanover campus as a member of the maintenance team, helping keep camp clean and running smoothly throughout its 70th anniversary season.

“I used to come here as a camper, and now I’m working here,” Jaquan says. “It feels so great to work and to make money.”

His responsibilities include cleaning, mopping, changing paper products, and tackling the many other maintenance tasks that come with keeping a busy summer camp in top shape. And Jaquan genuinely enjoys the work. “I love it. I love doing maintenance,” he says. “I love the people here. We’re a family. I love everybody that’s here.”

Jaquan has previous work experience with East Orange Recreation, but he says his job at Camp Hope has been especially rewarding. Earning his own paycheck is part of that experience. He hasn’t spent his summer earnings yet, but says he’s saving up for a new pair of special sneakers.

The job has given Jaquan an opportunity to contribute to a place that was once an important part of his own summers. His journey from camper to employee is a fitting example of how opportunities at The Arc can evolve over time, allowing participants to build skills, take on new roles, and become part of creating meaningful experiences for others.

Jaquan is very excited to return next year, ready to work and reconnect with his Camp Hope family when the summer comes back around. He might even be wearing those special sneakers.