Meet Jake
By Elizabeth Boyte
January 11, 2021
In 2012, Jake started a typical summer job as a summer camp counselor. That fall, he was headed to Appalachian State University to major in Graphic Design.
Halfway through the summer, as Jake was sitting at the archery range with a camper in his care, he realized his typical summer job was anything but. Jake and the camper discussed life, the upcoming school year, and the camper told Jake about the physical therapy and occupational therapy he receives.
The camper explained that his occupational therapist’s job is “what you do as my camp counselor.” Jake’s curiosity was immediately piqued. What if he could do work like this permanently?
That night, after putting campers to bed, he went to the computer lab to research Occupational Therapy. It was right up his alley – it uses creativity and is a hands-on profession. A career that allowed him to continue impactful work and one that provided opportunity to change lives.
“[I] thought it was just going to be a typical summer job, just kind of work and you’re done, which was the furthest thing from the truth.”
Within two weeks, during a break between summer camp sessions, Jake drove to App State and changed his major to Psychology so he could eventually pursue Occupational Therapy. In the years since, Jake returned to Victory Junction as a counselor and volunteer and graduated college.
Currently living in Denver, Colorado, he is a Pediatric Occupational Therapy Assistant and is looking into bridge programs to obtain his Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy.
For campers and counselors, Victory Junction opens doors to possibilities of who they can be.
