Many students attend camps during the summer break between school sessions. Glenville State College senior music major Jessica Jaffre attended her first camp this summer. She was not a camper, but instead, she was a camp counselor. Jaffre was recommended to teach a group of Wirt County High School girls flute at Camp Barbe in Wirt County.

Jaffre was chosen by Shaun Davis, Wirt County Director of Bands. Davis is also a GSC Alum graduating in 2003. “I hired Jessica because I attended Glenville State College as well. While at GSC, Wirt County was my first band camp. I worked Wirt County's band camp six years before becoming the Director. Glenville State's Music Department sends out a list of band camp candidates and Jessica was one of them. She was highly recommended by the Music Department, her peers, and colleagues I contacted in the music/band profession,” said Davis.

Jaffre exclaimed, “I was really excited to be chosen, but I was nervous because I have never done this before. I wanted the experience because I hope to be a music teacher one day.” She gladly accepted the invitation and traveled to Camp Barbe on July 20th.

She worked with the group of Wirt County High School girls from July 20th through the 24th. To begin with, Jaffre wanted to connect with the students and relate to them. Jaffre explained, “I connected with the students by telling them my personal difficulties learning to play musical instruments when I began to play.” The group had a lot of fun working with each other. “I started with the basics and encouraged them. By the end of the week they told me that they had never learned so much in a week,” said Jaffre.

Davis added, “She did a phenomenal job, jumped right in, and helped the kids so much. Her flute students grew so much from her guidance and instruction.” “I was excited that I helped make a difference in their lives. By the end of the week, I was amazed how much they had grown,” said Jaffre.

“My students really liked her and many have already asked me if she is coming back next year. Jessica is an excellent person and Glenville State College is lucky to have her,” said Davis. Jaffre was asked to come back next year to teach again at the camp. Jaffre concluded, “The whole experience was rewarding and I felt much more confident as a musician - I learned a lot from them…I learned through them.”