Courtney, a participant in Teen Club and Break Camps at CLI’s Family Center, has become a fearless young woman.  As a child she was scared of swimming, but after a lot of practice she got over her fear.  Now, Courtney’s favorite place to go is Raging Rivers Water Park.

“It’s the best swimming place ever!” said Courtney.  “I like the feeling of going down the slides.  I am happy and proud that I overcame my fear.”

Courtney will be doing plenty of swimming this July and August through Summer Camp at CLI.  She has attended CLI’s Teen Club and Break Camps since her family moved to the area in 2005.  While she overcame her fear of swimming before coming to CLI, Teen Club and Break Camps have helped her become even more courageous in trying new things while her parents have peace of mind knowing she’s having fun and learning in a safe environment.  Since she’s been in the programs, Courtney’s family has seen her become less shy and more independent.  Participating in Teen Club and Break Camps has even built Courtney’s confidence to take a drama class at her school, Wentzville Holt High School.  While she was nervous at first, Courtney overcame her stage fright and now loves to perform.  She has even appeared in two school plays and plans to continue in drama as she enters her sophomore year in the fall.

Through Teen Club and Break Camps, Courtney has also made plenty of friends, but making friends hasn’t always been easy at school and in other areas of her life.  Courtney has epilepsy and mild mental retardation, disabilities that are not outwardly visible.  Her parents have observed that making friends in her neighborhood or at school is sometimes difficult because people don’t understand that Courtney has disabilities.  “Her world would be a lot smaller without the Teen Club and Break Camp programs,” added Jamie, Courtney’s mom.

Courtney’s excitement to see her friends and her ability to make someone she’s talking to feel like the only person in the room are the characteristics that Family Center staff notice and admire most about her.  
“She is and always has been a wonderful young woman,” added Shannan Pohlman, Teen Club Coordinator.  “She has a great presence with her smile and general demeanor.”

Courtney’s kind nature will serve her well in her career.  Her plans are to take her love of swimming and of reading and incorporate them into a dual career as a lifeguard and school librarian.  The opportunity to help people in these careers is one of the main reasons she plans to pursue them.

“I love to help people,” said Courtney.  “It makes me feel good and happy.”