How Majoring in Health Communications Made One Senior a Better Camp Counselor

By Kennedy Berry ’27

For Otterbein senior Kat Coutant, summer camp means more than cabins and campfires. It means community, connection, and a place where kids with chronic illnesses can just be kids. 

Kat, a Health Communication major with a minor in Equine Therapies and Activities, has spent the past six years volunteering at a camp for youth with disabilities and medical conditions in Mount Gilead, Ohio. The camp, part of the Serious Fun Children’s Network founded by actor Paul Newman, gives children with health challenges a chance to experience the joy of summer in an accessible and supportive environment. 

“I started volunteering in 2019,” Kat said. “I chose the week focused on rheumatology and gastrointestinal conditions because I have rheumatoid arthritis myself. I thought it would be special to be around kids who understood that.”

That first week, Kat arrived as a nervous new counselor. She quickly realized camp was unlike any place she had ever been. Each week is built around a specific diagnosis, and volunteers from all walks of life come together to support campers through activities like fishing, swimming, and ropes courses.

Over time, Kat became a familiar face at camp. She returned for weekend family camps in the fall and spring and eventually took on a behind the scenes internship with the camp’s marketing and communications team. 

“It takes a whole village to make camp happen,” she said. “There are counselors, activity leaders, medical staff, and volunteers all working together. I didn’t realize how much teamwork went into it until I saw it from the inside.” 

Kat’s favorite part of camp is watching the transformation that happens over the week. Many campers arrive nervous and unsure, some spending time away from their families for the first time. But by the end of the week, those same kids are laughing, dancing, and conquering challenges they never thought possible. 

“I love seeing that change,” Kat said. “A camper who was quiet on the first day might end up catching five fish or doing the ropes course by the end of the week. It is amazing to watch their confidence grow.” 

For family weekends, Kat says her favorite moments are when parents finally get a chance to relax. “A lot of families travel long distances to be there,” she said. “They don’t often get time to just breathe. We try to make it special for them too.” 

Kat believes her studies at Otterbein have deepened her understanding of communication and empathy, skills that fit perfectly with her work at camp. “Health communication is all about connection,” she said. “At camp, we learn to adapt, to listen, and to put campers first. Those are lessons I will carry with me forever.” 

Throughout her years at camp, Kat has also developed a new appreciation for life. “These kids have taught me so much,” she said. “They see life differently. Even on tough days, they find joy in the smallest things. It really puts everything into perspective.” 

When asked what she would say to kids who are looking for a sense of belonging, “You are not alone,” she said. “There are communities out there waiting for you. Camp was that place for me. It showed me how powerful connection can be.”