A Proud Camp Massasoit Moment for Springfield College Alumna
The Camp Massasoit Humanics Award is presented for a positive attitude and willingness to help anyone who needed it.
By: Damon Markiewicz
Springfield College alumna Dina DeMico ’04, G’08, is a proud Camp Massasoit parent. She recently had the opportunity to enjoy a very special moment with her daughter, Sage, to conclude this year’s camp experience. Sage earned the prestigious Camp Massasoit Humanics Award for her positive attitude and willingness to help anyone who needed it. This honor was just another example of why Springfield College and Camp Massasoit are special to the DeMico family.
“I started to cry when I received the phone call that my daughter was going to receive this award,” explained DeMico. “Camp Massasoit and East Campus run deep into our family roots. My son also attended Camp Massasoit and earned the Humanics Award, and because my daughter looks up to her older brother, it was a goal of hers to earn the award as well. It was just so rewarding to see her receive the honor because I know it meant so much.”
For the DeMico family, attending Camp Massasoit is just another example of how they stay committed to being active and healthy. With both her son and daughter enjoying their time competing in youth sports, when the moment came to select a summer camp, DeMico was searching for a well-balanced camp for her kids. With her ties to Springfield College, Camp Massasoit was an easy decision.
“My kids are both athletes, so they're into youth sports and they play something every season,” explained DeMico. “When you get into the summer, I think there's such a heavy focus on kids continuing with sports camps, but we wanted to find a true camp feel and have a break from sports. Something outdoors that would develop those skills that they're not going to get playing soccer or basketball, or whatever the sport of choice might be. My son started at Camp Massasoit two years ago, and he absolutely loved it, and that continued with my daughter.”
The experience of Camp Massasoit has impacted the DeMico family in so many positive ways. Watching her kids make new friends and step outside of their comfort zone in a supportive way means everything to DeMico.
“To be back at East Campus and watch my kids really enjoy the entire experience at Camp Massasoit, it’s just awesome,” explained DeMico. “I have so much trust in the leadership and staff involved with Camp Massasoit, and as a parent, that’s all you want to see for your kids. To be in a supportive environment surrounded by great people.”
While enjoying the moments with her kids at Camp Massasoit, DeMico was able to reminisce about her own learning experiences at East Campus during her student days.
“Thinking back to the moments at East Campus, the one thing that stands out is the leadership training and bonding experiences you receive,” described DeMico. “I was involved in Outdoor Pursuits and New Student Orientation (NSO). I think back to the experience of NSO, and how the student-leaders are able to take a group of first-year students, and make a group of people who didn't know each other feel so close by the end of the three days. It’s what makes the College unique and special.”
DeMico is about to start her 20th year as a physical education and health education teacher at Minnechaug Regional High School in Wilbraham, Mass. Over the last two decades, she has been connected to both Minnechaug and Springfield College.
“I graduated from Minnechaug and Springfield College, so it’s been a very natural fit for me to stay connected to both schools,” explained DeMico. “I am still able to work with current students at Springfield College, so I can have the best of both worlds. It’s always a pleasure to work with current students from the College who are preparing for their teaching careers. I know when I am working with Springfield College students who are doing their pre-practicum or practicum, they are prepared because of the great job the faculty does in getting them out into classrooms right away.”
For DeMico, working with current students also gives her an opportunity to take a trip down memory lane and appreciate all of the great times she experienced as a student on the campus. The memories don’t go away, and the lessons and skills developed at the College are experiences that DeMico will always cherish.
“I truly think Springfield College makes people better,” explained DeMico. “It’s a small enough campus where I knew a lot of people shortly after starting there, but it was also big enough where I continued to meet new friends each year, some becoming my very best. You have faculty and staff who truly care about helping students.”
Starting with her time at Springfield College, and continuing on into her impressive professional career, DeMico is a huge believer in health and movement.
“I think that movement is not prescribed enough for happiness,” explained DeMico. “Obviously, Springfield College falls right into that way of thinking. What I try to model for my high school students is explaining to them, they don't have to be an athlete to find a way to love moving. And if they can love moving every day, everything else will benefit in their lives.”
What has benefitted DeMico is having Springfield College experiences in her life, which means being part of a community that values purpose, connection, and transformation. As DeMico has expressed, Springfield College is more than just a place to learn, it’s a place where lifelong friendships are formed, leadership is cultivated, and the spirit of service becomes second nature.
“Springfield College has made me a better person,” expressed DeMico. “I appreciate all of the lessons I learned there because I believe that the teacher, mom, and friend I am today is a result of what I learned on campus. Springfield College was the best decision I ever made.”
