Springfield College East Campus Experience Leads Keeley Joyal '25

Mon, 01/26/2026 - 12:00

By: Damon Markiewicz

Springfield College alumna Keeley Joyal '25 is enjoying life as an Outdoor Instructor at the Frost Valley YMCA in Claryville, NY. Joyal recently graduated from the College after earning a bachelor's degree as a Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy major. She also minored in Art Therapy and Community Arts, while developing her leadership skills as a Pre-Camp leader, Leadership Training Conference (LTC) participant and facilitator and Pride Cares participant.

Joyal recently took some time to reflect on her magical journey at Springfield College, and how she is enjoying her career path after graduation.

What programs did you participate in at East Campus?

Keeley Joyal - At East Campus, I participated in Pre-Camp, Outdoor Pursuits, and Leadership Training Conference. In two of these programs, Pre-Camp and LTC, I later transitioned into a leader and facilitator. I also took the challenge course facilitation class as well as worked as an East Campus program facilitator for school groups.

How did these experiences help you as a student and person?

Keeley Joyal - Each of these programs have their own traditions that I cherish. They bring people together from all across campus for nothing that would typically link them together. Not based on major, or sport, or shared club; but for every reason beyond that. It allowed me to build genuine connections outside of the classroom and remind me that I have something to learn from everyone I interact with. These experiences shaped me as both a student and a person.

How did these East Campus experiences prepare you for your career?

Keeley Joyal - East Campus was home to many of the experiential learning opportunities presented to me while at Springfield. Every program that visits East Campus uses the space in a unique way and allows you to build your skillset in various realms of facilitation. Guiding first-year students in Pre-Camp gave me mentorship experience, participating in Outdoor Pursuits opened up new avenues of Outdoor Recreation, facilitating team-building for school groups taught me adaptability, and guiding a family during LTC allowed me to hone my communication skills. I would not be the professional I am today without the immersive experiences that East Campus provides.

What is your current job?

Keeley Joyal - I am currently working at Frost Valley YMCA in Claryville, NY as an outdoor instructor where I am responsible for the preparation and delivery of programs offered through the Environmental Education, Team Building, and Group and Family Retreats programs. On a weekly basis I guide hikes, teach ecology/watershed lessons, lead team-building initiatives, instruct creative programming, offer adventure and recreation education, and facilitate high and low rope elements.

How did your academic major prepare you?

Keeley Joyal - From my undergraduate experience in the Therapeutic Recreation major, I felt very prepared for this role. I feel as though this position combines many of the avenues of program development I had the chance to learn through Springfield College. In classes like therapeutic recreation programming, challenge course facilitation, child development, processes of therapeutic recreation, materials and methods of art therapy, and my full semester internship; I had the chance to take the recreation, team-building, and creative programming I developed with my peers and roll it right into my work with various populations here. At Springfield College, I was continually presented with the opportunity to put into action everything that we were learning in class and I've now seen that experience positively impact my facilitation skills.