Meet Our Day Camp Team: Barbie Fredrick
Barbie Fredrick, Early Learning Manager at the Sage YMCA, grew up in New Lenox, Illinois and currently lives in Crystal Lake with her family. She is passionate about early education and, in her heart, has always known she wanted to be a teacher. After her sons started elementary school, Ms. Barbie began her career in early childhood, joining the Sage Y’s Early Learning Program in 2015 while also continuing her education with a focus on early learning.
Q: What is your favorite part of working at the YMCA?
A: As I look around the preschool I see words that say, “You are the difference,” “A great place to grow,” and “Where work is play”. All of those words sum up my favorite part of working at Sage Y.
Q: What do you like most about the work that the Y does?
A: My preschool friends fill my bucket everyday with their laughter, stories, and hugs! Forming and nurturing relationships with individuals of all ages is who I am as a person. The Y provides a safe space for making connections whether it be within our community, our programs, or one-on-one.
Q: What is your favorite part about Day Camp at the Y?
A: My favorite part about Discovery Camp is field-trip Fridays. Whether we are staying on-site or going off-site via the Y bus, there is an extra level of excitement as we explore and embrace so many new opportunities TOGETHER. To be honest, the preschool campers just love riding in the bus as I drive along, and we sing “YMCA”.
Q: What is your favorite memory from Day Camp at the Y?
A: The Discovery Camp visit from Glowby the Bubbler. He was simply awesome.
Q: What are you most proud of in your career so far?
A: I am most proud of my dedication and commitment to the success of our preschool program. We have achieved and maintained the ExceleRate [Silver Circle of Quality] through the state of Illinois since April 2019. For the last three years, I have participated in a cohort of directors that receive quality improvement grant funding through [the Illinois Department of Human Services] (DHS), which makes early learning quality programming a top priority. We are truly preparing our preschoolers for success in school and life.
Q: What’s one thing people don’t know about you that they would be surprised to find out?
A: I participated in 4-H when I was younger. One year, after receiving the coveted top honor (blue ribbon), I was selected to model at the Illinois State Fair fashion show in an outfit of my own making. Admittedly, I may have had a little help with the sewing part; my mom is a very good seamstress. The experience of attending the state fair is a fond childhood memory.
Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be (and why)?
A: Teleportation. I am not a fan of driving long distances and driving over bridges scares me. I would use teleportation to travel everywhere.
Q: What’s the last song you listened to?
A: “If You Were Here” by the Thompson Twins (Sixteen Candles is my favorite movie).
Q: What’s one thing on your bucket list?
A: Owning an Audi Q8 or a Range Rover — fully loaded of course!
The YMCA of Metro Chicago believes in the power of play. We play for fun and for progress. Day Camp at the Y empowers Chicagoland youth to do mighty things — making friends, developing new skills, creating life-shaping experiences, and so much more!
Our experienced and talented counselors and staff are committed to making sure your camper experiences a full day of play, exploration, learning, and personal growth. Here at the Y, we want to show off our Day Camp team’s amazing talents and contributions to our community — and find even more talented, community-oriented individuals who want to work at the YMCA!