Bobbi Camp doesn’t do things halfway.
Since Strawberry Crest High School opened in 2009, Camp has been involved. She helped form the International Baccalaureate Parent Partnership at the school and has served as a board member, historian, vice president, senior class liaison and president for the organization.
But after seven years of Charger leadership, Camp is stepping down from her active roles.
“It’s the circle of life,” Camp said. “It’s not a task, it’s a hobby for me. I have served this community.”
Camp’s daughter, Hailey, graduated Tuesday, June 7. Camp’s son, Garrett, was part of the first four-year Crest graduating class of 2013. Both of her children were in IB, which spurred Camp’s involvement in the program.
“I was in the first freshman class at Countryside High School,” Camp said. “It was really cool. I think that’s part of why I have so much passion.”
With both children done with Crest, Camp is passing on her leadership — and her legacy — to the next group of dedicated parents.
Show Me the Money
This year, the IB Parent Partnership gave two $1,000 scholarships to students based on community service.
It’s the first time the partnership has awarded the scholarships — something Camp believes to be one of the organization’s greatest accomplishments in seven years.
“Our focus was to find things we could do that didn’t tax our parents and didn’t tax our kids,” Camp said. “Our focus has always been to provide for our kids without having to tax our kids.”
When Crest first opened its doors, scholarships weren’t an immediate priority. Camp and the rest of the partnership needed to establish the organization. They began by asking parent partnerships at King, Robinson and Hillsborough high schools for tips.
“Now, our group kind of sets the standard,” Crest Assistant Principal Tiffany Ewell said. Ewell is responsible for overseeing the school’s IB program. “Our budget has grown enough to allow for scholarships.”
Ewell said Camp has been the driving force of the partnership’s success.
“She handles things so professionally,” Ewell said. “It just looks effortless. I certainly know that she has a ton of wisdom and knowledge. She manages people very well.”
Camp said she acknowledged she wouldn’t be able to achieve her goals without a team of dedicated volunteers.
“It’s not just the teachers, it’s not just the kids,” Camp said. “It’s everything. There’s so much family in the whole thing.”
Charger Family
Camp works full-time as a paralegal in Tampa but has been volunteering for her kids’ schools since they were in kindergarten. At Crest, volunteerism ranges from 20 to 30 hours per week.
It has spanned from volunteering with Florida Strawberry Festival parking to gift wrapping at Toys“R”Us to selling SCHS magnets. The funds from sales have gone to supplies, professional developments for teachers and scholarships. Everything Camp does is to benefit “her kids.”
“Right now, I probably have 500 kids,” Camp said. “My time is what I have to give, and so I should give it. I
still keep up with the graduated students. We really do become friends and family. It helps when you’re passionate.”
“The way our program is received in the community is very much a product of the work she’s put in over the last seven years,” Ewell said. “She exudes positive energy for the school and the program.”
For Camp, it’s simply a matter of finding something you care about and sticking to it.
“I hope that’s one thing they (students) take away,” Camp said. “Don’t do anything halfway. All or nothing.”
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.