I am writing my essay for the common app and writing about my volunteering as a camp counselor at a summer camp. Should i refrain from using the specific name of my camper? (he was 9 years old)
First and last name definitely avoid. Just a first name - especially a common one that couldn’t be used to identify them - I’d think would be fine. Some camps may have certain policies though and you could call to check with them.
Invent a name. “There was this camper [I’ll call him “Jake”] …”
Yes, my D wrote her essay about a volunteer program for autistic children that she participated in. She discussed a specific child but did not use a name. The child is not the focus of the essay, your interactions with the child are, so his/her name is irrelevant.