For many of us going to summer camp is an innate part of growing up. And I'm sure that for a lot of those who attended summer camps idolization of your camp counselor's was also a surefire part of the summer camp experience. I fell into this category as a camper; I loved my counselors and dreamed of becoming one of them. And this summer that dream became a reality, but here are ten reasons why you shouldn't become a camp counselor:
1. You will make lifelong friends.
I'm only two weeks into my staff training, and campers haven't even come yet, and I know that the people I am working with this summer will be some of my closest friends for the rest of my life.
2. You get to work with a variety of age groups/
If your camp is anything like mine, you get to switch between what programs and thus ages you work with every week. And who knows, maybe you will fall in love with working with middle school students along the way!
3. You are always surrounded by nature.
Is there honestly anything better than getting paid to play in nature day in and day out? I don't think so.
4. You become a master fire builder.
This is a very handy skill to have, and one that once mastered does not easily go away. You can't go wrong with at least a little bit of fire building knowledge.
5. You get to do things you may never have done.
If you've never canoed before and have always wanted to try it summer camp is the place for you. If you've never eaten a meal over a fire, summer camp is the right fit. All in all, summer camp (and being a counselor) exposes you to a variety of new experiences that have the potential to change your life.
6. It disconnects you.
I am a self-proclaimed social media/phone addict and was nervous about the whole not having phones or service thing that came along with being a camp counselor. But two weeks in I can officially say that I am on my phone less, and my life is better because of it.
7. You get the raddest tan lines.
I'm proud of my tan lines, and you should be too.
8. It allows you to get better at thinking on your feet.
Although ideally there would be no problems, it is highly likely that problems will occur. And being a camp counselor tests your limits when it comes to quick critical thinking.
9. You learn a bunch of fun games and songs.
You never know, you might whip out the hippopotamus song in the middle of a social event. And there is never a wrong time to play Frogger.
10. It is life changing in all the right ways.
I can't think of a job that is more rewarding. The long hours and sunburns seem insignificant when I think of the people I get to work with and the lives I get to change because of my choice to become a camp counselor.
