Many people say that you need to have the patience of a saint and really love what you do to be a camp counselor. It is true. The job is tough and the kids can get annoying. Every counselor has their pet peeves and there are a lot...

1.Complaints about the weather

From "I'm hot" to "it's too cold in here" as a counselor you hear it all. The problem is that the kids expect you to be able to fix their weather problems. They want you to stop the rain and cool them off, but it is not always possible.

2. Rule Breaking after Discussing the Rules

You always have those campers that are so disrespectful or spacey that they break the rules, even though you reviewed them not ten minutes ago.

3. Camper impatience

When the kids want something and "want it now" they can be very vocal about it. From throwing a tantrum or coming up to you every 30 seconds to ask.

4. Unnecessary screaming

When you are playing a game or walking outside and hear a shrill screech, it can make your heart skip a beat. However, campers scream when they see a bee (or any other type of bug for that matter), when they are running from the ball while playing, or just because the mood strikes them.

5. Grabbing things from your hands

With some kids, nothing says "I want it and I am going to have it" quite like taking the schedule (or whatever else it is) from your hands before they have even finished asking if they can see it.

6. Blatant lying

There is always that one kid. You can ask them a question like "Have you already had snack?" or "Are you out?" and even though you know that the answer is yes, they respond with a resounding "no".

7. Not listening and having to repeat

When you go over instructions, rules, or other important information and the campers ask you 2 minutes later what they should be doing.

8. Lack of personal space

Many kids do not know this concept. Hugging, climbing, and contorting their counselors are some camper favorites when it comes to activities.

9. Asking for food

From a cool treat you packed for yourself for lunch to camp-provided snack, the kids always want more food. Once they get it, many will ask for seconds.

10. Transition times

Take forever. Ever try to change a kid into a bathing suit or out of one? A child under the age of six will take 15 minutes and require assistance, a child between the ages of seven and nine will take ten minutes, and a kid between the age of nine and twelve will take eight minutes. Why does it take so long? They get distracted.

11. Asking for unnecessary help

It is completely understandable that campers will need help sometimes but they don't always need help. Even though they ask for help constantly, they may not always need it. For instance, I had a nine year old ask me to help her write her name. She did not need my assistance.

12. "I forgot"

When you have places to go and people to see, this phrase can be one of the most frustrating. "I forgot my water bottle." "I forgot my lunch". It gets old really fast.

There are many things that annoy camp counselors, but the kids' smiles is what keeps me coming back year after year. I like knowing that I made a difference in their lives. And I have.