Working at camp does amazing things for you, and also some weird things. We started habits during the summer that just stuck with us for good. Summers are filled with memories from working at camp to ones where we just hang out with our coworkers doing silly things like game nights or going out for a celebratory beer at the end of camp. One thing we learn after summer camp is that self care is important, so we improve our habits.

1. You give options to friends and animals.

I said to my dog one night that she had the option to go in her crate/house or come lie down by the bed. She chose to lie down by my bed. My coworker used options one night with me when I sat down on a street corner.

2. You hit up your co-workers/friends for an end-of-the-week beer.

The best way to end the week with a drink and a vent session.

3. You experiment with face masks every night.

Your skin is one of the main victims of camp when it comes to kids painting your face, pieing you in the face with whipped cream, and being in the sun all the time.

4. You feel weird wearing clothes that aren't camp clothes.

Like, what if I run into a camper wearing a super tight dress or a crop top? (That actually happened to me.)

5. You make lunches your mom would be proud of.

You've got your protein, your fruit, your veggies, your carbs, and a treat.

6. You call all your coworkers by their camp name.

It's their real name because of the summer you spent together. It weirds you out when you call them by their actual name.

7. You go to bed super early.

When was the last time during the school year where you went to bed at 8:30 p.m.?

8. You wake up at the crack of dawn on the weekends.

Sleeping in is kind of non-existent after camp.

9. You wear shoes you'd wear for camp all the time.

They were your friends all summer. I don't want them to feel sad if I don't wear them. I wear my Chacos all the time now.

10. When in doubt, you go get a protein smoothie.

Naturally, what I would do every morning.

11. You hang out with your co-counselors all the time.

They're the ones who supported you with kids who were their challenges, the ones who saw your really goofy side, and the ones who laughed till you had tears coming out of your eyes.

12. You don't change your coworker's name's in your phone to their actual names.

Like, who is Myriah? I don't know a Myriah? Oh, that's Orca.

13. You remember all the inside jokes that never get old.

In one training, we wrote on posters about certain things and one of my co-counselors said one thing I wrote looked like I said "supressed." You might not know what means, but I will never forget it.

14. You introduce your camp friends by their camp name.

I can't tell you how many weird looks I've gotten from my other friends when I say my friend's name is Starfire or Honcho.