Summer of 2017 was my first time in the workforce. Instead of fitting customers at American Eagle or stocking shelves in some supermarket, I decided to help really small people: kids that is. All from kindergarten to fifth grade.

A camp counselor is more than some cliche job. It is seriously hard work, especially since we are spending more time with the kids during the day than their parents.

If you’re looking for some easy job for summer 2018, being a camp counselor is not for you. If you’re crazy enough like I was, here are some tips to make summer 2018 the best summer ever.

1. This day is going to seem like eight hours or 80 hours. There is no in between.

By the time the day starts, you're wondering what you got yourself into. The kids are running and asking you to chase them, or my favorite, play cops and robbers. Pro tip: Kids of any age like cops and robbers so it will help pass the time between morning play and opening ceremony.

2. Am I missing a camper already?

I had at least 15 kids for each of my kid groups. When we say, "it's time to pack up," chances are you'll have a straggler who won't get in line. Keeping young kids in line is like herding cats, so stay patient. At my camp, we play a game called "Soldier" when the kids are in line. Head straight, arms to the side and walking forward. This will get them to walk like a pro.

3. Baby shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo.

One of my favorite camp songs. If you've never heard it before, find it on YouTube. Plus, the kids like doing the little shark dance.

4. Are we seriously sharing food right now?

Sharing food is frowned upon in Camp Halfmoon. You'll most likely have a set of best friends who will share their goldfish or two boys who want to trade.

5. Oh no, the first crier of the day.

Crying happens almost every day. You'll have repeat criers. In the times they aren't crying, it feels like a bomb is about to go off.

6. I really don’t have the strength to play sharks and minnows.

Sharks and minnows is fun in gym class, but not necessarily so if this is the fifth time this week you've had to play it. Combined with 85-degree weather and 84 percent humidity, running is awful.

7. What time is lunch?

Even if snack was two hours ago, it feels like you haven't eaten all day. When campers are fighting, you just really want to eat some trail mix.

8. Camper, I’m really glad you like me, but you really have to go on the scavenger hunt.

It's awesome when a camper picks you as their favorite counselor, but if you let them stay with you they'll hang on your arm for the rest of the summer. Trust me, I know from experience.

9. It is so hot.

There are rare instances where we're inside. Those are only when there is thunder and lightning. Even if it's extremely humid, you'll be running outside. When you don't have pool time for the day, the heat really is exhausting. Drink lots of water or you can easily get heat stroke.

10. Awwww, a kindergarten couple. Kids are so cute.

We're supposed to stop this, but it's hard to punish it when it's so adorable. It's usually the quiet ones that pair up with the trouble-makers.

11. Pool time? Thank goodness.

Pool time can be a godsend. The cold water feels especially nice when you have been sweating like a pig all day. You WILL sweat buckets.

12. Kids take so long to change.

There isn't one reason why kids take so long. Campers will be talking to their friends, playing with their bathing suits or looking for their missing goggles. They even wait to drip-dry.

At our camp, there is a time crunch between each activity. What we usually do is set a timer for five minutes and make it a game. The camper who changes first wins. Everything is faster when you make it a game.

13. How is it possible to lose underwear?

We go through three storage bins of missing things per week. The weirdest thing kids lose is underwear, but it happens EVERY single day.

14. Who is JoJo Siwa? I feel so old.

One day at camp, I was told I looked like her, so naturally I had to look her up. Apparently, she is a kid dancer and singer with 6.5 million followers on Instagram. She appeared on "Dance Moms," she has two YouTube channels and she has her own clothing and shoe line. She even has a bedding line at Bed Bath and Beyond. Her "iconic" look is a single ponytail with a bow. Whatever happened to Lizzie McQuire?

15. Why can't everyone agree on one game?

Fighting over games is a theme at my camp either over board games or outdoor games. "Kids Trivial Pursuit" and Sneaky Statues are biggies. We have a stack of games in the office, but we have only one of each. Many times, kids are left out because there are too many people playing one game.

16. Card games are my best friend.

When they can't agree on a game, play cards. They usually are interested in learning any card game, but try not to find something too complicated. Card games pass the time when they're waiting to go home.

17. I can’t wait for camp tomorrow.

No matter how hard the day was, you will want to always come back. It is even easier if you have a great co-counselor. Turning the kids from crying at the beginning of the day to not wanting to go home at the end of the day is our goal.