If you’re anything like me, then you’ve spent your entire
summer working at a summer camp, and you have loved every minute of it. For me,
I spent eight weeks in Ridgecrest, North Carolina serving with FUGE Camps–a
Christian summer camp based out of LifeWay. You’ve spent the past two months or
so in a camp bubble loving on kids, building inseparable bonds with other staff
members, and having the time of your life. Not to mention all the spontaneous
adventures that summer camp holds! Now, summer is coming to an end, school is
starting back up, and you are going through some mad post-camp feels. Here are 20
signs that you, dear friend, are suffering from post-camp withdrawal!
1. You secretly miss waking up to campers outside your dorm.
It’s day one of camp for them and they are hype at 6
a.m. It’s day 29 of camp for you and you are tired and cranky. But, their joy
reminds you that camp is awesome and it’s going to be a fantastic day!
You got dressed in
three minutes, burned your throat on hot coffee, and forgot your Bible Study materials. You look ratchet. You feel ratchet. But, it's going to be a great day!
3. You miss "cranking it like a chainsaw" for the 800th time every day.
If you worked a Christian summer
camp, you know what I mean. But, if dancing like a total fool is what gets your
students to break down the walls and have some fun, then you will dance like a
total fool all day every day.
4. You miss the tan lines.
You complain about them all summer, but let’s be real–you’re a bronzed babe in the most “fashionable” way.
5. You miss the selfies.
No one takes as many selfies as camp counselors. It’s a socially acceptable part of our culture.
6. You miss all the free stuff.
Free t-shirts. Free hats. Free lanyards. Free backpacks. Free food. It’s all free and it’s all wonderful.
7. You miss being patriotic 24/7.
It doesn’t matter how you feel about this country. When you work camp, you are the most patriotic being on the planet. #MURICA
8. You miss matching 55 people every day.
Camp staff love to match 24/7. Especially when covered in shaving cream! How else are campers supposed to find you on the mountain?
9. You miss your staff anthem.
“Shut Up and Dance with Me” and “Bad Blood." It’s your anthem and you will scream it
loud and proud.
10. You miss the "camp look."
Sometimes it’s nice to wear shorts, t-shirts, Chacos, and no makeup 24/7, and it be socially acceptable. Sometimes it’s nice to rock a neon tutu and
glow in the dark lipstick.
11. You miss those good night sleeps.
Camp counselors know that you get the best nights of
sleep after working 17 hour days!
12. You worry about your campers.
That girl who told you she is struggling with an eating disorder. That guy who has parents going through a nasty divorce. Campers tell you some serious stuff, and you’re still wondering how they are doing long after the summer is over.
13. You miss running Mega Relay.
This is a little more specific to FUGE Camps (see cover photo). Regardless, you miss those crazy, messy, dirty and fun all camp games! Not only are they a total blast, but they unite campers as a team and celebrate all The Lord has done!
14. You miss your spot.
Every camp counselor has a “spot” off campus yet close to camp that keeps them sane. Mine was a local coffee shop called The Dripolator in Black Mountain, NC. It’s the best place for journalin’,
Bible readin’ and rechargin’ between sessions!
15. You miss serving.
Camp is exhausting and you have days where you just cannot handle people. But, camp is a service to students, parents, leaders, pastors, churches and the community. You just love serving them well by putting yourself aside and making sure they have the best week of their life.
16. You miss staff bonding.
Sometimes you just need to double fist some pizza, wash some coolers, or play indoor baseball while churches are boo-hooing over Jesus to maintain your sanity.
17. You miss the "Are you dating ______ boy on staff?"
Nope. I’m not. Boys are gross. It’s not allowed by contract. But, I love the stories these kids come up with about my life.
18. You miss your home.
There’s nothing like driving onto Ridgecrest’s campus at 10 p.m., hearing peace and quiet, and being greeted by the “I’m home” feeling. Your campus isn’t just a place you work camp. It’s your home.
19. You miss your family.
Camp staff isn’t just a team of college kids. It’s a
community of young adults knit together as a family. They are your people, and
you miss them. Camp friends are the best of friends.
20. You miss watching Jesus move radically daily.
If you work Christian summer camp, this is why you work camp. You work camp because you understand that camp is a Divine opportunity for the Holy Spirit to intercede in the lives of students and adults. You work camp because you understand that you are nothing but a chess piece being used so that teenagers and adults can come to know your sweet, sweet Jesus.
