Every summer thousands of young adults across the world choose to leave home behind for a few months and change their address to that of a summer camps. We trade our bedrooms for cabins, become the soul source of care for hundreds of children, and form friendships with our co-workers that will last a lifetime. Along the way, we all experience these five moments, whether they are good or bad, which shape the summer to be the best one of our lives
1. Unimaginable Emergencies
Campers getting little scrapes is a daily occurrence that you learn to deal with like a pro. You are basically one giant first-aid kit. But what happens when your child does something ridiculous like drink bug spray because their friend stole their shoe? Obviously, you freak out internally, handle the situation with the nurse, and then later that night, go to your staffers and say, “You will never guess what my camper did today”.
2. Crying Sessions
Any hour of the day, anywhere, anyone; crying does not discriminate. It could be your camper or it could be you. Working at camp and constantly being responsible for children all while still having real world problems can be extremely stressful, but luckily, your friends are always there. The biggest thing I learned this summer was to ask for what you need and if that’s a hug and a tissue, so be it.
3. Deep Conversations
These are the best conversations. There is nothing more special than having one of your campers completely open up and confide in you. It makes you feel like you’ve done something right and shows you the impact you are having on them. The same goes for your fellow staff. Some of the best conversations you will have will be the ones where you lying on the bathhouse floor at midnight.
4. Sweating Everywhere
Is it sweat or did you just get out of the river? Enough said.
5. Unbreakable Bonds
Never in your life will you meet a more selfless, brave, and insane group of people than those who choose to spend eight weeks working at summer camp. I think that it is these three characteristics that tie us all together in a way that is unlike any other type of community. Whether they are an hour away or across the world, camp friends will always be there, no matter what.
I am incredibly grateful for the time I spent working at my summer camp, Camp Pecometh. The amazing people I worked alongside and the campers I counseled touched my life in ways I never expected when I showed up in June. It is hard to explain, it is just a camp thing.
