The scent of sunscreen fills the air, a symphony of people slapping mosquitos away surrounds you, through your sunglasses you can see 100 children running around like chickens with their heads cut off, you take a sip of your cold pop (something the kids can’t have) and watch. You’re a camp counselor.Like many Greeks, I spend most of my summers at camp. My love affair with camp counseling started in the seventh grade, when I was given a herd of six year-olds to look after for the week. They ran on the walls. Literally. As much as I loved my kiddos, counseling is hard, hard work and I could have used a few tips to help me manage my bunch of rugrats. Whether you’re a seasoned counselor or this summer will be your first time, it’s important to keep a few things in mind:
1. "Go in with the
right mind set. The goal is to make students feel welcomed and to have a great
time!” Whitney Wilkinson, Tri Delta
2. Bring hand
sanitizer.
3. Always know at
least three games that can be played at any time without any supplies; it will
save you at some point during a session.
4. Never sacrifice
progress for process. If a student takes the opportunity to open up, let them.
You can catch up on the rest of your lesson later.
5. Take a buddy.
6. If you bring
expensive sunglasses, you will lose them. Bring a couple cheapies from Walmart.
7. Turn negatives
into positives: instead of saying “don’t run” or “stop talking” say “please, walk” and “listen, while I’m speaking."
8. Break through
moments happen when you least expect it. Don’t get discouraged.
9. The goofier the
game, the better it is to watch.
10. If you wear
every friendship bracelet you’re given, you’re going to have a weird tan line.
Do it anyways.
11. When you’re
given the opportunity to sleep, sleep.
12. On that note,
sometimes you can sacrifice a shower to get 10 more minutes of sleep. Hey, it’s
camp.
13. If you hear
campers bullying, even if they’re not your own, intervene.
14. No makeup equals no
problems.
15. Bring sandals to
wear in the showers.
16. If you’re not
cheesing during camp songs, you’re not doing it right.
17. “Don't be
surprised if the kids change your life more than you change theirs.” Kristal Williams,
Chi-O.
18. Never be alone
with a camper. Even if nothing bad happens, it makes you vulnerable to a lot of
risks.
19. Chacos tan line?
You mean, badge of honor.
20. Learn the other
counselors’ real names. You can’t find them on Facebook using their camp
names.
21. You’re going to
have to be the hero who kills spiders, scorpions and other creepy crawlies.
Just accept this fact, now.
22. Know some name
games. Whether you hate them or love them, you’re going to need them.
23. Love your
campers with all your heart—they might not get as much love as they deserve at
home.
24. Make your
campers drink water every time they are near water.
25. Pack extra
socks.
26. Oh, you lost
your voice from cheering during field days? Congrats, your campers love you.
27. Keep the lint
from your laundry to use to start a fire, it helps speed up the process.
28. Don’t be afraid
to be goofy! In fact, the goofier you are, the more your campers love you.
29. Know when
to take things seriously. The ropes course is not the time to fool around.
30. Camp is for the
campers—don’t ever make it about you.
31. Always, always
have a bottle of water on you. If you don’t need it, then one of your campers
certainly will.
32. Camp friendships
are so special—deep, yet fleeting. Cherish them.
33. Always follow
through on what you say you’ll do. Your campers will lose trust in you if you
keep making promises you can’t keep.
34. Teach your
campers cheers early, when field day comes around you’ll be thankful that you
did.
35. You’re making
about a dollar an hour. So what? You’re getting paid in memories and
experiences. Don’t ever forget that.
36. Ninety percent of
injuries can be taken care of with an ice pack, a band aid and some water.
37. During that other 10 percent, the nurse just became your new best friend.
38. Come up with
some fun new versions of “Boom Chicka Boom.” I guarantee you’ll sing it.
39. "Soak up every moment with a camper because you never know the impact that they will have on you and vice versa." Annie Jo Gilbert, Phi Mu
40. On that note,
try to spend your counselor breaks playing with the campers. They notice which
counselors choose to be their friend.
41. First rule: don’t
die.
42. Give your camp’s
address to friends and family, you’ll be craving contact from the real world.
43. Make your
campers wear sunscreen—the spray kind is easiest for quick application.
44. Wear sunscreen, too.
45. If you don’t own
something that’s tie dyed, can you even call yourself a real camp counselor?
46. Sometimes, you’re
going to try to convince yourself that swimming in the river counts as a
shower. It doesn't.
47. You’re going to
miss camp once you get back home, but don’t worry, it’ll be there for you next
summer.
48. Catch up on the
news when you get home. You probably missed something important in the last
couple of months (weeks, days).
49. “Be real with
your students, take the time to learn their story and invest in them. You will
be surprised how incredible your students are when you get to know their story!
Most importantly, have fun! While being a camp counselor you receive the chance
to empower someone to change the world. Seize the moment," Chance Imhoff, SAE
50. Wake up every
morning and be thankful. You have the best job in the world.
