Ah, summer jobs. We all have them because, let's face it, we all need them. There is one job, however, that definitely tops all. No, it's not the highest-paying job in the world (I actually volunteer at mine) nor is it always the easiest. You could spend your whole summer at one, or just a week. Whatever the case may be, being a camp counselor is one of the best jobs you could ever have. Here are seven reasons why:
1. Dress code
While all your friends are "doing it up" in suits or skirts and working in a cubicle, you get to rock the T-shirt and jean shorts look all week long. Casual Fridays for you consists of gym shorts, and the only footwear you need to own is a pair of sneakers, maybe a pair of flip-flops if you're headed for any sort of water. The absolute best part though? No makeup! If you're running around sweating your butt off, then all of the eyeliner and foundation you put on is going to melt away anyway. Besides, who are you trying to impress? The kids you're watching? Nah, let your skin get some rays of Vitamin D and embrace ... no, FLAUNT, the makeup-free look.
2. Your co-counselors
Some you'll get along with, some you won't. But either way your co-counselors are the reason you don't go completely insane when you have that one camper who seems to eat solely sugar for breakfast before he or she ends up in your possession. They get your jokes, which your campers are too young to understand (knock-knock jokes will only be funny for so long). You even develop a sort of secret language which only consists of solid eye contact, eyebrow raises and giggles. They have your back when a camper doesn't want to obey the rules (I guess there is strength in numbers after all), and at the end of every single long, exhausting day, they are the ones who know exactly how you feel and are willing to do it all over again come morning.
3. Free food
No cash, no credit cards, no dining dollars, no meal swipes?! Yep, some things in life are actually free. Three meals a day, every day and, more often than not, all-you-can eat are one of the perks of working as a camp counselor. Is it a 5-star meal? Nope. But it's food, and it's there, so appreciate it and embrace all the carbs each meal has to offer.
4. The Great Outdoors
Remember how recess was savagely and unfairly taken away after elementary school was over? And then for the next seven years you were forced to sit in classroom after classroom for almost seven hours a day? Well, it's redemption time! Now you can spend almost 12-hours a day being outside during the summer and get paid to do it! You can run, hike, swim, kayak, play sports and even eat outside with all the fresh air and sunshine at your disposal. What better way to spend your summer?
5. Camp outs
If your summer camps as a kid were limited to sport day camps (like mine were) then you too know the pain of missing out on one of the most memorable events in your lifetime. There is no way to describe the feeling of sitting around a fire, cuddled up in a sweatshirt, sweatpants and socks (if you so choose), and roasting (golden brown, not burnt) marshmallows (over the red coals, not the flames). So many stories and singalongs are shared, and there are even moments when everyone is completely silent and just staring, as if mesmerized, by the flickering flames. The fire dies down (or the s'mores supplies are gone, whichever comes first), and then everyone crawls to their tent and snuggles into sleeping bags, waiting for the sun to rise. It is truly one of the best feelings ever, and if you can ignore the hard rocky ground and the bugs of the outdoors, you're good to go!
6. Getting Your Daily Workout In
Who needs treadmills or free weights when you have campers who constantly want piggyback rides, and you're constantly walking or running everywhere you go?! Spending every ounce of your energy into keeping up with kids who are twice as young as you provides you with a workout every single day, as you need to keep them entertained as well as safe. You'll be surprised how sore you are after each day, so make sure you stretch and ice!!
7. The Kids
Aren't they the whole reason why you're there in the first place? Whether it's teaching them sports for a week or being their caretaker for the entire summer, your campers are the true reason you love your job. They are funny, smart and put away all the constant adult worries that you have, making you remember what it's like to be a kid again. Not only that, but you become their role model and, quite possibly, their best friend, especially if they are super-shy. Your campers will adore you, whether you believe it or not, and you create an impact in their lives that no family member or friend can create. Be prepared when camp does come to an end to exchange tearful goodbyes, phone numbers, e-mail and home addresses, because your campers are not going to want to leave their favorite place and going to want to stay in touch with you for life. There's nothing more rewarding than creating that impact, and no other job other than a camp counselor can do it.
