This is my first year ever being involved in a summer camp. I never went as a kid and never really considered being a counselor until a few months ago. This summer has been such a wonderful experience and I wish it was something that I did sooner. I never realized how spending my summer with a bunch of high strung, overly competitive children could impact my life.
1. You're getting paid to be a kid all over again
Rain or shine, there's always something to do. I can't remember the last time I played four-square on a blacktop or even threw a dodgeball. As we get older, I think we forget to keep playing just for the fun of it. Working a summer camp helped me remember the days I could play outside for hours and be completely content with life.
2. You get to make new friends with other counselors and learn from them as well
Some counselors I knew before starting camp, and others I didn't. It's cool to see a group of people come together that share a passion for kids. It's also really neat to see the different approaches that other counselors take with the kids. It's great to have such a wide variety of personalities in your staff because it's more likely that every kid will be able to connect with at least one counselor.
3. It's a reminder that there is some innocence left in this world
Nothing makes me smile more than some of the things that come out of my campers mouths. While yes, generations have changed even since I was 10 years old, these kids still manage to find curiosity in the littlest things and I love it.
4. A day at camp is a day that lets you escape from “real life”
No matter the kind of day you're having, or the stress you're under, camp is like another planet. It's a different world where people only know what you let them know. It's an escape from the problems that this world gives. Camp is an eight hour break from your “real life” and it lets you have fun and focus on camp life.
5. You learn the littlest things can make a child’s day
Whether it's saying good morning, or talking to a camper about what they did that weekend, they smile. There's a lot more that goes into camp than just games and crafts. It’s super important that you build relationships with your kids. The more time and effort you put into a relationship, the more you learn. You learn how to handle them when they're upset, you know what makes them happy, and you know what makes them mad. By learning these things about your campers, you can develop a better understanding of all their personalities.
6. The littlest thing a camper does can also make your day
As mentioned before, my campers make me laugh. Some days at camp can get pretty miserable. It's hot. Everyone is cranky and there's no room for us to go inside. But through it all, the kids will still manage to lift your mood. Whether it's a funny conversation, or watching a camper picking flowers in the outfield during a kickball game, they never fail to make me smile.
7. While being a camp counselor may not seem like a prestigious job, you are given the opportunity to impact a child's life
The sad truth is, you're not going to like every camper. There are going to be kids that drive you nuts and never listen despite the constant punishments. However, it is critical to remember that whether or not you like a child, they look up to you. They admire you and they value your opinion of them. While being a counselor may seem like a glorified babysitting job, it's so much more. You have the ability to help kids and make them realize how special they are. Each kid is unique and you will have your favorites, but please remember that they are young and impressionable and each of them is special in their own way.
