Dear Campers,
Nothing says summer camp counselor more than reeking of an odd combination of chlorine, dirt, and sunscreen. I’m often asleep by 8 p.m. because I’ve spent the day playing my 9,000th game of red-light-green-light and catching you at the bottom of the water slide in Pool 4. I recite the phrases “no splashing” and “I said walk not run,” in my sleep for three months straight. My summers are spent serving you hot dogs on Wednesdays, pizza on Fridays and trying to snag the red juice for snack every day (because we all know that’s the best juice at camp.) Although, spending the large majority of my summer chasing you around the play ground means crazy tan lines and dirt under my usually manicured nails, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
You see, even though it’s my job to make sure you have an amazing summer, you’re the ones who fill my summer with laughter and smiles. And even though I’m suppose to teach you things like how to swim in the deep end and how to shoot a bow and arrow, the lessons I learn from you are so much better.
You have taught me how to find comfort in the chaos. Whether it’s sneakers in the pool, a worm in the bunk or a another brutally honest comment about my singing skills, you keep me on my toes all summer long. By the time August hits, I’ve realized there’s no use crying over spilt chocolate milk because what seems like the end of the world during morning announcements will be laughed off by afternoon free swim. I know there’s not much we can’t handle and there’s even less that’s worth ruining a perfectly good camp day.
You have taught me that the little things are what matters the most because those are what keep us going. I always admire the excitement you show after a goal in soccer and how earning a deep water band can make your entire week. But then again, I’m never shocked at how happy I am when one of you hand me a plucked Dandelion from the athletics field, which I keep a running collection of all summer long. Looking back, I realize that these little moments and mementoes are woven together to create some of the best summers I’ve ever had.
Most importantly, you have taught me how important it is to be yourself. You may be tiny little humans but there’s nothing small about your personalities. From the Gaga Pit champion who insists on sprinting everywhere to the little artist who can’t wait to get to arts and crafts, you all vary in more ways then I can count. You all bring something special to the (lunch) table and with out you our group would be ten times different and a million times less spectacular.
So, before I end I want to ask you to do me a favor (besides keeping your cubby area clean.) Please stay curious and never lose your authenticity. Keep finding joy in the little things and don’t let society ever talk you out of being your self. You have more to offer this world than you could ever realize and are capable of anything if you put your mind to it. When you need to be reminded of this, just read this letter and remember you have at least one person who will always believe in you.
Sincerely,
Your Summer Camp Counselor
P.S: Thanks for teaching me more than I could ever teach you.
