You're working with kids all summer, making little to no money, spending your days wearing flannel and smelling like campfire, bug spray and sunscreen. Sometimes it feels like you're working a pretty thankless job as you run around with kids about 23 hours a day five to six days a week and you never quite get enough sleep or time off, so it seems.
I know there are many other places I could be working that would have better hours and would have paid me much more, and it's hard to explain the reasoning of working at camp sometimes. I can never come up with the right words to answer questions or respond to concerns, especially if the questioner has not worked at camp before.
I could give you my reasons for spending this summer in the woods with 25 crazy people and hundreds of kids, but why should you take just my word for it?
A week or so ago I posed this question that I had been pondering to some fellow summer staff members:
"Tell me in two sentences or less why, out of every other job, did you choose to work at camp this summer?"
Michelle, Worship leader
"Because this place nurtured my faith and I want to pour into others."
Chris, staff counselor
#CampisforCampers
Dianna, counselor
"Because I'm just fine getting paid a little less to do work that is a lot more important."
Kristjan, counselor
"Because how many other jobs pay you to hang out with kids, go paint-balling, swim, play night games, shoot archery & BB guns and engage in cabin discussion, all while watching them grow in their faith?"
Austin, program
"Cause God."
Alicia, counselor
"Because I get to share God's love with kids and serve the Lord!"
Luke, counselor
"To make an impact in kid's lives.
Maddie, program
"Working at camp provides a unique opportunity to do the Lord's work while being paid to have fun!!!"
Cody, counselor
"To help kids get closer to God and help them to strengthen their relationship with God."
Kali, counselor
"You get paid to be weird and it's amazing to hear how the kids have learned about Jesus! #campisforthecampers"
Nate, program
"Camp offers a safe and loving environment perfect for ministering to kiddos and having fun."
Becca, counselor
"I work at camp because I get paid to have fun and play with kids all day. But more than that it is honestly just the most rewarding work I have ever done."
Shelby, staff counselor
"Why not? I get to live in the woods with 25 of the coolest humans and share Jesus with tons of campers."
Andrew, counselor
"Camp has always been where I feel the most at home."
Serenity, office, full time staff
"Seeing the smiles on the campers' faces when they meet their counselors makes all the phone calls, emails, report printing, and late nights worth it. And living like a hermit in the woods has its perks."
Josh, counselor
"The people are amazing and the beautiful creation we get to work in."
Kaitlyn, counselor
"You get to grow in your faith and build everlasting relationships."
Maggie, counselor
"I want people to know Jesus; nothing else matters."
It's worth it, He's worth it. Nothing else matters.
