Let me start by saying that, like most college students, I need to spend much of my summer working and saving money. There are so many jobs I could do where I would make ton of money, especially if I worked somewhere where I could earn tips on top of my hourly wage.

With that said, working at a summer camp for a little less than minimum wage is the best decision I have ever made. I'm not exactly sure why it's legal to pay less than minimum wage, but I do know that it has something to do with it being seasonal employment. I also know, that I don't really care if I could make more money somewhere else.

I've worked at a lot of different places over the past few years, most of those jobs were retail based. I've sold food, I've folded towels, I've answered phones, and I've worked in customer service. I've never had a job that I've hated, but I've never been excited to work before either.

It was always something I just had to do, and I was lucky when I made friends with my co-workers.

S ummer camp is a completely different story.

For the second summer in a row, I have the pleasure of working as a photographer at a local summer camp. I work pretty long hours and I'm usually completely exhausted at the end of every day. I don't make a ton of money, but the other benefits make every second of hard work worth it.

For starters, I get to spend every work-day outside.

Yes, I really mean every single day. Monday through Friday, rain or shine, I'm running around outside. I get to take the camera out on canoes, sit on the edges of docks, crawl across the fields of grass, and wander around in the gardens. Nothing boosts my mood like spending time outside.

I get to spend every day doing what I love.

I don't remember when exactly I decided photography was for me, but I've seen home videos from when I was as young as four years old where all I would do is ask to hold the camera. As I got older I saved up to buy my first DSLR, and started doing photoshoots with my friends.

When this summer camp offered me the job and told me to think about it for a few days, I took the job on the spot. At the time, I took the job just to get some experience with photography while also getting to spend time outside. What I didn't know, is that I would fall in love with photographing these kids.

Ok, so that could come across the wrong way, so let me explain.

In photographing friends and family, I quickly realized that most people get super uncomfortable as soon as you pull out a camera. People act differently, carry themselves differently, and sometimes even look different as soon as you pull out a camera. That is absolutely not the case with the campers I get to photograph.

When I walk around camp with my telephoto lens, I get to blend into the background and observe. I watch kids catch their first fish, try a high ropes course, shoot a bow and arrow, play field games, and make new friends. With every click of my shutter I get to caption pure, unfiltered emotion. From awe, to joy, to surprise, there is nothing better than capturing such genuine reactions.

I get to be in an environment that is full of positive energy.

I get to be surrounded by people who are supportive and encouraging. So many of the staff members I have met at camp are genuine, kind, and thoughtful people.

It doesn't matter how much money I make, because working at camp is the best thing I could do for my health and even for my future. It is good for my mind, my body, and my soul. No amount of money I could make at another job would be nearly as valuable as the experiences, memories, and positive energy I earn from working at camp.