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6 things i've learned about kids from my campers

Kids are some of the best and worst people.

Maille Dolan

Jul 24, 2018

College of Charleston

Maille Dolan

Spending eight hours a day five days a week in a gym cramped with kids 5-13 really teaches you a lot about their personalities. Below are a few of the things I have learned while talking and interacting with them. The kids I work with are some of the most genuine and unique I have met.

1. They really have no filters

This includes cussing for the older kids and little kids just telling you the first thing that comes to their mind. There really is not much thought about how it would make someone feel when they say things. I had a little girl come up to me, after being outside in the sun all day, and the first thing she said to me was "Your face is really red". But this also makes kids some of the most honest people you will ever meet.

2. They say some of the funniest things you will ever hear

You learn to really keep your ears open on the job and sometimes you catch little snippets of the most eye-watering comments, and some of them are even said directly to you. A kid once came up to me and said "I'm tearing up but my tears are in my eyeballs so you can't see them"

3. They all just really want some love and attention

They all want to show you the cool flips they can do in the pool or their awesome jump, that leads to splashing you. Sometimes it is how many baskets they can make during free time. But most often, they just want to hold your hand on the walk to the pool or they want you to run through the gym with them. It is almost like you are their second parent while they are away from their real ones.

4. They do some of the strangest things

One day at lunch we had a seven year old squeeze ketchup into her bowl of noodles to eat.

5. They will break your heart sometime

During craft the other day a little girl began crying because she ruined her art project she was working on and proceeded to tell another counselor, when asked why he was crying: "Because dreams don't come true! I want to be an artist, but I'm bad at art."

6. They are easily entertained

It can go from wanting to just sit on the floor and color all the way to having the time of their lives walking in the rain coming home from the pool. It amazes me sometimes how just simple things can be so fun for kids. Once at the zoo, my CITs were more captivated with a wild bunny hopping around than the rhinoceros right behind them.

Being with kids all day has really given me a new perspective and love for who they are individual. While some kids may not be the best, they all have their reasons and quirks that make them amazing. Being a camp counselor has really allowed me to spend time and learn from these kids.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Recommended for you

6 things i've learned about kids from my campers

Kids are some of the best and worst people.

1. They really have no filters

2. They say some of the funniest things you will ever hear

3. They all just really want some love and attention

4. They do some of the strangest things

5. They will break your heart sometime

6. They are easily entertained

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There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

It's mandatory to have these conversations.

1. What do you do for a living?

2. What's your favorite color?

3. Do you have any siblings?

4. What's your favorite television show?

5. When is your birthday?

6. What's your biggest goal in life?

7. If you had three wishes granted to you by a genie, what would they be?

8. What's your favorite childhood memory?

9. If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?

10. Are you a cat or a dog person?

11. Do you believe in a religion or any sort of spiritual power?

12. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

13. What is your ideal date night?

14. Who was/is your celebrity crush?

15. What's a good way to cheer you up if you're having a bad day?

16. Do you have any tattoos?

17. Can you describe yourself in three words?

18. What makes you the most nervous in life?

19. What's the best gift you have ever received?

20. What do you do to relax/have fun?

21. What are your priorities at this phase of your life?

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