I was so excited, clutching the packet from Durley Camp that hopefully contained my acceptance letter for a position as a camp counselor. I remember impatiently tearing the packet open as soon as I got into my dorm room and jumping up and down with joy as I read the words, "on behalf of Durley Camp, I am happy to welcome you to the team".

This was it. The start of something I have dreamed of doing ever since I went to camp for the first time when I was 10 years old. After my first summer away at camp, I was determined to be a camp counselor for at least one summer, and here I am, ready for six weeks of fun, challenges and a whole lot of Jesus.

Words can't describe how excited I am to start this summer as a camp counselor for the first time. I am about to go on a journey that will shape me more into the person I will become, and I am also about to make so many lifelong friendships. I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. I have so many expectations of what it will be like to be a counselor, and I know that not everything I am expecting will happen. Since receiving my letter of employment, I have talked to several people who have been counselors before, as well as spending a lot of time in prayer in preparation for this summer.

You are about to enter into one of the craziest, fun-filled, exhausting, challenging, transforming, and memorable summers yet. You have been called by God to work with a wonderful group of counselors and staff members, and you will have the incredible opportunity to plant seeds of faith in campers that will hopefully one day enable them to move mountains with their faith. Before camp begins, however, I want you to remember a few things:

Be ready to get out of your comfort zone.

Even though you've been a VBS leader for the past 6 years, and you might think you know what you're doing, you don't. Summer camp is a whole other thing on its own, and it will be one of the most challenging but impacting things you will ever do. You may be scared and nervous now, but know that God is with you at all times. He has called you into this role, and He will guide you through it all. There will be times when you feel like you don't know what you're doing, and that's OK. Go to God always for strength and guidance. He will show you the way. Don't be afraid to try new things, for new experience builds character. Don't be afraid to be vulnerable with God and your other co-workers. We are all here together, and even though each person's experience will be completely different, we are all striving for the same thing- to love God, love others, and serve with all that we are. Go out there and introduce yourself to a shy camper. You were once that shy camper yourself. You never know what type of friendship you will build by being brave and going up to someone to start a conversation and get to know them. Conquer your fears of heights and make it your goal to go zip lining at least once. Summer camp should be a place to challenge yourself, and you'll be surprised at what you accomplish if you believe in yourself and others.

Don't be afraid of messing up.

You're going to make mistakes, it might take you four days to learn all of your campers' names, you might sleep past your alarm one morning. It's OK. Stand back and breathe, and know that God is equipping you to do His work. This is your first time as a counselor, so there will be times when you don't have a clue on how to handle a situation. Ask questions. Pray. Go to other counselors for help. That's what they're here for. Lean on each other for encouragement and help. We're all in this together, as the body of Christ, working for the same goal. Don't take one failure as the end of the world. Other counselors will make mistakes again. We're all here to learn and be challenged, so allow yourself room to grow. Challenging things are what make us stronger. So remember, if you accidentally call a camper by the wrong name, it's not the end of the world.

Lean on Jesus.

You'll be exhausted, hangry and sometimes very discouraged. Go to God. He is there for you always. Whether it's at 7 a.m. and you're super groggy or 2 a.m. when you can't sleep because you're stressed or nervous, pray. Pray always. Take advantage of your quiet time with God. Talk to Him, sing to Him, ask Him to reveal things to you. You will be growing a lot spiritually this summer, so make sure you're focused on God. Make it your goal to do everything for His glory. He is the reason you're at camp this summer. When you're discouraged or feel like you're not equipped, He will give you strength and courage to press on. At the end of the summer, you will have a completely new view of who God is, what He has called you to do, and your ability to impact other people's lives.

It's OK to not have clothes that match.

I mean, come on, its camp. No one cares. At the end of the day, you're going to be sweaty and dirty anyway. Don't worry if you're not wearing makeup for the fourth day in a row. Be confident in who you are not based on what you look like, but who you are inside. God has made you uniquely different and He has given you gifts to bring glory to Him. Don't worry about what other people think of you. It's OK to have soggy shoes and shorts that don't match your t-shirt. It's OK if your hair doesn't look perfect. You're here to make an impact on the people you meet here at camp.

Even when you're tired, press on.

There will be some days when a kid is driving you bonkers, people are asking you questions left and right, and you run out of coffee. It's OK. Things happen. People aren't perfect, that's why we have Jesus. Be still and know that God is good, loving, gracious, compassionate and forgiving. Ask God for extra patience for the days when kids are going crazy. Ask for a soft heart to welcome each one of your campers and love on them. Ask God for peace when things don't go the way you think they should. God's got it, just believe and trust in Him, and incredible things will happen.

Have fun.

Although there will be days when you just want to be alone and not be around people, remember to be joyful and have fun. Camp is an exciting thing, and there will be so many fun memories that you will make. Live in the moment, don't worry about tomorrow. Go with the flow. Don't be afraid to be that goofy counselor who is also singing and dancing. The more fun you're having, the more fun your campers will have. This is going to be a life-changing summer, so get ready to have crazy adventures, friendships that will last the rest of your life, and memories you will carry in your heart forever. Camp will be over before you know it, so make the most of it and cherish the time you have with your co-workers and campers.