My all time favorite part of summer, besides the 3-month long break from college, is getting to serve as a camp counselor! This is something I recommend everyone do at least one time in their life. I've served as a counselor at all types of camps from football camps, leadership camps, spiritual camps; whatever you can think of, I've been there. It's the best job in the world, but it's also one of the most stressful. Even after the long nights, countless hours of tedious icebreakers/group bonding activities, and multiple complaints from campers, I wouldn't trade those experiences for anything in the entire world. One big thing I've learned as a counselor is that each day is something completely new, and you'll never experience something like it ever again. Here a couple of things every camp counselor needs you to know:
1. We probably are having even more fun than the campers!
No matter how crazy it may seem, we have more fun getting to know each camper and working with one another than probably anyone can see from the outside looking in. The way we see it, if you're going to be working all the time we might as well have fun while doing it! Honestly, why else would we volunteer time out of our summers to do it?
2. The First Day of Camp is just as awkward for us as it is for the campers.
Though we love working with one another, the first day of any camp is awkward if your group doesn't put in effort to work with you right off the bat. Just like the campers, we don't know any of the kids in these groups so that's why our enthusiasm seems to be at an all-time high so each group can become comfortable.
3. We are trying our absolute hardest to make sure the campers are having a good time!
Yes, we fully understand that the cheers and the games seem stupid and crazy at first; however, inevitably at some point in the camp if you're not doing the cheers you'll be the one everyone thinks is crazy. I promise no one is "too cool" to have fun with the group like the rest of us. If we see you're always hanging in the back of our events or always reserved to speak up, we want to know!
4. We are ordinary people just like everyone else. We do have lives outside of camp.
Often at the end of camp, your campers and kids in your group want to add you on social media, and that's perfectly fine; however, a lot of them are shocked to learn that we do things other than just chill in our uniforms once summer is over. We go to school like everyone else, we go out, some of us are in relationships, we live our lives. This is crazy to some, but we do other things than just being a camp counselor.
5. Group confessionals are probably one of the most rewarding parts of the job.
When it's the inevitable time for the dim light blackouts and when you tell your deepest, darkest feelings and secrets to a random group of people you may not have known existed a week ago makes any counselor feel accomplished. The moment they have the comfort to do that is the moment you've succeeded.
6. We love everyone of our groups and the stories they share.
Our groups mean the world to us, and when they share a story to us about their personal lives it makes us revel in the fact they feel comfortable with us. We also love knowing that when we talk in a group the campers will listen. The picture below is a perfect example of how I like to sum up my experience with campers. Always enjoying group conversation(...spot me in the middle!)
7. We really do appreciate those thank you letters!
Most camps ask their campers to write a letter to their counselor, and at the end of the camp, and when we read them they make our hearts full. For example, here's a letter I got that always brings me joy to read.
8. The last day of camp is harder for us than it is for you.
Even after the long days and seemingly endless nights we really do miss the time we spent at our camps. They really make us who are and make us happy for the love we gained from everyone involved! We will truly miss each camper until we meet them again, but that's the beauty of summer camp it'll teach you a lot about other, but even more about yourself. We want you to keep sending your kids back every year!
