I honestly never thought that a summer job would have such a massive impact on my life. When I accepted a job as a camp counselor, I had no idea what to expect. I had very little experience working with kids, and absolutely zero experience with camping or being a counselor. I never imagined that something so foreign and out of my comfort zone would make me into the person I am now.
I had never pictured myself working at a summer camp. I was never one for hiking or sleeping on the ground outside. I wasn't really the adventurous type that would go hiking through the mud or climb on a high ropes course. I was more of the Netflix-in-bed-all-day type. I was, I guess you could say, a princess. Within my first few days of training, that all changed. I slept outside my very first night at camp and I realized how absolutely gorgeous the night sky is. I hiked hills and climbed caves. I even conquered my fear of heights and climbed a ropes course. I am now absolutely obsessed with hiking and all of nature's beauty. I love being outside and I find stars to be one of the most stunning things this world has to offer.
I love kids, and I always have. But I never really pictured myself being a leader in this capacity and having kids look up to me. When my campers started opening up to me, I knew that I had chosen the right summer job. Within the first week, I absolutely fell in love and I knew that I was right where I needed to be. The nights of being woken up countless times to take campers to the bathroom were totally worth it. So were the picky eaters, the complaints about hiking, the hunger meltdowns, and the fear of trying new things. To hear the sound of these kids having fun and making friends is like nothing else in the world. It is absolutely magical, and something I cannot define in words other than that.
The people I worked with at camp are the most beautiful souls I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Every single one of them welcomed me with open arms. I knew absolutely no one going in, and I made amazing friends in the first five minutes I was there. I am usually extremely shy and reserved, but my co-staff managed to bring me out of my shell and show me what camp is really about. They are all some of the best people on this Earth and I couldn't be more grateful to have met some of my best friends.
Working at a summer camp made me more adventurous, and gave me the courage to know that I can accomplish anything. It gave me leadership skills that I will hold onto forever. It showed me that I can conquer my fears. It also made me realize that it does not take long for strangers to become best friends. I would not trade my job at camp for the world, and I am so excited to do it all again.
