As a kid you loved going to camp, and as you’ve grown up, that feeling has yet to change. The transition from camper to counselor is both exciting and exhausting. One summer you’re the champion of your volleyball team, and the next, you’re on the sidelines with the first aid kit ready. While you still leave your packing till the last minute and continue to somehow forget sunscreen every single year, becoming a counselor brings unexpected joys.

Whether it’s day camp, a week away, or potentially even a month, being an “adult” at camp brings a lot of thoughts to your mind:

“Okay. So I’m the adult here.”

“I’m sure there’s a more responsible adult around here somewhere…”

“Do these kids ever get tired?”

“Now where do they keep the secret snack stash?”

“I miss air conditioning.”

“Thank God for the other counselors.”

“Free time = nap time.”

“Am I just really short or are all my kids taller than me?”

“I think I’m melting.”

“I really need to call my old counselors and tell them thank you for putting up with me.”

“NoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo.”

“Seriously. No.”

“How do all these kids have better phones than me?”

“Do their parents know they act like this?”

“I’m too old for this.”

“Maybe I’m too young for this.”

“No I’m not 37…I promise I’m only 20”

“I don’t think my voice will last much longer.”

“My kids are now my children.”

“My one piece tan is pretty bad.”

“Do I tell them there’s a bug?”

“I miss real food.”

“I’m never leaving.”

“Only 2 more days left...”

“How did I get put in charge of this many 12 year olds??”

“Please don’t do that…”

“When’s nap time?”

“I don’t think I can take 5 more minutes with these kids.”

“These kids are adorable.”

“You can’t leave me…”

“I LOVE it here!”

“I’ll see you next year!”

Although being a camp counselor can be totally exhausting, at the end of the day, you know what you continuously brings joy to others. Now it's time to start the countdown til next summer...