When asked what my first job was, my answer is: I was a camp counselor. When asked what I do each summer, my answer is always the same: I am a camp counselor. Some people give me a look of happiness, while others give me a look of fear. Many people have had the opportunity to be a camp counselors, while others have not. I believe being a camp counselor is the best job ever. I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Being a camp counselor is not as easy as it seems. You have to wake up before your campers and go to staff meetings. You will get very little sleep. You will be tired 24/7. You have to have patience with each and every camper. You have to eat the same food each week for a month. You sometimes grow tired of being around children. You sing the same songs over and over again. Coffee becomes your best friend at staff meetings. You are always late. Always. You take cabin kickback (nap time) seriously.
Although it can be difficult, being a camp counselor is very rewarding in the long run.
Through spending my summer as a camp counselor, I have met some awesome campers that have changed my life forever. One thing that brings a smile to my face is seeing my campers so happy to learn about the Gospel. It makes me so happy that the girls enjoy the camp and the activities we do. The discussions I have had with my campers have helped me build a personal relationship with them while planting a seed in their life. I love watching the girls look at us counselors in awe as we teach them during round table discussion or when we are practicing the memory verse with them.
Through working as a camp counselor for multiple weeks, I have the ability to meet many different counselors and serve with them. It is so fun to work with others that are as passionate about the camp and its ministry as you are. Growing relationships with the fellow counselors even after camp is over provides me with forever friends. The weekends when the campers aren't there are some of the most memorable moments, whether it be staying up late playing games or midnight Sonic runs to get a Nerds Slushie. I will always cherish the relationships I have made over the years with my fellow counselors.
Spirit day is by far my favorite day of the week. After spending several weeks at camp, you are put on different teams. Nothing beats watching the girls work together to beat the other team in the different games. Dressing up in your team color is always so competitive. Each counselor always tries to outdo the other.
Water games day is also a very fun and memorable day. Having a group of little girls come up to you and ask you specifically to go down the huge slip 'n' slide makes me feel extremely special. The girls enjoy this day almost as much as spirit day. For the girls who do not go down the slip 'n' slide, it is a great opportunity to talk to them about what they have been learning in Chapel.
The most important reason I spend each and every summer as a camp counselor is because of the mission of the camp. Providing several hundred children the ability to hear the Gospel and accept Jesus Christ as their Savior is a life changing event. Being apart of changing a child's life is amazing. Reuniting with a camper after not seeing them for a year warms your heart. Nothing makes me smile more than when a camper tells me that I am their role model and they love me.
There really is no job like being a summer camp counselor.
