Summer camp holds a special place in my heart. I've been involved with camp for 13 years—11 of those years as a camper, and two of them as a counselor. I've participated in all kinds of camps—day camp, sleep away camp, creative arts camps, work camps (mission trip style camps), sports camps—I've always just loved camp. When I started looking for summer jobs away from my hometown, it made sense that I would apply to be a camp counselor. A friend of mine recommended I apply to Southampton Camp and Club, a day camp in Southampton, NY. I took her advice and applied, and the summer of 2014 was my first summer as a counselor at SCC.
This summer will be my third summer spent as a counselor for the "Stepping Stones" group at SCC. The Stepping Stones are the youngest campers, ranging from two and a half to four and a half year old children. Each year around this time, my friends tell me of how they'll be spending their summers interning at insurance offices or law firms. When I tell my friends and family I'll be returning to SCC again, the general reaction is, "Don't you think it's time you got a real job?"
I spend my days caring for approximately 15 four-and-a-half year-olds. I am responsible for their safety and well-being at all times throughout the day, as well as ensuring they are enjoying themselves and interacting with other campers. My fellow counselors and I create fun games for our campers to play, as well as games and activities that teach them new things. I'm not a glorified babysitter like so many people think I am—I am a teacher, a friend, a coach. I am a hand to hold and a professional hugger. I can sing goofy songs at the top of my lungs, and I know about 20 different methods to stop a major meltdown from happening when a camper drops their ice cream on the ground. The parents of my campers trust me with the most precious aspect of their lives—their children. The responsibility associated with my job is huge, and I would argue that it is just as much responsibility as anyone in an office or a law firm.
Camp has given me opportunities that I never would have had otherwise. I've met people from all over the world—I work with people not only from across the United States, but also people from England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada and Portugal. The other counselors I work with have not just become lifelong friends, but I now have connections to a slew of different countries and states across the nation. This opens up new doors across the globe—whether it be different employment opportunities or amazing places to travel. Camp has made me more a more caring, flexible, and confident person, which are all important attributes of a well-rounded employee.
So yes, camp is a real job. Just because I might be wearing an Elsa costume to work one day for Halloween Day doesn't mean that I have any less responsibility than other jobs out there—and I guarantee my job is a lot more fun.
