Being a camp counselor is hard work, but it is also such a blessing. Camp counselors give up their summers with their friends and families (and their own beds) to invest in the lives of the next generation. While we give up a lot to love on kids for a few weeks, we also receive so much back. Being a camp counselor has taught me more about myself that I could have ever imagined it would have.

1. Time-management

Being the one in charge, you have to know when to wake up, what time you are supposed to go to the ropes course, when lights out is and most importantly, when it's time to eat. You're not only responsible for yourself, but for ten other people and their schedules for seven days.

2. Responsibility

Not only do you learn to become responsible for yourself, but for the campers you are in charge of. From making sure they stay hydrated, to making sure they take their medications and wear sunscreen, you automatically become their mom for a week.

3. Patience

While camp can be fairy tale land with unicorns and rainbows, there will be times that are trying. There are times where campers will want to goof off and not do what is asked of them the first time. It may take them ten minutes to do something that would take five if they would do it without distraction. But that's okay because we are building people and relationships, not robots.

4. Diversity

Camp will expose you to people that are different from you, from your friends and from your family. You will work with people that will push you outside your comfort zone and will open your mind to new things.

5. How to be a role-model

Living with so many kids teaches you that someone is always watching. It teaches you how to quickly make the right choice in a situation. It reminds you how impressionable kids are and that they will pick up on the things you say and do.

Most importantly, being a camp counselor teaches you how to love and how to love well. The bond made at summer camp is like no other. It is a place where you grow close with the kids you're working with in a short amount of time. It shows you that love is an action; love is a 'do' and is not passive. Love is shown in braiding the hair of my campers, getting them another slice of cake at dinner and the tearful goodbye at the end of the week.

Summer camp will always hold a piece of my heart.