The first time I had gone to summer camp, I was 19, not 8. What I was doing there? I had no idea. Camp taught me things that I really needed to work on at the time. For that, I truly have to say thank you, as I would not be the person I am today without you. The lessons that it taught me, shape me as a human being, and have made me a better person.
At summer camp, these lessons are not spelled out, but learned through the various things us camp counselors go through while dealing with kids. Here are somethings us summer camp counselors know, but wouldn’t trade for the world.
Prepare to be embarrassed.
You will have face paint on you many times. You will be dressed up in silly costumes. You will have to act. You will have to dance for extended periods of time. You will have to roll around in dirt. You will have to jump in the water in all your clothes. You will get food thrown at you. You will get grass in your hair and or mouth. You will eat with no hands. You will have your nails painted. You will have your hair done.
Prepare to be annoyed.
You will have to take them to brush their teeth. You will have to make sure that there laundry gets out. You will have to make sure they have all their shoes, and that they are tied. You will have to make sure they make their beds. You will be woken up in the middle of the night. You will be woken up early in the morning. You will not be able to get them to sleep. You will have to deal with wet beds.
Prepare to be sad.
You will have to comfort them when they are down. You will have to listen to everything they say. You will worry for them. You will struggle to connect with some. You will have to deal with bullies. You will have to deal with homesickness. You will not be liked by some. You will feel what they feel. You will hurt. You will miss them.
Prepare to be loved.
You will be a fishing buddy. You will be an idol. You will be a teammate. You will be a band member. You will be a teacher. You will be a cabin mate. You will be a lunch buddy. You will be a breakfast champion. You will be famous to them. You will be the coolest to them.You will give piggy backs. You will be a best friend.
Summer Camp has taught us counselors how to conquer the world. We are parents, coaches, and best friends all at one time. We live with kids for the summer, and have ups and downs, but these ups and downs help us exceed among others in the world, because we have been embarrassed, we have been annoyed, we have been sad, and we have been loved. We know exactly how to put ourselves in their shoes, simply because, we helped tie them in the first place. FTK-all day (For the Kids) I swear.
