This summer, I worked as a camp counselor for a Christian day camp. While there are still a couple of weeks left, I have learned a lot about being a counselor and leader in the weeks that I have worked. The kids I have worked with have taught me so much and there are many things that I have learned from them. Sure, I’m the one who’s supposed to be leading them; but they have also led me in so many ways.

The kids have definitely taught me patience. Going along with the patience has been grace. Kids are kids. They don’t always listen the first time, they like to run ahead, and they can be loud. And I haven’t always been the most patient. They have heard me yell a lot, and I’m not the type of person to get upset easily. I have had to learn to be patient with them, especially in the times where they have purposely tested my patience.

And there are times where I’ve had to be gracious with them and let the little annoyances slide. I don’t condone them when they do something wrong, but I have had to have grace when they’ve made little mistakes. It hasn’t been easy, but these kids have taught me how to have more patience and grace.

I’ve learned how to have fun. These kids have a lot of energy. They’re elementary aged kids, so they are always going. They love to laugh and have fun. I’ve had to increase my energy levels and use what I’ve got to have fun with the kids. I’ve had to be weird and crazy with the kids, which is something that they love.

I tend to be on the quieter side, and showing lots of energy and weirdness is not something I’m always comfortable with. But the kids showed me how to have fun and not be afraid to let my weird side show. It’s also helped me to build better relationships with the kids.

These kids have taught me how to love. I admit I tend to complain about how tired and exhausted I am after a day of work. There are days when I wonder if I even like kids anymore. It’s been a very hard job. It’s not easy. But even though it’s exhausting and hard, it’s rewarding. There are many kids who love to be around me.

There are kids that will run up to me and give me really tight hugs and not let go. I have built relationships with these kids. The time is getting very close where I’m going to have to say goodbye to them. And after spending all summer with them, that’s a hard thing to do. I love these kids. And since it’s a Christian camp, I get to see them love Jesus.

They’ve taught me to love Jesus more because I have to be able to share the gospel with them. To see these kids love Jesus is the most rewarding part of my job.

Being a camp counselor is a hard job. I complain a lot, I admit it. But these kids have taught me so much. With only two weeks left, I’m not sure I’m prepared to say goodbye to them. Even if I never see these kids again, I know that I’ve had an influence on them. And even better, they’ve had an influence on me.