This is my second year working at a summer camp to occupy my summer time. Working all day out in the sun is such a wonderful way to pass the time. It might be super hot outside, but the people you are with definitely make the job worth it.
The coworkers you have become some of your closest friends. You all spend day after day playing wacky games with the kiddos and singing songs to pass the time. Being goofy together brings you and your coworkers closer because there is no better way to make friends than laughing.
The kiddos are a big part of that laughter. Throughout the summer you meet so many different personalities in the kids and they all have ways of brightening your day. They bring out your inner child by asking you to participate in their games and they tell you the craziest stories. I remember one kid who spent almost 15 minutes describing a dream he had about a dinosaur and all the crazy adventures it went on. The little moments like that make the summer so much fun.
The kids aren't only there to make you laugh about goofy things though, they really give you a sense of fulfillment. Knowing at the end of the day that your campers had a wonderful day is such a great feeling. As summer goes on you'll have campers that follow you around and they'll express their appreciation for you, but the greatest feeling is when a parent says thank you.
At the end of the day when those kids start going home, there are parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles who will pick them up. When they say thank you for taking care of the kids it is amazing. When they greet you by name it is heart-warming, and when they express the impact that you've had on their child - there is no feeling like it. The joy of hearing that you've made a difference in someone's life is indescribable.
As a camp counselor, you get to be a friend, a kid, a role model, and someone who changes outlooks and helps shape a little bit of a lot of young minds. THAT is why being a camp counselor is the best summer job.
