My summer as a camp counselor was one of the most memorable, meaningful and worthwhile summers of my life. But it was not always easy. I had bad days, I got overwhelmed, I laughed, I cried, I laughed until I cried, and sometimes things didn’t go as planned. But despite it all, being a counselor is one of the best ways to spend a summer.
Here are the five best things about being a camp counselor (in no particular order):
The Kids
Children are some of the funniest, quirkiest, and best people to be around. I think it’s safe to say that I learned just as much, if not more, from the kids as the kids learned from me. It’s incredible to see the potential and ability of each child and working with them is electrifying. Campers will challenge your creativity, keep you on your toes, crack you up, and surprise you every day.
The Camp Experience
Who wouldn’t want to spend the summer horseback riding, kayaking, performing skits, swimming, canoeing, singing, painting, weaving, crafting, and just acting silly all day every day? The beauty of being a camp counselor is that you get to go to camp too. It is thrilling to be able to spend every day outside, being active, and having fun.
The Lovely People
Camp introduced me to some seriously wonderful individuals and lifelong friends. After months of being around the same people everyday, we bonded quickly and really got to appreciate each other’s differences and quirks. It’s both beautiful and strange how close we became by the end of the summer and how close we all remain even after camp. (p.s. I miss my camp family!)
The Gratification
Camp counselors can make a huge difference in a child’s life. It is incredibly rewarding to be able to help make a child’s summer memorable. You will also see first hand how much these kids grow and learn over the week. You watch them conquer their fears, come out of their shells, explore their creativity, make friends, learn new skills and become stronger individuals. It is an amazing feeling to know that you played a part in that.
The Personal Growth
Camp is just as valuable for a counselor as it is for a camper. I’ve never worked as hard or as much as I did at camp and I've never grown so much over such a short period of time. I learned how to push my limits, communicate clearer, think on the spot, go with the flow and how to not let the little things get me down. I learned to take things as they come and everything will always work out.
Being a camp counselor is a fantastic experience. Sure, I had to clean up puke every once in a while or jump into a lake at seven in the morning and or work long, jam-packed days, but at the end of the summer, I feel like a better person for it.
-Iris, 2012 Silver Sage Girl Scouts Camp Counselor
