Imagine endless days of filled adventures, new exciting challenges and unbridled fun. Now imagine spending those new adventures with 10-15 little campers who admire you and look up to you as their favourite counsellor. Whether its the moment you cheer your camper on for passing the swim test for the first time or finally conquering their fear of heights by completing the high ropes course. It's those moments you live for as a camp counsellor. Camp is everything you imagine it to be. The essence of camp fire smores, the long hikes through the forest, hot days at the waterfront and those catchy camp songs you sing 100s of times during the summer.
The essence of camp is something you can't even comprehend. When you think of an American Camp you instantly think back to that time you were 12 years old (or 22) watching The Parent Trap. No, you probably won't find your long lost twin but you can guarantee endless nights of laughter with campers in the cabin. So if you are thinking about becoming a camp counsellor this summer or considering it? Then keep reading!
1. You exceed your own expectations
Everyone jets off to camp with some form of expectations of themselves. Whether it is to ensure that every single camper has an amazing summer, to overcome some certain fear and grow as a person or to make lifelong friends. Expect all three of the above. If you are going to camp with any other expectation other than those three then you might have to re-evaluate because those are three that are most important as you enter the role of a camp counsellors.
I remember so clearly one moment during my time as a camp counsellor and as a counsellor you are expected to be a strong and brave role model for the children at all times. It was an evening activity at the high ropes course and it was my time to face "The pamper pole". A sky high 40 ft telephone pole in which I had to climb to get to the top where I had to stand and jump to grab a handle bar and swing to the other side. Now I usually do not fear heights but oh my god this was something that terrified me. Every single inch I climbed I reconsidered giving up. But then I would look down and see my campers cheering me on with such pride and happiness which kept me going. Their hope overcame my fear and before I knew it I was sitting at the top of a 40ft pole shaking and quivering with absolute fear. This is when I really needed the help of my counsellors and campers to encourage me to stand and jump to reach the bar. It was one of those moments were I kept questioning myself as to why in earth did I decide to do this and then I remembered it was for my campers. I wanted to show them that not even the "pamper pole" could scare me. After a solid 20 minutes, I finally stood up and jumped swinging through the trees feeling like Jane from Tarzan. That was the moment. That was the moment I exceeded my own expectations. I may have did it with tears rolling down my face due to my nerves but I did it. My campers were so proud of me and I was so proud of me.
2. You learn to appreciate the little things in life.
As you adapt to the camper life in small wooden cabins with no air conditioning and minimum electricity you begin to appreciate all those little things in life. As time passes you begin to realise that everything you lived in outside of camp was paradise, you just didn't realise it. You become grateful for the little pleasures in life and when you get them back you nourish them with every feeling of gratitude. It's as simple as a cold bottle of coke or a cheese and onion Tayto sandwich that you missed oh so much from home. There was no better feeling arriving back to the cabin late in the evenings to find a cold bottle of coke that your co-counsellor picked up for you on their day off. You even appreciate those 3 minutes of silence as you use the loo. Everything about the picture below just screams gratefulness and happiness after a week of camp food.
3. Learn to rely on other people because you cannot do everything on your own
The world works in a funny way. As you arrive on the first day of camp everyone is awkwardly chatting on the bus journey trying to cover up that fact nobody has no idea what is going on. Then three months down the line you find yourself calling them family. Think about it this way, you are thousands of miles away from home, continuously pushing yourself outside of your own comfort zone. Sometimes you need other peoples help to do that and they will need your help too. There are days were you may feel a little homesick but then you remember that where you are has become your home and these people have become your family. Yes, there were times were campers would just refuse to shower or refuse to make their bed and your patience would become slightly limited but thats when you ask FOR HELP from your co-counsellor. That is what they are there for. They are there to step in when you feel tired or drained. Rely on each other because they are the ones who will walk strong for you when you find yourself only able to crawl. That goes for life in general.
4. Never underestimate the power of music
A speaker is a very powerful tool when it comes to camp. Having a speaker at camp means you are going to have the most wonderful hikes, even if that means you have to have the Pokémon theme song on repeat. Music brightens up every counsellor and camper at camp. As a role model you are expected to be their for your campers 100% even though it might take a long time to build that trusting relationship thats needed between you and your camper. Music can help that. Even if you find yourself pulling silly dance moves in the communal bathrooms to Jason Derulo as the campers brush their teeth and dance along. All those silly dance parties add to the building foundations of the relationship. Oh and be prepared to learn ENDLESS amount of camp songs. Songs you learn at camp are like a younger sibling, they can be silly and juvenile and often annoying because you sing them 24/7, but you love them to death and they stay with you for the rest of your life.
5. Don't be afraid to be silly
Following on from the last post, life is to short to be serious all the time. A good quality in life is to be silly and be able to laugh at yourself. You learn this pretty much straight away as you enter the camp grounds. The very first hour all counsellors were asked to stand in a huge circle and two were chosen to compete in the dreaded "Moo Off". The first time I witnessed a "Moo Off" was the first time I 100% admitted to myself that there was no holding back when it came to being silly. I am sure you are all wondering what a "Moo Off" is, so here goes. The famous camp "Moo Off" finds two competitors on all fours (like a cow) while looking dead straight into each others eyes. On the count down of 3,2,1 you give it your all and yes, you moo. You moo to your hearts content for as long as you possible can without creasing over in laughter. The longest Mooer wins. Simple. Humility is essential when you’re spending a summer in an overheated cabin making very little money trying to give campers a summer they won’t forget so be silly and live a little. Also, you have themed days at camp like Disney Day and Harry Potter Day and I took these very seriously.
6. It is not all about you
This is a really important aspect if you intend on becoming a camp counsellor. Like I said every camp is different. Camp Hayden Marks was a camp for kids who lived in low-income communities and camp is their little time out of the year when they can really be kids. At the time some of my campers had never seen or swam in a swimming pool and when they are asked to complete a swim test it frightens them because its all so new. Even if YOU hate swimming this is the time for you to get into the water and encourage them. Push them to be their best selves even if you are uncomfortable. By the end of the summer you will see your campers passing their swim test and winning the Golden Ore and you find that it was all worth it. As humans, we rise by lifting others and this is an important life lesson that is learnt during your time at camp.
6. Take advantage of every single little moment
There were times I would just stop and actually acknowledge where I was. I was surrounded by the most wonderful people who were living each day as best they could. I would see campers who were in their final year of camp appreciate every single moment. They would sing every camp song with such pride because they new it was their last time they could. We should all live like that because no one ever really knows when the last time will be. Don't let any moment go to waste and as cliché as it sounds, everyone should make life extraordinary.
7. If it isn't fun then you are not doing it right
It is impossible to enjoy every aspect of camp and when I say 'aspect' I mean the parts were you find yourself trying to not scream at the fact that there is a mouse in the cabin or a flying squirrel over your bunk bed. Chances are you will find yourself doing something you don't enjoy but what you can do is try and find a way to make it more interesting. So what you can do is incorporate games and fun activities like 'whoever catches the mouse quickest gets to play an extra game of UNO before bed'- It works!
8. No technology is good for your wellbeing
You don't have your typical day to day worries when it came to social media like 'how many instagram likes did I get' or to 'remember to send that streak'. You become unplugged and more present. Instead of finding your head stuck in your phone scrolling for hours through twitter, you find yourself huddled around the campfire with flashlights flickering telling ghost stories. It's amazing how fast a friendship can form when you pay full attention to all the little details instead of splitting your attention between a phone and them.
9. Become super proud of your home country
When you leave your home country you become so proud of where you came from. Any chance you get you'll shout it to the world and so you should. Like they say, home is where the heart it.
10. You get out of life by what you put into life
Lastly and most importantly, what you get out of an experience is directly impacted by how much you're willing to put into it, life and camp is no different. If you are lucky enough to get an opportunity like this you should grab it by two hands and give it everything you have because you leave knowing not only have you grown as a person but you have left a life long impact on someone else's life. As camp ends and the kids begin to pack their bags to say goodbye they leave with such appreciation. A high five, a hug and 'You are the best counsellor ever' letter makes it all worth it.
So there it is. 10 life long lessons that I have learned as camp counsellor. By no means is it easy but it's the hardest job you will ever love.
Like always,
Keep being you and let the magic happen.
Love R x