With summer coming up, everyone seems to be on a mad hunt for a job to fill their time. Working at a summer camp for the past two summers has been something that has had a huge impact on my life, but also has taught me many lessons in the process. Here are just a few!

1. What is sleep?

If you have the choice between an after-hours adventure with the other staff members or a full eight-hours of sleep, we all know what the obvious choice is. You might dread it when your alarm rings only moments after you go to bed, but some of the after-hours adventures are the best memories from the summer.

2. Everyone has a camp crush.

And when I say everyone, I mean everyone. Whether its campers, counselors or even full-time staff, love is in the air. Just keep your eyes peeled for purpling.

3. It is very possible to get ready in less that 10 minutes.

When your alarm goes off at 7:08 and breakfast starts at 7:15, some sort of miracle happens that allows you to make it to breakfast on time. Clean clothes and brushed teeth optional.

4. Better watch out for pranks.

Whether it’s the campers or the other staff members, you never know when you’ll walk out of breakfast and your vehicle is full of the contents of the canoe shed, or you'll marvel at how someone possibly had the time to put 300 Dixie cups full of water all over your floor, but somehow…it happened again.

5. Biscuits and gravy again, are you serious?

You have the weekly menu memorized, from the sides to the desserts, but nothing makes your heart sink nearly as much as seeing biscuits and gravy on the line for the third time this week. But the thrill of the days where chicken strips and macaroni and cheese are served on the same day makes up for it all. Except Thanksgiving dinner for lunch in the middle of the summer…you better run.

6. You can’t name a song on the radio, but you know 10 new repeat-after-me-song.

Wait, you mean new music still comes out over the summer? During the summer, I couldn’t tell you a single new song on the radio, but I could definitely tell you what can make a hippopotamus smile or what noise the little green frog made. And if you’re lucky, I’ll even show you the actions to baby shark.

7. You’re greeted coming back from your day off like you’ve been gone a month.

It’s almost like coming back from school for the summer. You’re greeted with hugs, drilled with questions, and drowned out with screams of joy. Do they remember you were gone less than 24 hours?

8. The friends you make at camp are something seriously special.

Everyone walks in on the first day total strangers. Only a week later, you find yourself calling these people your best friends. When you spend 24 hours a day with the same people for the entire summer, you end up with a group of friends that will last a lifetime, no matter what next summer brings.