Who wouldn't love getting paid to have the best summer of your life? However, is it even possible to decide what the best part of work is? I asked Camp Counselors what they enjoyed most about their job and this is what we came up with.
Weekly S'mores.
All summer long, once a week. You get to enjoy the thrill ride that it making around 300 s'mores and enjoying the sweet goodness yourself. By the end of the summer, you are a qualified professional s'more maker. Technically, this is in your job description so you are getting paid to dedicate one of your nights to going full out on the s'more making process. Usually as the summer progresses, counselors get rather creative and concoct very interesting (& delicious) s'mores. The only downside? When the summer ends, your s'mores craving carries over and you may go through a slight withdrawal phase.
You basically live on a lake ALL summer.
GiphyThe majority of your time is spent with the kids to ensure their safety and that they have the best week or weeks of their life. There are moments of "break time" when the kids are doing activities ran by other staff members or in my case, when they went to practice twice a day. During these breaks, counselors have most of the camp to themselves and are able to hang out with each other and treat it like a mini vacation. Most of the time, these blocks of time were spent by the lake. Who doesn't want to spend their entire summer tanning on the lake and getting paid to do so?! When I work for Flip Fest, every Thursday afternoon is a guaranteed counselor break as the kids have their last practice of the week and we do not have to work other activities. It is prime bonding time and a great chance to take advantage of your awesome job position.
Camp fashion is the BEST fashion.
To be completely honest, camp attire is extremely different compared to your day to day wardrobe. Fanny packs are just now starting to make a comeback, but they have been a camp staple for ages. Rocking a fanny pack is like a sign of importance. You are busy and on the go! Where else can you where multiple bandannas with absolutely no shame? Camp. It is a BIG power move if you have every color and maybe a few tie-dye. Speaking of tie-dye, ever head of Tie-Dye Tuesday? An entire day dedicated to wearing as much tie-dye as possible and owning it. It makes everyone's day brighter. On top of those many fashion benefits, there is never a need to try too hard to look perfect in the camp setting. Everyone accepts you for who you are no matter what. Plus, the kids love the wacky outfits.
You're paid to be an overgrown child.
Now, you do have to be an adult in order to your job correctly and efficiently, but in order to connect with your kids and keep them entertained you have to be able let out your inner child. You are encouraged to have the time of your life. Jump in the lake, make 18 bracelets, tell jokes, laugh as much as possible, HAVE FUN! Kids love it and so do you. You spend the entire summer ensuring that this is the best week of everyone's life, you gotta get into it.
It reinforces your hope in humanity.
You spend your entire year looking forward to your time at camp because that is where everything seems to make sense. Being surrounded by people who want to make the world a better place allows yourself to relax and embrace the positive energy. Many use the summer as a time to recharge for the rest of the year. No matter what could be going wrong in life outside, channel into camp and everything is okay.
Instant forever family
Once on staff, you are automatically considered family. Whether it be with just counselors or people of higher authority; everyone is involved in the family dynamic. Your dreams and ambitions are supported without question and if someone on staff can help you get to where you wanna be, they will do it in a heartbeat. They are there for you always and will be available if you ever feel like you need a pick me up. Camp family is real family.
You gain a sense of meaning and purpose.
Robert SaltzmanDay to day life can seem boring and might drag on for too long without a sense of meaning. At camp, there is always something needed to be done. You are always wanted and it gives you a purpose in the world. To some it may seem small, but you could really affect hundreds of people with the simplest thing you do while working. The responsibility is one of the greatest drives for you to be the best you can be.
Best support system in the world
Like previously mentioned, the family aspect is real. If you ever need ANYTHING at ANYTIME, someone will be there for you. Spending your entire summer with the same awesome group of people leads to unbreakable bonds that can stretch many years and many miles. Not only is everyone supportive at camp, but they continue to support everyone throughout the entirety of the year. If they feel like something is off about you, they are right there to make sure everything is okay.
The chance to inspire others
Let's not forget that you are put in charge of children of many different ages. For a week, you are the authoritative figure in their lives. With this comes excessive joy, but all also excessive responsibility. Each child's safety and well being is in your hands. With new kids every week, you never know what you're going to get. Everyone has a different story and now you're a part of it. This could be intimidating, but it gives you the glorious opportunity to change at least one person's life. Sometimes just talking to a counselor can inspire a child to live their life differently or make amazing decisions for themselves. You never know how much of an impact you can make. It is truly amazing.
It is literally the BEST JOB EVER!
GiphyNot to be too biased, but being a camp counselor is a dream job for young adults (and really everybody). With all of these previously listed reasons and many others combined, what more could you want? You are housed and fed all summer with pay! Lifetime friends are made as are phenomenal memories. Honestly, the atmosphere is amazing for your overall health. With the positive energy, you feel like you truly can take on the world. Camp life is the best life.
