With summer comes camp season: energetic kids, outdoor activities, arts and crafts and sports. When you are no longer able to be a camper, it only makes sense that you become a counselor so you can continue on with the fun camp life. However, now you are the one in charge and taking on the responsibility of looking out for the safety of the campers.

As a child, everyone looks up to their camp counselors and dreams of one day being in their shoes. I definitely know I felt this way and now have the chance to give back and be a counselor at the camp I attended years ago. Many people view being a camp counselor as an easy job and that anyone can do it. While it may seem that way until you are put up to the task, you truly don’t understand that it requires a special person. Whether you help out with a day camp or overnight camp, you understand the love and reward that comes with being a camp counselor. Having the opportunity to be a camp counselor has allowed me to gain many skills and stories to share.

Having patience is a must when you are working with children. Being a camp counselor is more than just watching a few kids each day. No matter the age, children need a lot of care and attention. One day the campers can be content with the daily activities, but the next they are insisting we do something different. Even though the campers may ask the same questions a million times like, “What is the next activity?” “What are the other groups doing?” “When is snack time?” “Can we go in the creek today?” I always remain calm and answer all their questions, because I know they are just really excited about being at camp and I was once in their situation.

Every year I meet new kids and being a counselor has taught me that each individual is so unique in their own way. Each kid has their own distinct personality and needs that they bring to the group. You learn really quickly what each kid requires and how to talk to him or her in a way that they understand. I love being able to see the campers express themselves in different ways and see their talents shine through. Some of the kids really excel in the sports activities and some are really talented with the arts and crafts. Every relationship is different with each camper but not one is more important than the other.

Being a camp counselor is honestly one of the most rewarding summer jobs out there. From getting to know your fellow counselors and campers, you become very close over the course of the summer. Being a counselor means that you are a role model for all the campers. There is nothing more incredible than watching your campers grow and mature from the beginning of the summer to the end. Knowing that you are a part of making a child’s summer as fun and exciting as possible makes it all worthwhile. This is my fourth year as a summer camp counselor and it is so much more than just a job; it is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on a child’s life.