Hello to all of my fellow camp counselors!
As I mentioned in a previous post, I recently came back from Winter Camp. It was an incredible week, full of new memories, laughs and a reminder of why I love camp. But there was a constant undertone of sadness, because I knew that I would not be returning to the same camp this summer.
I have spent the past eleven summers at this camp, and have gone through many roles. I was a camper, counselor in training, on-call program staff, counselor, and program area lead. I learned so much and have more memories then I could ever tell. This camp has become a home to me, and has given me so much more then I ever knew a camp could.
This summer, what would have been my third as a counselor, will be my first away. This is a decision that weighs heavy on my heart. And there is no one reason for my choice. However, I feel that by sharing with you all the process and emotions I am going through with this change may help you if you are ever in a similar situation.
There are many reasons that I am not returning to my home this summer. They range from geographical challenges, to financial struggles, to long term career goals. And none of those reasons make this any easier. However, I recently came across a new thought. There is never going to be an easy time for me to make this choice. There is always going to be another goal, another camper turned counselor that I want to be with for their first staff summer, another reason why it shouldn't be this year. Any while that may not make this any easier, it does make it more logical, and I like logic.
Lots of people have tried consoling me, with advise or words of wisdom. I've heard everything from "it's really time you moved on anyway" to "maybe you just need one summer off and you'll go back". But I still feel stuck. In some aspects, I feel so excited to experience something new this summer. I can't wait to have some time with my friends, be able to actually relax, and maybe get a new job, and have a new adventure. I'm even applying to some day camps! On the other hand, I'm heart broken. One of my closest friends is about to have her first summer as a counselor. I didn't make it to my eventual goal of being a head counselor. I will miss my campers more then anything. There are so many reasons I'm not ready to leave. But the decision is made.
I'd love to hear similar stories.
Samantha
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Being a Camp Advocate All Year-Round
Hello to all of my fellow camp counselors!
Since its currently the summer camp off season, I thought it would be timely to discuss being a camp advocate. The first time I heard the phrase "camp advocate", I was 17 and a counselor in training. We talked about the American Camp Association, and its goal to increase camp attendance. I really latched on to this idea of being a sort of spokesperson for camp as a whole, and always working towards getting more children to camp.
So how can we do this?
Well my first strategy has always been fairly simple. Just talk about camp! If you have a passion, it will show through. I love telling people about how much I love camp. I talk to my friends, random people I meet, I even talked about it when I was going through sorority recruitment two years ago. When you share your passion, you inspire others. Maybe a parent was having doubts about sending their child to camp, and you helped settle their nerves. Maybe you convinced someone to be a counselor for a summer. Or maybe your words will just sit in the back of their mind until one day its time for them to send a child to camp.
Next, always be aware. Once you become a camp counselor, that's what many people will know you as. Be aware of what you do and what you say. Are you on your night off, and wearing a staff shirt? Don't walk through the grocery store spewing curse words. Change before you head out to the bar. Your camp shouldn't be associated with some of your "adult behaviors". If you need to let off some steam, that's great, but don't advertise you're a counselor simultaneously. Another avenue that I see a lot of people crossing this line is social media. If it says anywhere on your page that you worked at a camp, if you have pictures of yourself at camp, if you are friends with campers, the following applies to you.
Since its currently the summer camp off season, I thought it would be timely to discuss being a camp advocate. The first time I heard the phrase "camp advocate", I was 17 and a counselor in training. We talked about the American Camp Association, and its goal to increase camp attendance. I really latched on to this idea of being a sort of spokesperson for camp as a whole, and always working towards getting more children to camp.
So how can we do this?
Well my first strategy has always been fairly simple. Just talk about camp! If you have a passion, it will show through. I love telling people about how much I love camp. I talk to my friends, random people I meet, I even talked about it when I was going through sorority recruitment two years ago. When you share your passion, you inspire others. Maybe a parent was having doubts about sending their child to camp, and you helped settle their nerves. Maybe you convinced someone to be a counselor for a summer. Or maybe your words will just sit in the back of their mind until one day its time for them to send a child to camp.
Next, always be aware. Once you become a camp counselor, that's what many people will know you as. Be aware of what you do and what you say. Are you on your night off, and wearing a staff shirt? Don't walk through the grocery store spewing curse words. Change before you head out to the bar. Your camp shouldn't be associated with some of your "adult behaviors". If you need to let off some steam, that's great, but don't advertise you're a counselor simultaneously. Another avenue that I see a lot of people crossing this line is social media. If it says anywhere on your page that you worked at a camp, if you have pictures of yourself at camp, if you are friends with campers, the following applies to you.
- Don't complain about your camp
- Don't post statuses/tweets/etc. that are not "camp appropriate"
- Be aware of what pictures you have up
- Use common sense!
I'm going to do a whole post on social media use, but these are some basic guidelines. Remember, you always want to represent camp in a positive light, so take a moment to think before you act!
My final advise on advocating for camp is to get involved! Volunteer, join a club, do something to get out there and keep making the world a better place. Show your community that camp counselors are role models beyond summer!
Keep on advocating!
You are amazing!
Samantha
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