Hello to all of my fellow camp counselors!
Yesterday, I received a very exciting phone call! I have officially been hired to work at a day camp this summer as a counselor! WOOHOO!!
Some of you may have noticed that this is awfully late to be just being hired. Because I go to school out of state, I couldn't do the group interview until I actually got home last week. Two days later, I had an individual interview, and yesterday I got the very anticipated phone call.
I could not be more excited, and this could not have happened at a better time. I worked this last weekend at the camp that I have been at for twelve years, since I was a camper. I occasionally get the opportunity to work on program staff for a weekend when we host girl scout troops or school groups. However, this weekend proved different. At the end of the weekend, we had a staff meeting. The main subject of the meeting was summer, and the arriving counselors, and the coming weeks of training. At that moment, I felt so removed from the camp, and it was really hard. It really sunk in, I'm not coming back this year.
So I spent the next 48 hours sulking and feeling sad, and then I got the phone call. It didn't take away the sadness, and I still certainly feel torn, but it gave me something exciting to look forward to. It gave me something new to think on, to worry about, to plan for.
So what am I worried about? Well, first, I have to get a Class B drivers license, because counselors are also responsible for picking up and dropping campers each day of camp in a van. WOOHOO I could be a truck driver, if this whole camp professional plan doesn't work out. I'm not worried that much about the test and learning to drive the vans, as much as I'm just worried I'll forget a step in the process. YIKES.
I'm also worried about an entirely new staff. I haven't been new at camp as a counselor, ever. And I know it'll be a valuable experience, and I'm sure I'll learn a lot, but it still makes me weary. What if I don't get along with them? What if I don't fit in?
Finally, I'm worried about a program that I don't know that well. The resident camp I have been a part of has a very regimented schedule. Campers are going from wake up call to lights out, and there is only about an hour of free time, if that. The day camps program is much more up to the counselors, with just a few set items each day. It's at a park, so the activities are based on the counselors creativity and ideas.
But I'm so excited. I can't wait to learn about how day camp works from the staff side. I went to MANY day camps as a kid, but haven't been a part of one in about four years. I'm excited to meet the staff, which is over three times the size of the staff at my previous camp. I am looking forward to meeting new campers, and hopefully making a positive impact. I'm excited to create days based around what my campers want to do, and be able to use my creativity in a way I haven't in the past.
It's a lot of emotions, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels like this. So if you're getting ready to head to camp, whether it's your first time or your hundredth time, let me know how you are feeling.
Let me know!!
Samantha
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Choosing The Right Camp: Counselors' Edition
Hello to all of my fellow camp counselors!
There are so many services and websites devoted to helping parents find the right camp for their children. But where are the "advanced searches" for finding a counselor the right camp to work at? Sure, you can use those websites, and sometimes they work out, but what is the most important when finding the right camp for summer? And where do you start?
The first step is to ask yourself a few questions, to determine what you are looking for. These are the questions I think are important, in their order of importance.
First, determine your basics. Are you looking for a resident camp (sleep away) or a day camp? What are your available dates of employment? These answers will form what I call your absolutes. If you are looking for a resident camp that ends no later than August 15, any camp that does not fit these requirements is not a viable option. Another absolute may be location. If you are willing, or planning on traveling to camp, this may not be a factor. However, if you wish to work near where you live, that may be an absolute for you.
Second, look at the general program. Is it all girls, all boys, or coed? Is it an educational camp, an animal camp, a horse camp, a surf camp, etc.? This should just be broad ideas of the program, we'll get to specifics later. But you should think about what general type of camp you would like to be at.
Next, start to think specifics. So you want horseback riding, do you want western or english focussed? You were thinking waterfront, is it lake or ocean? Also, determine how set you are on these specifics. I'm looking for an outdoor focussed program, preferably with a hiking focus, but it's not a requirement. You may need to do some research and look at different camps to get an idea of what you want for this.
At this point, you should have a few narrowed down. Now it's time to start comparing. If you can, try to visit the camp. Look at details, such as programs that the camps offer, work schedule, pay, size of the camp, and so on. Some details may not matter to you as much as others.
If this is your first time working at camp, apply to several camps. You want to have options, and more than one possibility. Try to get to know they camp from a few perspectives. Start with research, look for online reviews, check the camps facebook page (if they have one), etc. If possible, try to get in contact with past counselors and staff from the camp. They have the most realistic view of the camp, and may provide valuable insight for you.
In summary, keep an open mind, but know what you want. Do your research, but remember that every experience is different. No camp is perfect, but you can find the right fit for you.
Happy searching!!
Samantha
There are so many services and websites devoted to helping parents find the right camp for their children. But where are the "advanced searches" for finding a counselor the right camp to work at? Sure, you can use those websites, and sometimes they work out, but what is the most important when finding the right camp for summer? And where do you start?
The first step is to ask yourself a few questions, to determine what you are looking for. These are the questions I think are important, in their order of importance.
First, determine your basics. Are you looking for a resident camp (sleep away) or a day camp? What are your available dates of employment? These answers will form what I call your absolutes. If you are looking for a resident camp that ends no later than August 15, any camp that does not fit these requirements is not a viable option. Another absolute may be location. If you are willing, or planning on traveling to camp, this may not be a factor. However, if you wish to work near where you live, that may be an absolute for you.
Second, look at the general program. Is it all girls, all boys, or coed? Is it an educational camp, an animal camp, a horse camp, a surf camp, etc.? This should just be broad ideas of the program, we'll get to specifics later. But you should think about what general type of camp you would like to be at.
Next, start to think specifics. So you want horseback riding, do you want western or english focussed? You were thinking waterfront, is it lake or ocean? Also, determine how set you are on these specifics. I'm looking for an outdoor focussed program, preferably with a hiking focus, but it's not a requirement. You may need to do some research and look at different camps to get an idea of what you want for this.
At this point, you should have a few narrowed down. Now it's time to start comparing. If you can, try to visit the camp. Look at details, such as programs that the camps offer, work schedule, pay, size of the camp, and so on. Some details may not matter to you as much as others.
If this is your first time working at camp, apply to several camps. You want to have options, and more than one possibility. Try to get to know they camp from a few perspectives. Start with research, look for online reviews, check the camps facebook page (if they have one), etc. If possible, try to get in contact with past counselors and staff from the camp. They have the most realistic view of the camp, and may provide valuable insight for you.
In summary, keep an open mind, but know what you want. Do your research, but remember that every experience is different. No camp is perfect, but you can find the right fit for you.
Happy searching!!
Samantha
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