Things they don’t tell you about working at camp: (Part 1)
You will essentially be living out of a suitcase for the entire summer, and moving frequently, so pack light
You will have at least one camper that hates you and actively tries to sabotage you
Don’t bring your pillow when you sleep outside, it will get wet and it takes forever to dry
You might love kids with all your heart and soul but there will come a time midway through the summer when the thought of seeing another child is enough to make you crazy
Kids are smart, they will figure out who you are dating/ who you like even if you’re discreet
Leading arts and crafts is not easier than leading soccer or canoeing, they are entirely different and both deserve respect
You will have to clean up vomit/urine/blood/poop at some point, just remember sawdust is your friend
You can sweat out one 32oz bottle’s worth of water in an hour, so keep drinking, all day everyday
You are more than welcome to play music through your phone/speaker, but kids will pick the most annoying song as their favorite and request it all week
Your director has eyes and ears… everywhere
Befriend the kitchen staff, they might slip you extra desserts
Bring extra socks in your backpack, even if you don’t think it will rain
There will be nights when your campers don’t go to sleep until 3 and then wake up at 5
Sunscreen needs to be reapplied throughout the day!
You will probably spend most of your paychecks on food
There will be staff/ campers that you can’t stand, you have to work past that
You will have to intervene on camper issues even if they are not you’re campers
At some point a camper will tell you “I hate you” it’s probably not your fault
Counselors are more likely to be hurt at games, campers are more likely to be hurt in free time
This job won’t be “easy” but it will be the best job you have had/ will ever have. Make it count and have a blast