#camp asks

[camp-counselor-life]

finding your blog has inspired me to do this during my gap year. I'm not enjoying school atm so I'm hoping to catch break from academics and jobshadow or work as a junior camp counsellor. i'd love to know more about your story. also, do you have any tips or advice?

Hi friend, that's awesome! I totally understand not enjoying school and really wish I'd taken a gap year at several points.

My story is that I grew up in Girl Scouts and did a lot with it. I moved for college but worked at my childhood day camp for two summers. I also ran events for my local council while I was in college as part of a student group. Then, in winter 2014-15, I realized I wasn't happy in my path and applied for a job as a curriculum writer. Then I applied for summer camp and became the CIT (counselors in training) director. The next summer I was the director (long story) and then did two summers as assistant director while I was in grad school.

When I graduated, my current job became available. I applied and was hired. I've been in this position ever since. I run events, support parents and volunteers, work with the community, and more. The blog encompasses both camp stuff and my work stuff (as well as some random stuff from my life).

I have tons of tips, and they're in a variety of tags. One is my tips and tricks tag, which I've included on this one. Camp asks is another one, because those are all the questions that people have asked over the years. Some top tips are:

Take care of yourself. You can't pour from an empty cup.

You will get better the longer you do something, including being a camp staff. Your first year won't be perfect, but do your best.

Kids come first when you're on duty. Like, don't neglect your basic needs, but also you are responsible for them and need to act like it.

Every kid is different and has something they bring to the group. It's your job to bring that out.

Best wishes!

[camp-counselor-life]

just a random question! what do you call rolling up all the front, back, and side flaps of a platform tent? we call it floating the tent over here, but I've also heard treehousing it (although not at a gs camp), so I was wondering if you had a term for it!

So we don't have a term for it (that I know of). I don't know if my old council did, but the day camp didn't. That's really interesting though!

[camp-counselor-life]

Did anything ever happen where you were like "i dont know what to do, but i probably should do something. And then just did nothing because the option of just seeing what would happen was way more interesting and fun?

Hmmmm, that's not really my style tbh. I would imagine I have, but it would be something like, oh this kid is doing something that won't turn out right, but I'll let them do it anyway. Not like, in a mean way, but in a live and learn way.

[camp-counselor-life]

My sleep away camp opens applications soon for the 2024 summer and I am debating if applying is worth it. I turned 20 in august and due to covid postponing my last year as a camper in 2020 I didn't do cit 2 until I was 17 in 2021 (I was the oldest cit 2 my session and turned 18 9 days after, cit 2's are typically 16) I applied for staff for the 2022 summer but applied late and they felt I was more suited as a jc which I understand and I ended up doing a second jc week in 2023 as I wasn't ready at all (I didn't even make it to the interview stage I just got an email being like you're not ready but if you want you can do jc again). The second jc week went really well with minor errors so I'm not super worried this time if I apply. I also am disabled and my dad and sister think it would be a waste of time to apply for a third time and think I won't get hired. I know its a very real possibility and have accepted that but at the same time I know I truly enjoyed both of my weeks as a jc and returning to camp in that role and I dont know who I am without my camp. I could always look into other camps but that doesn't seem right either. I accepted that whatever happens is meant to happen if I do apply, there's just a part of me who is hoping I will get hired and another part of me who isn't sure I want to put myself through last years reaction again if I dont get considered (I was heartbroken when I got that email) Any advice?

Hi friend,

I've think you have some options. One is that you can go ahead and apply, with the thinking being that you can take a chance on yourself and hope that they've seen it too. Another is that you can not apply and just move on from camp. A third is that you apply to a different camp where you have a clean slate and you're only judged on your resume/application and references (pick them wisely).

A final option, which is probably the one I'd recommend in your case, is to reach out to the camp director and discuss their recommendation. Express how much you want to work at camp, and what you're willing to do to get there. Ask for their advice in applying again. Then ask for their recommendation. Camp is a job, yes, but if you've grown up there it's different than walking into Walmart and applying, where you would never do this.

If you go this route, be prepared that it will take a lot of courage to lay yourself out like this, to be vulnerable with someone who could well be your boss. It also depends on your relationship with the camp director. Earlier this summer, it sounded like they were willing to work with you. This is also a risk, because it's not typical for staff to ask for advice from the person hiring, although it's usually different with CITs.

Before you make any decision though, do a little soul searching. Is camp really going to be the best environment for you? Camp isn't for everybody, disabled or not. You know what camp is like, you know what you're capable of, you know what your strengths and weaknesses in that environment are. You can even do a pro-con list or a strengths-weaknesses list to see how it all adds up, if you're into that.

Bottom line: figure out if this is the path for you, then decide on how much of yourself you want to put out there and if it's worth it to you.

[camp-counselor-life]

I’m a second year junior counselor at my camp and I’m two to three years older then the first year jc’s I’m working with this summer. Last summer I was more close in age with my Jc group but even then I was feeling a disconnect between me and them. Like I was a cit 2 with a good majority of them and the others I already knew as well but I felt a disconnect between all of us and I felt very left out. Now I’m trying to bond with my Jc group before our camp week but I’m feeling like I’m grasping at straws to connect with them and not be the super annoying second year. I don’t want to feel left out again but I don’t know how to connect with people that I’m so much older then and haven’t really known in the past but have to jc with this summer. For reference I’m much closer in age with a lot of the staff then the jcs but covid screwed up me going on staff when I was supposed to and I really struggled last summer as a jc so I’m doing it again. Any advice would be very much appreciated.

Hi friend,

First, let me say, as an autistic person, I am maybe not the best to be giving social advice. What I can speak to is the camp environment, so here's my suggestions.

It is ok to not connect with them prior to camp. Participate in conversation on whatever medium you're using, but don't try to force it.

When you get to camp, it is ok to start with 1-2 people that you know better and work your way out in socializing. Getting to know just one person well will be super helpful.

Just like with making friends and socializing in the "real world," you should practice active listening and ask open ended questions. However, you should only start more in depth conversations when it's an appropriate time. Appropriate times: time off (not resting or trying to rest), meals during training (if you have that)/away from campers, downtime at training. Not appropriate times: during training sessions, with campers, the exception to that being when you're doing get to know you games with campers.

I think that it's important to still be yourself. If you try to force yourself into a box, you'll falter or stumble at some point, and it's hard to recover after half truths and lying.

As much as it sucks and hurts, it is ok if you don't make a quality connection with your fellow JCs. It sounds like you're young enough that a couple of years makes a huge difference in life stage and maturity. Sometimes that's just hard to overcome. Try, of course, but be gentle with yourself if it doesn't work out.

It's hard for me to give more specifics without knowing about your JC program, as it sounds different than ours.

Take care and have a great summer.

[camp-counselor-life]

I had a camper this summer who ended up leaving early due to homesickness and even though I was only her junior counselor I still wish there was more I could of done for her. Any advice about dealing with a homesick camper for summer 2023?

While sad, sometimes going home really is the best thing for a camper. There's a space at camp for every child, but not at every camp and not at every time. She can get older and try again, and that's ok. You did your best and that is enough.

For homesickness, I actually have a whole tag of homesickness stories, tips, and tricks. This is my masterpost and then there's more in the tag. The tips and tricks from that post are:

Just as there are lots of different ways [to be homesick] to deal with homesickness. And each camper is different, so you may have to try multiple approaches.

Let them talk. Just letting a child say what’s on their mind, uninterrupted, is a great way to cure many problems. It works pretty well for upset adults too.

Camp appropriate hugs, if they want one.

Writing. Maybe it’s journaling, maybe it’s writing a letter home.

Become a master of distraction. A lot of kids could use a distraction from their homesickness. Doing activities as you are able to is a great way to engage and distract kids. Ideas might be friendship bracelets, crafts, simple science experiments, or a game.

Look out for them. Check in with them in a way that doesn’t make them feel like they’re being singled out. 

Focus on the positive. Ask them to reflect on their favorite parts of camp so far.

Focus on the future. Tell them all about the cool and fun things that you’re going to do that week (or however long) at camp.

Ask your director/ACD to call the parents and ask if they have any suggestions. Also ask your director/ACD/supervisor/people with more experience than you for suggestions when you’ve run out of things to try.

A couple of other notes:

With writing, focus on positives. And if you say you'll mail it/email it, you actually have to - don't lie about it.

Actually focus on the positive with everything. It's all about what exciting things they get to do tomorrow, the friends they'll make, the fun they'll have.

Sometimes it is ok to let the kids call home when they are truly struggling. It serves a couple of purposes: one it's a pep talk and two it gives the parent the opportunity to make an informed decision about their camper staying at camp. This should be a later intervention, when other things haven't worked.

Tap into the wisdom of older staffers and admin staff. Also tap into them when you need to tap out, because we all get overwhelmed by emotions sometimes.

Make sure that you dealing with homesickness, or the camper's homesickness itself, isn't negatively effecting other campers. This might mean appropriate separation from the group (following your camp's staff:camper ratio) until they calm down, so that they don't "infect" the other campers.

Best of luck next summer!

[camp-counselor-life]

Dearest anon from last night,

Here is a collection of answers from the crowd of forgotten items and things we may overlook:

tootbender replied

If there’s one thing you shouldn’t “skimp” on its shoes! You’ll be on your feet so much you’ll be so grateful to be in something that supports you. My camp is also very dusty so I always bring baby wipes so I can wipe my feet/legs before getting into my sleeping bag. 💜

chocolate-smash replied

i went through so many pens and sharpies working at camp, theyre so useful and so easy to forget sometimes 

campfire-chats reblogged

A lamp! The camp I worked at didn’t have electricity in the cabin I lived in. I was aware of that and it just never occurred to me that it would be dark in there at night.

Gold bond is a personal favorite for shoes and feet.

Also personally I would make a little sick kit, things you personally enjoy when you are under the weather. There has never been a summer I worked at camp where I didn’t end up with a cold, kids are germ factories. Sure they might have the basics but sometimes you want what you like.

ddienw reblogged

Small, silly things to share/gift and Be Seen In. Sharpies and pens.

queenmydishesplease reblogged

Crafts for you to do that aren't camp related! It's nice to have something to do that's not a friendship bracelet or a lanyard.

Also I recommend an unimportant small stuffed animal and/or blanket, it helps to calm kids down. I also like having cheap fidget toys (I use the tiny slinkies you can get for like 8 for a dollar at Walmart) for the same reason.

A less important thing, but still nice to have is extra silverware in your mess kit! It's great for serving and if kids forget certain silverware. At least at my camp, we don't have a lot of extra silverware.

These are all great suggestions! I hope that this helps you in your quest to be prepared for camp this summer!

[camp-counselor-life]

God a council led STEM troop would be so good!! Like the biggest issue with current STEM programming is that it's so dependent on having a leader who's comfortable running STEM programming.

I've talked about this with @ddienw, but the current troop model isn't necessarily the model that will propel us forward. I personally think that an answer (partly) is going to be staff-led troops, which a lot of councils actually have already. GSUSA pushed out "start-up troops" in 2021 which were staff led and a lot of outreach troops in different councils are led by staff (think part time/Americorps staff), plus many councils run series programs or virtual troops that essentially or actually are troops.

But yeah, especially with STEM, where it's got so many facets and differing levels of comfort. Crafts? Fairly easy to get up to speed on, especially for the littles, you don't have to be good at it. Cookies? Yeah, anyone can do that (not everyone wants to, but everyone can). But STEM is one of those where you can get out of your depth fast, even if you have some STEM background, and especially when you have curious kiddos. We actually have an astronomy "club" that functions similar to a troop, but is actually a series program.

Plus staff just have a different bandwidth to accomplish things like organizing field trips or guest speakers or managing funding. Not to say troop leaders can't do that, they're amazing, but also staff could be a viable option. For a STEM troop you could hire STEM students or something, have them supervised by a FT staff. The possibilities are endless.

I will say though, staff bandwidth wise, funders need to get comfortable funding salaries and not just supplies if we're moving to this model. Staffing is a real expense that is just not highly funded in a lot of cases because it's "overhead." Like, that's what cookies funds, the staff salaries. But if we could just get funders to cover staff salaries, we could go so far.

Wow, that got long. Lots of thoughts on staff-led troops tho.