My oldest daughter left for camp today to start her 3rd summer as a counselor and 11th overall at camp. Her summers at camp have been impactful to say the least, giving her all the benefits a parent can hope for: independence, resilience, grit, new experiences and tremendous friendships. Over the years, she has also completed incredible backpacking trips and community service experiences, but camp has always been the constant.
The transition from camper to counselor is huge, as years of carefree summer fun quickly give way to real responsibility. Staff training includes how to deal with homesickness, bed wetting, hygiene, neurodivergence, group dynamics, conflict resolution, and safety procedures in all areas of camp. Yet, many issues that counselors deal with are not easily covered in staff training and require creativity, flexibility, and “on the job” skill development. A good counselor can spot problems before they explode, always with an eye to ensure that cabin dynamics are not negatively impacted. They learn to meet campers where they are and problem solve in real-time. A key set of skills is identifying the kid who needs extra support, figuring out how to give the camper what he or she needs, and offering such support without taking away from other campers who also need a counselor’s guidance and positive presence. Issues differ by age group, and counselors need to be able to handle an 8 year old who might be afraid of the lake or a 14 year old who struggles to make friends. All this while maintaining a positive attitude and enthusiasm for a job that is both not well-paid and basically 24 hours a day.
The skills developed as a counselor at sleepaway camp or an instructor on a teen trip are easily transferable to life beyond camp – whether it’s living with people unlike you, understanding how to motivate others, working with a team towards a mutual outcome, dealing with difficult bosses, and staying positive even in the most unpleasant circumstances – these skills are invaluable for any adult.
Tips on Trips and Camps can help direct you to an overnight summer camp or trip that will give your kids a chance to be guided by these incredible counselors – and perhaps become one themselves someday!
Much has been written about the rise in loneliness among kids, teens, and adults. Former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has called loneliness an epidemic, leading to public health issues such as addiction, violence, depression and anxiety. As we become more connected via social media and technology, we find ourselves increasingly alone. In his book Together: the Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World, Murthy describes our world as one that emphasizes the individual, leading to a further breakdown of social connections. In children, the impact is severe, as studies have shown that 40% of kids experience mild to moderate loneliness, and 10% feel severely alone. New York Times writer Kathryn Jezer-Morton recently wrote about the challenges of parenting a lonely child – seeing a child feeling left out or apart from a social group is both painful and worrisome. And as we know, it is difficult as a parent to create a friend group or force a social interaction for a child or teen.
