3 Things That Summer Camp Brings Out in You That You Didn’t Know You Had
Hey! I’m Mark, I’ve spent four years working at camp. It is a place where I am at my best and after working at camp, it will be yours too!
When I was younger I’d often hear the phrase ‘you’re quite quiet, you should try and be more outgoing’ which I’m sure many can relate to. Years later I’m still the quieter person of a group except for one place…Summer Camp! Here are three elements that summer camp will bring out in you over the course of a magical summer.
Confidence
You’ll be stepping out of your comfort zone into a new environment, mixed in with new people and leading activities you may have never heard of before. It sounds totally crazy, but after a week or so at camp, you’ll master so much new knowledge. You’ll be an expert in the contentious and ever-changing rules of Gaga Ball, able to referee a pit of energetic and competitive children. Whilst your personality type may sit on the quieter side initially, by the time you finish the summer, you’ll be the first one onto the stage to belt out your favourite campfire song as loud as possible, I know this because this was me in my first summer!
Creativity
No one is more creative than a camp counsellor who suddenly needs to entertain their cabin group, or is planning an all-camp evening program or theme day. Creating crazy costumes from the most random items and outfits, tying together your thousandth friendship bracelet of the summer for your favourite campers (all of them!). Camp people are some of the biggest problem solvers who love creative solutions. Thinking on your feet is essential at camp, where things are always evolving and is a great skill you will develop throughout the summer to take back home.
Community and Connection
One of the critical cornerstones of summer camp is community. This ranges from the specific camp community you work with to the wider network of all camping professionals worldwide. One of the biggest takeaways from camp is the connections you make along the way, it’s a cliche but you really make friends for life. From the bonds formed in the summer, you will build a network of close friends across the globe. Suddenly the world feels smaller with more friendly faces scattered across the continents, which is one of the many benefits to working a summer abroad!
Working at a summer camp can be a transformative experience that not only teaches you transferable skills but can help you discover and develop personal qualities that may surprise you! Applications for 2024 are now open, start your Canadian adventure here.
