Many of us have awesome memories from summer camp. Nights by the campfire singing our lungs out and munching on s’mores. Laughter filled days swimming at the lake, riding horses, and shooting targets at the archery range.
We made friendships, dealt with crushes, got homesick, and enriched our lives. Summer camp was an integral part of many people’s childhood. And each summer millions of kids across the nation attend summer camps that will influence them for years to come.
As an adult, you may not get to have this experience. But if you can remember that far back, you probably could point out some of the adults who impacted your life.
Those are the people we are looking for. People who can impact a child’s life during summer camp and help them gain incredible experiences that will translate into great things in their life.
But what kind of difference could you make working at summer camp? How could you change a child’s life?
Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the impacts you might have while working at summer camp this summer.
1. Teach Physical Skills While Working At Summer Camp
There’s no doubt that camp is full of activity. Physical activity is probably what you spend the most time doing at a summer camp. You ride horses and mountain bikes, swim, climb, complete ropes course challenges and make crafts.
Some summer camps even have trips outside of camp. Campers sometimes go on short backpacking trips, rock climbing trips, and rafting trips.
But working at summer camp, you will have the opportunity to help children learn physical skills they would otherwise not have known about.
Ask yourself, what is your passion?
Do you have a passion for the outdoors? Do you have a skill you can teach? Are you certified in any physical sports instruction?
You might have the opportunity to help kids develop their physical bodies and their coordination. You will help them learn teamwork and how to overcome their fears. And it’s incredibly rewarding to watch them succeed.
2. Teach Life Skills While Working At Summer Camp
In the regular work week, how much conflict do you deal with? The average employee spends at least 2.8 hours dealing with conflict. What does this have to do with working at summer camp?
It has everything to do with working at summer camp. Children learn to deal with things like conflict when in large groups.
And conflict will inevitably arise at summer camp. Most camps have a short course at the beginning of the summer that helps adults teach children how to deal with and resolve conflicts.
If a child learns improper ways to deal with conflict, this will have a lasting negative impact on their lives.
But if they come to summer camp and learn appropriate ways to deal with conflict, they will carry this wisdom through to the rest of their lives. Working at summer camp will give you an opportunity to teach children important life skills.
3. Teach Kids That Life Isn’t Just About Rules And Boring Things
Summer camp isn’t just about learning serious life skills. It’s also about learning to let go.
If you’ve ever mourned the loss of your childhood, you might actually find it while working at summer camp.
Summer camps are generally geared toward having fun. But some counselors try to be drill sergeants instead. You might have even had one of those when you attended.
You have an opportunity to teach kids that, although there are rules to follow, it’s ok to have fun once you know the rules. And, who knows, maybe you’ll learn to let go and have fun again too!
4. Ensure A Safe Environment For Children While Working At Summer Camp
Some children come from very unsafe places when they visit summer camp. We have children from inner cities or abusive homes.
When children who live in unsafe environments come to summer camp, they are looking for a safe place to have fun and grow.
The Maori people have a health model they rely on and it’s a good one to remember when working with children.
The Maori health model uses the metaphor of a house. A house with four firm walls stands strong and provides a safe place. But a house with broken walls can’t.
The four walls of a Maori house are physical, spiritual, family, and mental health.
We might struggle in one of these areas, but we have most of our walls intact. Some children come to camp with one or more of these walls crumbling.
You have the opportunity to help children build up the walls of their house.
5. Teach Kids That They Fit With The Whole
While individual expression is encouraged at summer camp, children can sometimes feel lost in large groups.
You will be there to find the ones who feel lost. You will be there to help incorporate children into the whole of summer camp.
Working at summer camp can be a rewarding experience if you help even one child feel welcomed into the group.
6. Empower Children To Lead While Working At Summer Camp
The greatest leaders lead from behind. One of the awesome and humbling things about working at summer camp is learning to be a servant to all.
If you come to summer camp with a fun spirit and a humble heart, you will bring up tomorrow’s leaders. Come to summer camp and help them learn to fight the battle of life.
7. Be Someone’s Hero Working At Summer Camp
Have you ever had the dream of being a superhero? You may not have super powers, but the children at summer camp will definitely look up to you.
You will be someone’s hero while working at summer camp. Whether you’re a counselor, a doctor, a nurse, a cook, or an activity instructor, you will inspire someone to do awesome things in their life.
If you’re looking to empower children or even if you’re just looking to find your lost childhood while working with youth, opportunities abound.
Join our team to find prospective summer camp opportunities all over the United States. You won’t ever regret doing so.