How to deal with the unexpected at summer camp

The prospect of travelling alone and taking part in something as huge as camp America can be daunting, especially when any expectations I had were based on the experiences of friends and The Parent Trap.

However, being someone who has always loved travel, adventure and meeting new people, I was incredibly excited about becoming a Camp Counsellor.

The first week was filled with meetings, icebreakers and training sessions, and I was soon having the best time with my new friends while preparing for the kids to come. But something I wasn’t as prepared for was when things go wrong- which in my case was spraining my ankle in the first week. Here are my tips on how I continued at camp while injured.

A twist of fate

In the first few days, a fellow counsellor and I decided to take an open tennis session for fun. I soon realised why I was placed as a Camp Advisor and not a Sports Counsellor because I fell over within the first half hour of playing and twisted my ankle. After a painful and painfully awkward trip to the hospital, it was confirmed… I had fallen victim (literally) to a sprained ankle.

The next few days were tough. I felt pretty helpless, and the recovery time was unclear. Suddenly steps behind the other counsellors, I had to miss training sessions and group activities, and I’ll admit, I even questioned throwing in the towel. Trust me when I tell you that camp life can be hard, injury or not. It’s an intense role that will make the most level-headed person question whether they are cut out for it.

Look for the positives

Cliché, but important. It’s easy to dwell on the negative aspects of what has happened, especially when you feel helpless and like you can’t perform your role to your best ability. Even without the ankle injury, I found that camp wasn’t always the ‘Camp Rock’ dream that I thought it would be. There were times that myself and other counsellors struggled with our mental health and energy levels. Discovering that fellow campmates were having similar experiences, I felt more at ease and more able to keep up my positive attitude. Even the most enthusiastic and cheery campers can struggle at times, but overall, it’s important to look for the positives.

Don't be afraid to ask for help

Camp can be a completely new experience for many of us who didn’t grow up attending a summer camp. You might feel completely overwhelmed with information, confused and even vulnerable. But you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help - Camp Admin, Advisors and even fellow campmates are around to help you.

When I first joined, I was afraid that if I asked for help, I would come across as inexperienced or hesitant especially as an advisor expected to be at the top of my game. I felt as though people expected to look up to me for help and therefore, I shouldn’t do the same.

In terms of my ankle, I struggled to ask for any kind of help or special assistance from Camp Admin because I didn’t want to be a burden. However, I needed more help than I thought and that was okay. It can be an incredibly pressure-induced job at times which is why it is so important to have friends at camp to support each other through this experience. Soon enough I was having fellow campmates offer to grab me a plate for dinner, carry my notebooks and ride in a golf cart to get me around. I felt relieved that I could trust in others to help me through it.

Don’t push yourself beyond your limit

Trust me, pushing yourself beyond your limit will make you feel worse. There were times when I would push myself too hard instead of taking the time I needed to heal. There may be times in your camp experience when you feel pushed beyond your limits, injury or not, and if you do feel as though you need a break don’t be afraid to talk to your co-counsellors and advisors. Do not suffer alone. Communication is key to get through challenges.

Remember, you need to be at the top of your game to do your part in giving the campers the best summer camp experience- but you should also be kind to yourself and have fun! You can’t help others without helping yourself first.

Patience really is a virtue

Recovery can take time, but you will get through it. There was a point near the beginning of camp where I felt homesick and wanted to go home. I didn’t know how long my ankle would take to heal and I struggled to see myself enjoying the experience. Nonetheless, I persevered and within a couple of weeks I felt ten times better and ready to enjoy the summer.

This can apply to more than just physical injuries too. There is a big adjustment period at the beginning of camp. You may feel overwhelmed and alone — but many campers around you may feel the same. Life at camp can be a huge culture shock! Traditions and camp culture are something that many people, myself included, have never been a part of before. It can take time to adjust and learn the ways of the individual camps; the songs, chants, routines. As challenging as that may be, you should embrace the new experiences and be patient. Learning is all part of the fun, and returning staff and campers will be more than happy to help.

Final thoughts

As it turns out, I ended up not being the only person to injure themselves. There were several campers and counsellors who ended up sporting the crutch. And whilst this was incredibly unfortunate - accidents do happen. Understanding the pains and frustrations, I was able to help them as they had helped me.

This is why I wanted to write about my experience. These things are more common than you might think, and if you are in search of a guide or just an insight into camp life with an injury, I hope this has helped you. I’m incredibly grateful for not giving up on the experience of a lifetime after my injury. I ended up making the most incredible memories and meeting people who I now consider some of my closest friends.

Take it from my experience. Next time you are struggling with something unexpected or feel as though you can’t persevere; remember that you can and will overcome it. You might even learn from it. Finding inner strength to overcome challenges is a valuable personal skill that you can carry with you throughout life and future careers. If you work through the tough times, life as a Camp Counsellor might just become one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever have!

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