Advice for first time counsellors at summer camp

So you’ve signed up to do Summer Camp USA but don’t know what to expect? While your first summer will be all about new experiences and learning, a few pre-arrival tips will help you start camp on the right foot.

Amelia, camp counsellor, shares 5 tips she wish she had known before arriving at camp.

Tips for first-time counsellors

Arrive at summer camp with no assumptions

The best way to enter your first summer at camp is with absolutely no expectations. While there are thousands of stories, YouTube videos or TikTok’s that can help you learn more about what your experience might be like, it is important to remember that these can be very camp specific.

Often your camp will have a platform or contact where you can ask any burning questions, but usually camps give you plenty of information as to what you may need or things that may happen while you are there. Ultimately, you are also in charge of your own experience as well. Going in with a no expectations mindset will help you to get comfortable quickly and maximize having a positive time from day one.

It is truly the best two months you will ever have and don’t worry about not making any friends. You will be surrounded by many like-minded people, especially in your department. Many others will be experiencing things for the first time just like you.

Your camp days will change once the kids arrive

Orientation is a great week or two that allows you to meet lots of new faces and really become comfortable with your new surroundings. You’ll be involved in many ice breaker games and learn a lot about your role at camp and what to expect when the kids arrive. While orientation is a great tool which will enable to you find this new comfort, everything will change again once the campers arrive.

Nothing can quite prepare you for the madness of arrival day, but it’s a great way to learn to just roll with the punches. I hung out with friends in junior camp during orientation but, once the kids arrived, I probably saw them about once a week maybe twice if we were lucky. You will likely have a lot more tasks required of you and a completely different schedule.

Ultimately though you are there to embrace everything about camp, and of course the kids are the main part. So although things definitely change when campers arrive, if you embrace it and lean on those you made friends with during your first few weeks, you’ll have an incredible experience.

Take every opportunity at summer camp

Your summer camp in America will be an experience like no other. Therefore, capitalising on every opportunity is a must. Whether it's to help out with something different on site, or going to a new place on your day or night off, it's likely you won’t regret saying yes.

Towards the end of summer, you’ll feel tired and some days may feel harder than others, but often this is when the really fun things start to happen. You may have more events at camp, there may be more activities for staff, or you may just want to soak up the time you have left with your new friends (that won’t feel so new anymore). Once you hit halfway, the final weeks will fly by so it's crucial you make the most of it and don’t take it for granted.

Don’t forget to take time for yourself

Although making the most of every experience is a must, it is still very important to prioritize some time to yourself. Living with the campers as well as your co-counsellors can be a lot, especially as everyone starts getting tired. Using your night off or if you have time off during the day to do something for yourself will make all the difference.

Whether its reading a book, going for a walk or simply having a nap where possible, it can be an easy way to reset. Being social is a large part of your summer camp experience, but your social battery will start to decrease after being surrounded by others for 8 weeks, so taking time to yourself when you can is extremely important

It's the hardest job you’ll ever love...

This quote has really stuck with me over the summers I have been at camp. It's no lie that although you will be having the best time, some days can be tougher than others. You might be in the bunk all afternoon because it's raining, you may have had less sleep the night before, or your body is starting to feel tired. But I often revert back to this quote these days and remind myself that I would much rather be outside, playing sport, doing fun activities than being stuck behind a desk at home. I am also happy to be skipping a New Zealand winter.

If you find a method to work through these days, it will truly help you and your full experience. Sometimes it may be talking to your friend, calling home, reading a book, or going for a walk. But once you reach your final days, you will wish your summer will never end, and be counting down the days till the next.

Making the decision to work at a USA summer camp will be an experience of a lifetime. Your days will feel long, but your weeks short. While it may feel daunting right now, once you arrive you’ll feel right at home in no time and have a bunch of new friends from all over the world.