From Camper to Counselor
Loads more responsibility, yet always a ton
of fun.
by Ann-Marie Nieves
TWEENS
& TEENS News February 2008
Southwoods sleepaway camp, a ten-year-old
camp in the Adirondacks, had a whopping 26
campers return as counselors this past summer.
While owner/director Scott Ralls was thrilled
that the kids he watched grow up would continue
to be part of the Southwoods extended family,
he knew that some would face a rude awakening.
“The camp experience provides kids with
a second family, a bonding so strong and unique
it could last many years,” says Ralls.
“So it’s not unusual that campers
return as counselors. However, as counselors,
we have very different expectations of them,
and the responsibility of watching after children
is huge. It’s my duty to make sure we
mold our new counselors into good adults.”
Though school began months ago and you’ve
traded in your bathing suits for backpacks,
camps throughout the United States are actively
searching out staffers for summer 2008. If
you’re contemplating becoming a camp
counselor, there’s a lot to consider.
But ultimately, being a camp counselor is
a rewarding experience in which you’ll
amass great skills to influence your future
career endeavors.
Like Southwoods, Rosmarins Day Camp in Orange
County, New York, and Bank Street Day Camp
in New York City have been training counselors
for decades. Here’s insight from the
camps to reveal more about the counselor experience.
What if you never went to camp?
That’s totally cool! Camps generally
last a few weeks and start at the end of June.
If you choose sleepaway over day camp, expect
your job to be 24/7. At day camp, most counselors
work up to eight hours daily, and some even
longer if there are extended day programs.
As each camp operates differently, do your
own research on a camp before applying for
a position.
Whether at sleepaway or day camp, each position
means overseeing and participating in countless
indoor and outdoor activities. Thus, energy
and enthusiasm are musts.
For teens ages 13-16, some camps offer Counselor-in-Training
(CIT) programs that are part educational,
part fun. Technically, you’re not really
“working” at the camp when you’re
a CIT. Sorry no paycheck! Rather, these programs
are designed for teens to develop the skills
for becoming effective camp counselors. Many
camps actually require CITs to pay tuition
to attend camp.
At Rosmarins Day Camp, a 50-year-old family-owned
business, owner Scott Rosmarin has a special
CIT program that combines leadership training
with nighttime and weekend activities like
rafting, bowling and attending Broadway shows.
“Joining a CIT program is really a great
entrée into the camp counselor world
while still giving younger teens the chance
to enjoy their summertime for a little while
longer,” says Rosmarin. “Most
importantly, a CIT is learning really important
leadership skills that will carry a lot of
weight in the future.”
Got Skills?
You may consider looking for positions at
camps that suit your strengths. Perhaps you
play an instrument in the band or have been
taking dance lessons for years. Maybe you’re
really into theater, baseball or sci-fi. These
days there are camps that fulfill every hobby
and interest. Similarly, if you’ve been
doing pirouettes since age 3, you may find
a fitting summer job at a dance camp.
Even if your talents don’t lead you
to a specialized camp, you may be able to
share your knowledge at traditional camps
where all types of activities abound.
“And it’s vital to know how to
swim!” emphasizes Rosmarin. “Even
if you work in a specialty camp, chances are
the campers will be swimming weekly if not
multiple times throughout the day.”
Campers and camp directors want you to be
in the water with the kids, not watching from
the sidelines.
Experience Counts
Bottom line: You need experience and the desire
to work with children. If you’ve been
babysitting for your neighbors for the past
year, then you’re well on your way.
If you want to work with children, but lack
experience, Ralls suggests speaking to local
youth and daycare centers about possible volunteer
opportunities.
Ralls also suggests that students looking
for a sleepaway camp position first try tending
to kids at day camp. “Working at a sleepaway
camp is an enormous responsibility. When you
choose to work with kids, you have to be able
to put yourself and your needs second. Even
if it’s lights out time, there may be
a young kid who wets the bed at night. The
responsibility is yours even if it’s
3am.”
To help CITs transition to counselor positions,
Bank Street has a babysitter list to which
teens may add their names. The list also helps
counselors and campers maintain the bonds
created during the summer.
“We’ve found that many of the
CITs and counselors miss their campers after
summer is over, and we wanted to give the
Bank Street families and counselors a chance
to continue their relationships throughout
the year,” says director Cookie Shapiro.
“It’s a win-win situation for
all parties involved.”
It Gets Physical
According to camp directors, most counselors
underestimate the physical risks associated
with the job. If you’ve been a camper,
then you’re probably familiar with being
stinky, dirty and wet from lots of sports,
swimming and other aquatic activities. Along
with being stinky, dirty and wet often comes
falls, scrapes, bruises and broken bones.
Though knowledge of first aid and CPR certainly
helps, many camps offer this training during
orientation. Most camps also train counselors
in responding to disaster situations.
It Gets Emotional
Most directors will tell you to always act
as you would if the children’s parents
were standing right beside you. As a counselor,
you are a role model. Kids will mimic you,
often watching what you do and listening to
what you say. Be careful with your words and
your actions.
Furthermore, consider your own goals for working
at a summer camp. If you accept a position
thinking you want to change children’s
behaviors, there is going to be a problem.
When you come to camp as a counselor, your
job is to manage behaviors, not change them,
says Ralls. Also, avoid slipping into immaturity
when around children. Remember, you’re
there to nurture your campers’ development.
“As a counselor you really have the
chance to help kids be good at what they are
doing,” says Shapiro. “Your goal
is not to be the best counselor— it’s
to help kids reach their potential.”
They’re Watching
Here’s a list of camp contraband for
counselors: iPods, cell phones, Sidekicks,
mp3 players, Nintendo DS Lite… you get
the picture. Ensure your campers don’t
have these electronics either. Most camps
have strict policies against the use of electronic
devices— leave them at home.
And, believe it or not, camp supervisors and
directors troll your Myspace and Facebook
pages to confirm you’re not writing
anything about the campers. Southwoods makes
counselors sign a contract as to what they
can and can’t put on these social networking
sites.
Finally, keep attire simple and reserved.
“It’s really important that all
campers are on a level playing field, so we
need our counselors to abide by those same
rules,” says Ralls. “Counselors
need to stay grounded,” adds Rosmarin,
“and not get caught up in something
that takes them away from their duties.”
Be Proud
If you’ve made the decision to work
with kids, give yourself props. Just think
about the great memories you’ll help
create for bus-loads of kids. Besides, if
you do your job extremely well, there are
usually tips from parents at the end of the
summer!
Ann-Marie Nieves is a writer/public relations
associate for the ONswitch, an innovative
marketing and public relations firm that has
designed award-winning programs for many sleepaway
and day camps throughout the country.
