Self-Care at Camp

Have you ever heard the saying, “you can’t pour from an empty cup?” It’s true, and it’s especially true in a service-oriented job like this one!

You will be working long days, caring for campers’ physical and emotional needs, and jumping in wherever you’re needed to help camp run smoothly. (You’ll also be having a lot of fun, but that’s a different subject!) Working at Greystone is all about service, and our best counselors constantly practice self-care so that they have the energy and enthusiasm to do the job well.

Taking care of yourself at camp isn’t selfish - it’s essential! So let’s talk about what it looks like to practice self-care this summer, and how you can start preparing for that even now.

The Basics:

First of all, we want you to know that helping you care for yourself this summer is a big priority for us! You’ll be hearing lots more during Orientation about how we’ll support you in this job, what resources you can utilize while you’re here, and how taking care of your MESH (mental, emotional, and social health) will set you up to navigate the ups and downs of camp life. But for now, know that we care about your self-care! This is a conversation we want to continue throughout the summer, and if you ever have questions or think of ways we can support you better, we’d love to talk to you.

While self-care is an individual practice, there are lots of routines that are already baked into camp life that will provide a solid foundation for your physical and mental health this summer. Jumping into the camp routine may help you feel healthier than you do during the school year! At Greystone, we talk a lot about the 4-Fold Way (Spiritual, Social, Mental, and Physical growth), and those categories have a lot to do with self-care. Here are just a few of the ways you will automatically be caring for yourself at camp:

• Spiritual Health: We talk about faith all the time at camp! We pray as a group multiple times a day, and you’ll be hearing (or giving!) devotions every day at Morning Assembly and in your cabin at night. You can look forward to church every Sunday, times for Praise and Worship, and a dedicated camp minister available if you ever want to chat. This page has a lot more info on the spiritual resources we provide and how to get the most out of them this summer!
• Social Health: We were made to live in a community, and camp is nothing if not that! You will be surrounded by friends who love and care about you, who are going through the same thing as you are. Deep and Meaningful Conversations (DMCs) are a big deal at camp! Staff community is a priority for us over the summer, and we make time on the calendar for staff bonding and fun.
• Mental Health: This job will challenge you and stretch you, but we are ready to support you and provide you with the resources to face those difficulties with resilience. Our Honor Code lays the foundation for mental growth here at camp as we shift our perspectives and learn to show kindness, see the good, and take ownership, all for the glory of God.
• Physical Health: Did you know that research says that exercise is the single best way to manage stress? Good thing you’ll be moving a lot this summer! You’ll also be eating well-balanced meals, getting plenty of sleep (that one is huge!), and soaking up so much fresh air and sunshine.

Those are just a few ways that our camp structure can support your self-care, but the story doesn’t end there! It’s entirely possible for you to go through the routine all summer long and end up burned out with nothing left in your tank.

Self-care is something you have to choose to prioritize this summer; we have resources available for you, but you have to take the time to use them in a way that’s going to fill you up. This is where some pre-summer reflection will help you a lot.

Take some time to reflect on what self-care looks like in your life right now.

Ask yourself some questions:

• What activities feel most life-giving to me?
• When I’m stressed or overwhelmed, what’s the first thing I want to do?
• Do I get energy from being with people or being by myself?
• What practices or routines help me feel like the best version of myself?

There are no wrong answers here, but some self-care practices will be easier to do at camp than others. Self-care means something different to everyone - it is not one size fits all! Figuring out what it looks like for YOU to take care of yourself is key. That will be important to know as you consider the resources we offer, and how you can best use those this summer

What resources does camp provide for staff self-care?

This could be a LONG section, but we’ll keep it brief for now! These are just a few of the things we can help you with this summer - expect to hear a lot more about these (and many more!) during Orientation. Are you wondering about a particular resource or how you can practice self-care at camp? Just reach out - we would love to give you all the details and help you figure out how you can be your best this summer.

• Resources for Spiritual Growth
• A fitness room and River Trail for exercise
• Resources to make your time-off restful and restorative
• Regular staff events for community and connection
• Time and space to be by yourself or with friends
• Daily Rest Hours to read, write letters, or take a nap
• Routine, specific feedback throughout the summer
• Nights off to check your phone, run to town, or enjoy a staff event
• Regular check-ins with a Group Leader who can help you get creative and find time for your self-care
• And so much more!