So You’re Worried about…
Committing your whole summer to serve as a counselor is a BIG deal, and it’s natural to have a few worries. No matter how much we’ve told you “it’s going to be great!” (and we know we say that a lot), until you’ve done it, the uncertainty can be hard. So we’ve rounded up a few of the FAQ’s we’ve heard, just in case they make you a little nervous too.
Are you worrying about something specific? Please please reach out to us. That’s what we’re here for, and we would so love to talk it through with you and see if we can help. So take a deep breath, lean on Jesus, and trust us. This summer really is going to be great!
The summer seems so long. What if I burn-out, or can’t do it?
We get it - the summer does seem so long when you’re looking at it from the top! And the fact that you’re even thinking about this shows that you know that this job isn’t always a cakewalk, which is a good thing. But a few different things here:
- The weeks fly by faster than you realize. Once we’re in the swing of camp, you will blink, and the summer is over.
- We make sure you have time to rest daily, weekly, and throughout the session. Read more about what time-off looks like here, but we know rest is important, and we help you have opportunities to recharge regularly.
- You have so many people here to help you and cheer you on. We will all have hard moments this summer (that’s life!), but at camp more than most jobs, you have so many people on your team to help you out. All you have to do is say the word, and we will help you through any bump in the road!
It feels like everyone else knows each other already. How am I going to make friends?
Well first of all, let’s dispel that myth: there are so many staff members thinking the exact same thing as you! Even if you were a camper for many years, you still may not be sure of who your friends will be on staff.
We actually wrote a big section on this in our February Staff Newsletter, so check there for more, but our biggest piece of advice would be to come in with a big smile and go out of your way to introduce yourself and talk to people. Camp people are friendly - that’s why you have this job! And everyone always wants a new friend.
So take advantage of the time you have during Orientation and other staff-specific moments during the summer to take a deep breath, stretch yourself, and be the one that says “hi” first. You are going to make friends so quickly here, but it doesn’t happen by accident!
What if there’s a situation where I don’t know what to do?
That is what we are here for! One of the best things about camp is that we live in a community. There will almost always be another counselor or Head Staff member around or in close proximity who can jump in and help you.
We love questions at camp! So if you’re ever wondering “what would happen if…” or “what should I do if…”, during Orientation or afterward, just ask. We are going to go over so many different scenarios in Orientation and train you on how to handle all of them, but inevitably, there may be something that comes up that throws you for a loop! This is where we’d encourage you to take a pause, look around you for help, and always defer to the safest, most loving thing.
I have a worry that’s not listed here. What do I do?
Like we said, it’s okay to be a little worried - we all can feel worried before doing something new! That tells you that your body knows this is a big deal. That being said, it may be normal, but that doesn’t mean we can’t help!
Wondering about something specific? Just shoot or an email or text. We want you to come to us with stuff - this is why we’re here! And more than anything, start praying through it. Trust that God led you to this place for a reason and is going to use your camp experience for your good and His glory. That is where our hope comes from!