Everything I Need to Know I Learned From Being Camp Counselor
Thanks to O. for this one!
Hey,
As I think we all know, it is coming round to that time of year again, when thoughts begn to turn to camp. I found this poem on a website when I was browsing and I know I sent it to some of you already, but there is more. My computer died when I was trying to send you the alternative poem. So here are both of them once again!
THE TOUCHY FEELY SAPPY VERSION
Everything I need to know aboutlife I learnt as a camp Counselor...
A childs love is unconditional.
Children are always wiser than adults.
HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS
Saying I dont know is better than lying.
It's better to be older and wiser, not just older.
When a child hugs you, let them be the first to let go.
Be supportive of others.
Share.
You can't change someones life in a week, but you can make it one of their happiest.
Being taller and older does not make you smarter.
There's no problem that can't be overcome by a child's smile.
One week's memories will last a lifetime.
Children are the best teachers.
Trust has to be earned.
Nothng sounds better than a child's laughter.
It's ALWAYS for the kids....
Isn't that so true?!
Yes it is .... but what about those end of session pulling your hair out times??
THE OASIS RE-WRITE (A slightly more realistic poem!)
A child's love is unconditional.... but only if you let them stay up late, get up late, swim more, have more s'mores, and tell them your real name
Children are always wiser than adults... wiser in that they know they can ask to see the director, wiser in
that they know what it said in the brochure, wiser in that they know just how to push you to the limits!
HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS . . . apart from the NO TOUCHING rule; when it's tooooo hot and sticky; "Cassie leave Beamer alone, she does not need to be hugged 24 hours a day"!
Saying I don't know is better than lying... unless keep gettin asked "why don't you know?" "Can't you find out?"
"Last years counselors would have known!" "They know at my old
camp!"
It's better to be older and wiser, not just older.. except when they are pointing to boards in the lodge and saying 1990, that was years ago! And the wisdom does help us get away with "being sisters" "knowing the spice girls" "being born and raised in Ohio, and 'catching' the accent from Marmite'!!!)
When a child hugs you, let them be the first to let go.... Unlessyou are in danger of being permanently attached to a small child for the entire session!)
Be supportive of others... Can't think of an "except" for this one, unless I said something about not supporting the girls in their shower time photography sessions, or deodorant in the eye, shampoo in the mouth sessions!
Share... unless it's your last spray of Deet-free bug spray, your last lie in, or your last bit of glitter nail polish. But always share your awkward campers, sleepless campers, homesick campers, spiders, bugs, fears and problems.
You can't change someones life in a week, but you can make it one of their happiest... and they can make it one of your worst!
Being taller and older does not make you smarter... in reality no, but you can keep telling yourself that it does!)
There's no problem that can't be solved by a childs smile... except for the mosquitos, the rain, staff squabbles, camper squabbles, camper/staff squabbles, lame horses, tornados, lost shoes, jet skiers, random dogs, North Webster, humidity, mice, broken radios, oversleeping on island swim mornings, lack of ice cream on a hot evening... get the idea?
One weeks memories will last a lifetime... oh yeah, the good AND the bad... let me just say, intruders, homesickness (campers and staff), stalkers, Walmart trips, ventatia, closure (or lack thereof), bed throwing-bathroom locking campers, emergency room, emergency room, emergency room, etc etc, will probably last longer than a lifetime!
Children are the best teachers. . .
oh yeah, at 8 in the morning when you've been up all night singing to homesick kids, and still no one has showed up for flag ceramony, its all about letting the campers teach each other songs and games!
Trust has to be earned....
(can't disagree with this one either!)
Nothing sounds better than a child's laughter.... except maybe.... "anyone for icecream?" "You can have some time
off!" "Pyjama breakfast!" "Breakfast will be at 9 tomorrow!" "I'll deal with it!" "Have the night off." "Phone call for you." "The last kids and parents have gone" "staff meeting and then you're free until Sunday morning!" and we all know, best of all "YOU HAVE MAIL!")
Its always for the kids... except when it is about the parents, ACA, Safetywise, us, the horses, the weather, the money. But yes
I have to agree, even when you never want to see another
camper again, and in spite of the above, it is still ALWAYS about the
kids!
I'm so Looking forward to getting back there!
back to FORWARDS
