Being a Kid

Camp is a super fun job, but whether I'm having fun or not is mostly based on if kids are having fun and if everything is going smoothly. My fun isn't playing games or doing activities, and that's okay, at the risk of sounding totally lame, I have little desire to participate in most things campers are doing. Even when I was a camper, I can remember standing on the sidelines with the counselors, thinking (even as an 8 year old), "I'd like to be supervising this and if I was, I would do things differently..." I like to facilitate fun, but don't expect to see me playing soccer any time soon.

Every now and then, we have activities that I participate in, like the all-camp jello fight or making s'mores and I enjoy myself as an individual, not as a satisfied overseer. It is times like those that make camp really special, because, as I get caught in the moment, laughing, running, playing and absolutely carefree and childlike, I am always amazed that this is a job I am getting paid for.

This week, my little cousins are campers at camp. They are used to me going out and playing with them on holidays or other family get togethers. And so when we had spontaneous all camp swim last night, my cousin K said, "are you swimming?!" and I answered, "sure!" And it was really fun. We jumped off the dock and she rated my cannonball as "terrific". The staff and other campers were a little surprised to see me splashing around, but it was really fun. Today, during third hour swim time (K's swim time), I turned off the computer and put away the paperwork and headed down to the beach. I spent an hour jumping off the dock, playing "Marco Polo" and splashing around with kids. They were totally into it and it was a great reminder of why I always tell staff that connecting with kids, building relationships and interacting is the most memorable thing for kids, not how elaborate the activities or fancy the facilities. And I am also reminded why this job is the best job EVER! Where else do you get paid to play?!!