Real Job

When I started working at camp 11 years ago it was mostly because I would be able to work on my tan, but also because kids are cute and hanging out with a bunch of them seemed like an easy job. Singing songs, playing games, swimming... none of that seemed like a "real job" and thus, it was the perfect summer plan.

What they don't tell you is that managing a group of children requires an immense amount of organizational skills, the ability to multi-task, pay close attention to detail, maintain professionalism at all times (despite utter exhaustion), think on your feet, be flexible... the list could go on for pages and pages. Yes, there are lots of silly songs and fun games, but working at camp is the best place to learn real life skills that are applicable to any job that you go on to have.

As we begin our 4th week of campers (5th week being at camp), staff are realizing that this isn't just a summer of fun in the sun, but rather the ultimate lesson in professionalism.

If, for instance, you are an 18 year old junior counselor and you tell the 50 year old Health Director what's on your mind, complete with the "talk to the hand" and hair flip/walk away move, you will get a 10pm sit down with the Director for a discussion on communication and also a lesson on hierarchy.

If, for instance, you turn in your weekly paperwork and it is not done correctly, the Program Director will hand it back and expect it to be re-done... it doesn't matter that it's break time.

If, for instance, you request to lead a different activity than what is scheduled, because you "don't wanna do that activity" you will learn that, "thank you for sharing your feelings on this subject but you have to do what is scheduled" is code for, "suck it up and do what I say because I was working on schedules until 11pm last night and I don't care what activities you like- you aren't a camper."

There are times when I want to shake my staff, but mostly, I hope that this summer helps them grow professionally and prepare for a future career. And so this week is mid summer staff reviews. At the end of last week I handed out forms they had to fill out. I filled out the same forms and throughout the week, I will meet with each staff member and go over what we've both written. It is a great opportunity to check in, affirm their strengths and give them direction on what to improve. It is also good because it gives them a list of "real world" skills that they can use on a resume to explain their experience at camp. Also, this is the first time many of them have been through a review so it is good experience.

Despite my repeatedly telling them it would be painless and a good experience, the buzz around camp is that some people are desperately nervous. The second meeting I had today began with Counselor B bursting into tears, telling me she had been on the phone with her mom earlier in the week, crying because she was so nervous for this review. She is a very strong counselor and had a great review, but she'd had some previous bad boss experiences and is thus absolutely terrified of me. My hope for her this summer is that her confidence will grow and she will stop cowering whenever I walk by.