Connection

The Lead Staff have gone out for drinks a few times this summer and on Friday, we invited Nurse S who was spending an extra night at camp because she and her husband were going up north the next day.

Nurse S has been a volunteer nurse for the past four years. She comes up for a week each summer and has gotten to know me, camp and some of the staff very well. She and her family come to all of the camp events and she is a huge supporter of camp. I like her a lot and I didn't think twice about including her when we went out for drinks. Anyone can come with us, we aren't an exclusive group, it's just that most of the staff are younger and would prefer to hang out together, and not with their boss.

So I was surprised when Nurse J told me how touched Nurse S had been to be included in our outing. She really appreciated being invited. I think it is easy to forget, that even once people are grown adults, with families and lives, and not dealing with peer pressure or fitting in, that even then, everyone just wants to be included.

This year, more than ever before, I've watched staff (and volunteers) struggle with insecurity over their "place" at camp. Camp, more than any other job, is such an emotional connection. It's not just this camp either, I've heard this same thing at multiple camps, from other camp directors, at camp trainings, etc. I referred to the first camp I worked at as "my camp" for several years after I'd left. The connection that people make, the traditions, the feeling of belonging, and just the overall feeling of camp lead people to become very attached. And with that attachment can also come an insecurity. People want to make sure there is still a place for them.

I have worked hard to create a strong community and a "camp family" atmosphere. It's a great thing, but it also means that people get emotional about camp and want to make sure they matter. Part of my job is to manage people's egos, people's emotion and make sure they continue to feel valued, connected and part of the community.

For me, I NEED staff and volunteers- I couldn't do this alone. So in my mind, I think, "OF COURSE I still need you! Why would you question that?!" It never even crossed my mind that Nurse S wouldn't be included or have a place with us. If anything, I was hoping she would WANT to come with us. So hearing that she was so happy to be included was a good reminder to me that people need to be told they are valued, even if it seems obvious to me that they are. It's so important to share good, positive, happy feedback and never assume people know you are pleased.