Crying

It took about 6 hours and I had my first crier- no, not a camper, this was a staff member. Yesterday while kids were showering and getting ready for bed (they’d been at camp since 3pm, it wasn’t even that long!) and Counselor S had red eyes and looked like she was going to lose it. I asked her to come in the staff locker room with me and when I closed the door, she burst into tears.

Counselor S is with the 7 year old girls this week. 7 years olds are adorable but sort of like kittens- they are everywhere and don’t listen and are very overwhelming. The first week is always overwhelming because in training, you think, “I’ll just have them get in a line, walk from point A to point B and it will be easy.” But in real life, all of the kids are talking to you at once, moving around, some listening, some totally oblivious, and you realize that it takes a lot of energy and organization.

Counselor S calmed down as I reminded her to take some deep breaths and relax. Her feeling is normal and it would get easier.

I expect that almost all of the staff will cry at some point this summer. You have very little free time, you get to the point of exhaustion, frustration and you are pushed to the edge of anything you’ve ever experienced. It’s normal to break down at some point. Most of them bounce back and are stronger for it. Every now and then someone quits, but those who stick it out leave the summer feeling stronger, more confident and proud of themselves. The horror stories that made them cry turn into stories of survival that make them laugh and shake their heads. Watching my staff grow is possibly the most magical part of working at camp. Kids have a great experience and gain skills and confidence, but the real growth is with the staff. And so it begins….