Camp Counseling as an Internship in Real Life...

 I just a few short weeks, school buses will cease running their routes, teachers will finish entering grades for the semester, and summer will "officially" begin.  YMCA Camp will begin what will be their 81st summer on the shores of Lake Wylie.  The task of interviewing and subsequently hiring over 150 college-aged students to lead all of those seeking the magic that can only be found at summer camp will come to a close for the 2016 season.  Having this experience is one of the great pleasures I enjoy.  I say that as I sincerely believe that the experience of spending a summer serving as a camp counselor can truly be one of the most transformational experiences one can have.
     For many T-Bird counselors, camp is a place that allows them to make their best friendships.  They can laugh their hardest, and they can find a place where they can truly be themselves.  They are challenged to stretch and grow while encouraging campers to do the same.  The responsibility is not for the faint of heart.  You see, counselors actually serve as "parents" to the over 400 campers in attendance each session.  The experience of meeting campers and accepting them just as they are can be a challenge, but it is one that can leave leaders feeling more than a little accomplished.
     One of the biggest challenges facing camp directors is competing with colleges that now require internships.  These institutions of higher learning want their students to try on life.  What better venue to try on life than by working at summer camp?  Counselors must develop social skills and interact with all kinds of people.  They must work collaboratively with a group of other college-aged staffers to create memorable experiences for children.  Furthermore, staff must display strong character as the campers in their charge will quickly point to inconsistencies in the words spoken by their counselors and the actions displayed. The benefits of working at summer camp can easily be defined as improving communication skills, learning to collaborate,  learning to solve "real-world" problems-just to mention a few.  If we are talking about life skills, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that summer camp counselors learn to be creative.  The onset of sudden summer shower calls for creativity and flexibility.  To list every benefit of serving as a camp counselor would take volumes of written text.
   A first year junior counselor wrote," Camp its a place where spirits grow, friendships form, and you realize the deepest of love.  Camp is home."  We are still seeking a few staff members for Summer 2016.  If you or someone you know is looking for a summer experience that will provide opportunities to touch the future, we hope to hear from you in days to come.  We'd love to share a little of the magic that exists here on these shores of Lake Wylie!