During the summer, there are a few things that can instantly transport me back to my years as a summer camp counselor.
The sound of a boat starting.
I spent so many hours on the water water skiing, windsurfing and swimming.
The crack of a cold soda and smell of peanut butter.
They provided perfect fuel for hikes, ventures into the forest and trail treks.
The feel of bare feet in the grass.
Photobooths and photostrips.
The bright light of a flashlight illuminating a small circle across the room.
Burnt orange sunsets with the smell of smoke in the distance.
Working as a summer camp counselor was an incredibly rewarding experience — it taught me patience (kids + bug juice + s’mores + no electricity = long days), teamwork and leadership, and it also set me up for trying anything, at anytime, anywhere.
Long gone are the days when I took 3 months away from school or work to live on a campsite, staying with friends, hiking and swimming and celebrating every moment of daylight outdoors. And, truthfully, I know that for me, working as a counselor would not be nearly as fun now. It was a great transition from being a kid to being a grown-up. And I’ll always have the memories (and photos!) to look back on.
What’s the best summer job you ever had and why? If you could have that job today, would you want it?
