Go to camp

If you are over 18 and not yet settled down - Go to camp!

Whether at college, uni or working, take the summer. Don’t spend the time working a monotonous job, stacking shelves or cleaning. Go to camp. Spend the summer outdoors, sharing your energy with kids. Climbing, hiking, swimming, mountain biking. Discover a different culture, food, traditions, hobbies and past times. Meet new people and be a role model… go to camp.

I spent four Summers in the US working at two different summer camps and (twenty five years later) they remain the best summers of my life. I remember the people and I remember the feelings. I am still in contact with some of the friends that I made. I discovered love, friendship, respect and learned so much from the people I worked with and the children that I mentored.

Go to camp!

Sure its great to travel, sure its great to go on holiday but the experiences from working at camp will never be topped. I’ve done many jobs and had many opportunities at different careers but if I could work at a summer camp each day, that would be the career I would consider.

Camp takes energy. It takes commitment and will test you in so many ways but throw yourself into it and it will pay off. There are early mornings and late nights, long hours sat beside an ill child and brief minutes of exhilaration and pride at a whole host of activities. There is the possibility that one or more of the kids will struggle to bond with you and they’ll give you a tough time. There’s also the likelihood that more of them will admire you. They’ll look up to you, ask your advice and value your opinion. Maybe they’ll respect you straight away and maybe they’ll get in touch twenty years later to let you know how they’re doing.

Go to camp!