Summer Camp Secrets

It’s been a while since the last interview in the Camp Counselor of the Week series, but now that I’m back from camp and travelling, you’ll be seeing a lot more counselor interviews over the coming weeks. So read on, and hopefully these interviews will inspire you to spend a summer at camp too! Now it’s time to hear from Bouke, who just spent his first summer at a camp in Connecticut.

1. Where did you go to camp? How many years?

It was my first time in the summer of 2015 to go to Camp Sloane YMCA.

2. Why did you decide to work at summer camp?

I decided to work at Camp Sloane because I enjoy working with kids and I really like to guide outdoor activities too. When I found out that you could do both of those at the same time at Camp Sloane I knew that I wanted to go there.

3. What agency did you apply to camp through and would you choose them again/how did you find their service?

The agency that I used to apply to camp was 3 Adventures. Their service was good, they even looked me up while I was at camp to make sure that everything was fine.

4. What is/was your role at camp?

This year I was a camp counselor and a member of the adventure staff.

5. Did camp meet your expectations? In what ways?

Definitely yes! It was an amazing experience to work with kids day and night and also to work with different people all over the world.

6. What 3 essential items would you never go to camp without?

Number 1. A watch, very useful for keeping track of time.
Number 2. A backpack, no one wants to walk around all the time with stuff in their hands.
Number 3. A camelback, very useful because you can fill it up with water and it has a tube from which you can drink water and at the same time you will have your hands free.

7. What is your best/favourite camp memory?

My favourite memory of camp is of kids that are succeeding in new activities and learning new skills.

8. What is/was your favourite camp food?

Bosco sticks.

9. What is/was your favourite camp cheer/chant?

Herman the Worm

10. What is your favourite camp saying/word/expression?

“Firecircle”

11. Where did you travel to after camp (if you travelled)?

Together with two others that also worked at Camp Sloane. We went to Washington first, then towards Miami Beach and last New York.

12. How has camp influenced you/who you are/what you do?

I learned to not be ashamed by “acting like a fool” because when you are with a group and everyone is acting “crazy” then they are not crazy but the person not acting “crazy” (be yourself)

13. What is the BEST thing about being a summer camp counselor?

Teaching kids.

14. What’s the WORST thing?

Coming back home and having lots of spare time and you have no idea what to do with it.

15. What the most important thing that camp has taught you?

To be yourself.

16. Anything else you want to say to people thinking about working at summer camp?

Do it, even if it’s for one summer this is an experience you do not want to miss out on.