Moving On From Camp – Attempting an Explaination

Each year as a Camp Director we have to make staffing decisions.  Some of these decisions are easy, some are not.  Here are my thoughts on moving along staff, written as to a staff member:

This is the hardest part of our job. Moving someone along from camp when they do not yet think it is time for them to leave for other adventures.

It is never easy to make the call. It is never easy to make the decision. It is never easy to tell someone that the place they love is not the place for them. It is never easy to tell someone their time is done.

You have grown as a person. You have given our camp your energy, enthusiasm and your passion. You have helped hundreds of campers get an amazing summer camp experience. You have helped us grow into a better camp for all involved. These are the things we hope all of our staff can contribute to camp, and you have.

Do not think that by not having a position for you this summer that it diminishes the accomplishments that you have had at camp over the years, it does not.

Each year we try to create a staff team that will offer growth opportunities for all involved. If we feel like camp will not offer someone the opportunity to continue to grow their skills then we have to let that person explore their growth away from us. We reshape camp each year with new people moving into new positions so that they can grow and make camp better.

I know that a decision like this can hurt. I know that people love camp. I always hope that people are mature enough to understand that this is not camp hurting you, that this is not a decision based on liking or not liking you as a person. We like you and I hope that our friendship can continue and grow.

Leaving a place that you love is never going to be easy.

My feelings are that you will be missed, that you will be remembered and that you will go on to do great things away from camp, with the growth you have experienced at camp.

I hope this helps in some small way.