Words from the Woods

We are in the business of making memories.

When you get right down to it, summer camps are in the business of making memories, that is what we do.  If you create good memories, campers come back; if you fail to create good memories, campers move on in search of a camp that can help them create positive memories.  This works the same for staff at summer camp – unless camp provides you with positive memories, why would you return?

One of the great things about the summer camp industry (and industry it is, there are over 400 summer camps in Ontario alone) is that it is very much about sharing.  The common goal that we have as camping professionals is to make sure that as many young people as possible have the ‘experience of summer camp’.

What is this ‘experience of summer camp’?  This experience involves many different aspects: being in the out-of-doors, living in a group, learning independence, being away from parents, gaining new skills, receiving recognition etc.  The experience of summer camp may differ in small ways from camp to camp, but overall, the elements for a positive experience remain constant at all camps.  Camp directors are concerned about providing a safe, fun and engaging environment for campers to grow, learn and thrive in. We want to see campers succeed, we want to see staff help these campers succeed.

It takes a special person to work at summer camp.  The job defies description.  If you have been a counsellor, you understand.  If you have not worked at camp, you can not understand until you have.  Summer camps look for young adults with passion, understanding, willingness.  We need staff who can help the campers grow, who can help give the campers support to take risks, try new things, and get them to pick up their cloths.  Camp staff need to be positive, energetic and disciplined. 

Camp staff need to be leaders in every sense of the word.

Many of you have learned many leadership skills.  Learning the skills is just the first aspect of true leadership.  You need to practice those skills to create the right balance.  Being a leader for your peers is a great way to practice those skills, you can gain confidence and respect.  The path to true leadership is not just with your peers.  You need to be able to challenge yourself and your skills.  Step outside of the safe environments of your school experience and force yourself to test your skills on a new level. 

This is what a summer camp position does – it challenges you to use your skills not only with other staff, but also with campers anywhere from six to sixteen years old and at times with their parents.  You will need to use all of the skills that you have and create new skills to handle unforeseen situations that arise.

Working at camp is a huge challenge.  It is not for everyone, it is for the people who want to continually grow and learn new skills.  

“We always find time to do that which we truly want to do.” Sigmund Freud

Joe Richards
Executive Director
Pearce Williams Christian Centre
o: 519.764.2317 c:519.636.4285
www.pearcewilliams.org
“every child deserves a week at camp…”