A letter from Peg - camp counselors

I always think about the millions of camp counselors who will directly influence the lives of young people all across the country over the summer. I started working with young people nearly thirty-four years ago. When I first started, I thought it would be an easy job. Little did I realize the enormity of the responsibility. Nor did I realize the energy I would receive and would have to expend on all the young people. Their zest for life, impressionability, and the daily rewards and challenges were both exhilarating and exhausting.

However, it was later in life that I realized the true lessons that I had learned when working with those young people--major life lessons that shaped my career. There are numerous qualities I learned during those years, but as usual, I only have space to mention a few.

Positive Attitude: I learned that I was able to manage the young people I worked with by expressing a positive attitude. They were most responsive to possibilities and opportunities rather than efforts to share flaws or failures. I could obtain greater success communicating what was right than pointing out what was wrong. I learned that attitude is a choice we all make and it determines how we act. It is something we control and can control in others. It is a powerful tool. I would hate to be without it today. Think about the people you are drawn to ... most likely, they are more positive than negative.

Communication: It has been said that without communication you travel alone. Try to get a group of young people to follow you without strong, simple communication. If you continuously lose control of your cabin unit or program activity evaluate your communication, not them. In my adult life, I have seen people fail over and over again. Their failures can often be traced back to failed communication. Hone your communication skills at camp. You will not only have a successful camp experience, you will be a more productive adult throughout your life.

Listening: The companion to communication is listening. You won't know what to say if you don't listen first. This is a huge lesson that is needed in the adult workforce. We have been taught to TELL. Working with young people taught me to shut up and listen first. There is a Cherokee saying, "Listen to the whispers, and you won't have to hear the screams."

Relationships: Working with groups of young people taught me immeasurable lessons about the importance of group dynamics, cooperation, and collaboration. These relationship skills have served me well as an adult. Everyone wants their needs met. People first need to hear how you are going to meet their needs before they can rise to a higher level of group synergy. That desire to have needs met is not a weakness but a human truth that should be respected and, at the very least, understood. Understanding will build bridges between people.

Servanthood: If you learn anything from working with young people, I hope you learn humility. Wow, have I seen leaders fail in this area. It isn't about your position. It is about how you serve others by expressing a positive attitude, communicating, listening, and building relationships. It is about the choices you make in all these areas that will reveal your character in times of fun as well as crisis. It is not about you but how you serve others.

So, without question you will have fun this summer. Yet, don't miss the teachable moments, for yourself. You want to be a successful adult? Be a successful camp counselor.

COPYRIGHT 2003 American Camping Association
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group