Summer camp counselors are special people who combine authority with a fun-loving attitude. They may be teens or college students hoping to earn some extra college credit for their work. Experienced camp counselors are highly sought-after by camp operators, and the best ones shape the experiences of the youngest and oldest participants alike.
Becoming a camp counselor for the first time sounds like an easy task: the applicant must be at least 16 years of age, must pass a background check, submit to fingerprinting and provide an application with verifiable references. Whether it is a day or overnight camp, operators seek out workers who are compassionate, have an innate sense of fairness, excel at talking to campers at various age or maturity levels, and genuinely enjoy interacting with children or teens, which frequently demands quick thinking and flexibility.
What sets the adequate camp counselors apart from the great ones boils down to one basic understanding - the tremendous impact their actions (or lack thereof) have on camp participants. One thoughtless word, gesture or failure to act has the power to adversely shape a youngster's perception of an entire summer experience. They may even prevent the child or teen from going to a summer camp the following year. On the flipside, highly motivated workers with a mature outlook on the potential impact of their behavior will leave a positive, lasting impact on their participants.
These camp counselors becomes confidantes, friends, teachers, mentors, coaches and encouragers, even while challenging a camper to go further, try harder, come out of their comfort zone or attempt a new task. Workers are in tune with body language as well as the spoken word; they know when to push and when to yield. They are not afraid to challenge, but always respect the dignity of the campers. While rooting for the underdog, they nevertheless help star athletes win graciously. In short, they are the best friends children want to emulate as they grow up.
Since camp workers do not carry the same authority as parents, their input is often more easily accepted, especially by the preteen and teenage groups. Not surprisingly, camp directors devise a number of interviewing methods to weed out unsuitable applicants who might fulfill the requirements on paper, but lack the social know-how and people skills to put them into practice. Interviews consist of problem-solving sessions, the presentation of possible scenarios that require critical thinking and decision-making capabilities, and also board meetings, which demonstrate how well an applicant can think on their feet or react to pressure.
Although it may appear to the applicant that the interviewers are out to get them, interviewing a would-be camp counselor is a lot different from hiring a two-hour sitter who will stop by for an evening. Camp counselors have a profound impact on the physical, emotional and social well-being of the children and teens under their care, and it only makes sense to put them through the most stringent process available to ensure that only the best-suited candidates are given a chance at filling the open positions.
Author Resource:-
Stephen Daniels is an SEO 2.0 researcher for a variety of industries. He recommends Fernwood Cove, one of the top summer camps in the U.S. for girls. Located in Harrison, Maine, the camp promotes participation, exploration, growth and self-discovery through outdoor activities and community building.
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