Everyone knows that college and stress go hand in hand. The looming threat of the "real world" is only a handful of semesters away, and big decisions have to be made about your life at some point between now and then. Majors, minors, grad school, internships, and applications all question you at once, and suddenly you're drowning in a sea of self-doubt and exhaustion.
What's my best remedy for this unparalleled time of stress? Go to camp.
The hazy summer memories come floating back at the mention of the word, and suddenly you're nine years old again singing silly songs and making arts and crafts.
Camp is the ultimate gift for a child; it gives kids the ability to be free and explore athletic, creative, and social outlets in the most nurturing and accepting of environments. Essentially, it's a place where kids can be kids, and the healing that results from this type of environment extend to those who work with the campers as well.
This past summer I decided, on a whim, to give camp counseling a try. I'm a college student without a declared major and a big, ambiguous future ahead of me. I know I'm not the only one who fits this description, and because of my current circumstances, camp entered my life at the perfect time. I found a sense of purpose and direction, and I wasn't even looking for it.
So what can camp do for you? The list of positives is lengthy, and honestly very individual, but there is no way you can work with kids at camp for a summer and not walk away a better person.
The level of camaraderie among a camp staff is unmatched, because the environment is so unique and tight-knit. It's a special breed of people that choose to work at summer camps, and their perspectives on life and personal values are refreshing in an age of cheap scams and greedy motives.
In a way, camp lets its employees be young again, and embrace a childlike mentality that grounds you in a time of such pressing demands. Simultaneously, a camp counselor is given an enormous amount of responsibility by being in charge of groups of young children, and ensuring overall safety and well-being.
This level of responsibility helps an emerging adult feel mature and capable of rising to a high standard, which in turn increases self-confidence. A summer as a camp counselor is exhausting, and the pay is low, but at this stage in life, that's generally manageable.
It's also a full-time job, unlike many other typical college jobs, and scheduling around a full-time schedule is an important life skill. The counselors become masters of social interaction, since the job demands you to connect with kids, peers, supervisors, and of course, parents.
It stretches you creatively, keeping you on yours toes since every day is a new adventure and the plans are always changing. Camp counselors are given numerous opportunities to teach, listen, support, mediate, aid, lead, and make critical decisions. There is no career that doesn't implement these skills, meaning there is no person who would be wasting their time by spending a summer at camp.
So go back to your glory days, put on that tie-dye t-shirt, and begin making a difference in children's lives. The rewards are immeasurable, and the experience of a summer spent at camp will sharpen the skills you need for your career -- even if you have no idea what that might be yet.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.