When we say our goodbyes at the end of each summer, it seems like an eternity before the next camp season rolls around.  But as we settle into school or work, the momentum picks up.  Thanksgiving and the winter holidays fly by…the calendar changes to 2018…the weather begins to warm. Before you know it, our Pre-Camp Crew arrives and camp starts taking shape: The staff arrives for Orientation and in just a matter of hours, we will be reunited as Roger welcomes us all with his trademark: “What a beautiful day in the state of Maine!”

We’ve had an incredible Orientation.  The staff, whether in year one or 20, bonded and learned what it takes to be a Laurel South counselor.

One thing we all agree on  — we can’t wait to welcome our campers tomorrow.  So whether it’s your first season or ninth, get ready for an incredible summer full of friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.  We can’t wait to see you!!

Our full staff arrive tomorrow, but our summer has been well underway with several Pre-Orientation programs. Laurel South’s administrative staff is made up of an almost entirely veteran crew, and this week is a great time to re-connect with colleagues and greet new staff for the first time.

The week leading up to Staff Orientation is also a special time for everyone to focus on what’s ahead and dive deep into what makes Laurel South so special. We’ve already welcomed our incredible group of Campus Leaders, waterski, riding and adventure counselors.

These groups of incoming staff are always happy and excited to arrive at Laurel South, and ready to learn about the summer ahead. Our waterski staff get some extra time on the water to familiarize themselves with our boats. The Adventure counselors go through specialized training focused on safety within their specific programs — outdoor tripping, climbing and challenge course. And the Campus Leaders go through their own training about how to lead incoming counselors and staff.

Everyone is smiling and loving the beautiful weather Maine has provided. We’re thrilled to welcome the staff and even more excited for camper arrival!

Throughout all my years being a camper, what I really couldn’t wait for was my chance to be a counselor. Having grown up admiring and looking up to all my counselors, I wished one day, I too would be as cool as they were. Counselors always seemed to be the heroes of camp.

What I loved most about being a counselor was that I finally had the opportunity to be the hero. Guiding a group of campers was just as character-building for me as it was for them. I learned about responsibility, organization and a whole lot about myself from a fresh perspective. I saw myself in them, and therefore understood more about my own childhood.

Of course, there’s always something fun and empowering about calling the shots. If something came up that was unexpected, I had to think on the fly. It was exciting for me to know that my campers were looking up to me.

All in all, hanging out with my fellow counselors, being looked up to, and taking on new responsibilities were the greatest things about being a counselor for me. Having parents entrust their children to me was a great position to be in, because it called on me to become my best and strongest self, for the sake of the campers.

Life is always better with friends, and Laurel South is the ideal environment for children to make new friends and create lasting bonds. These are some of the best reasons Laurel South’s environment facilitates friendships.

Camp is 24/7

Friends can be made during playdates at home, but a friendship grows when children are also livin0g, eating, and brushing their teeth together. They share tasks and work as a team throughout the summer. This constant contact is conducive to making real, true, long-lasting relationships.

Shared Experiences

Shared experiences are another crucial element for friendship bonds. Camp friends are special because they share a unique commonality , experiencing everything together at camp. The memories created during three-and-a-half weeks at Laurel South are amazing. In part because of what’s happening, but also because who campers are sharing it with.

Traditions

Some of the best elements of Laurel South are the traditions. Traditions that go back to our first summers and the mini-traditions that pop-up from summer to summer. By attending camp, campers develop shared traditions that help bond them together. They add a sacred element to friendship.

Camp focuses on the positive

At camp, there’s a big focus on harnessing moments and making them special and fun. This teaches children to have a great amount of flexibility both individually and with each other, and it also teaches them to remain positive. Positivity helps children remain in an open and accepting frame of mind.

Camp friends are definitely some of the most special friends.  Friendships made at camp are bound by a commonality of experiences that may very well be cherished for a lifetime.

We often say being a counselor is “the toughest job you’ll ever love.”  Being part of the Laurel South team is an incredibly fun way to spend a summer. And accepting a position comes with many responsibilities and opportunities for personal growth. The counselor position brings with it an opportunity to give so many children the confidence and independence needed to succeed in today’s world.  Camp counselors provide an unforgettable experience for countless campers every day.

Camp counselors spend their summer interacting with campers and other counselors while being surrounded by nature. Counselors view life through the eyes of a child – an experience that will only feel further away as we grow older. Camp counselors not only teach, they also learn. They learn practical, social and problem-solving skills. They learn patience, trust, teamwork, time-management and how to have an impeccable work ethic.

You could work at the local mall, walk dogs, file papers or wait tables over the summer. But at the end of the day, what could be better than spending the summer as a camp counselor: positively impacting the lives of others, working as part of a team, singing songs around a campfire with friends…The list goes on!

When you’re thinking about what you should do over the summer, consider Laurel South. You’re applying for one of the most exciting and rewarding jobs on the planet. And that’s why we say it’s the toughest job you’ll ever love.