A Counselor, Not a Floater

As I stood there staring at the cabin assignment list I finally realized that the very job I created was going to take me away from the job I loved most. On the list I was assigned as a “floater.” In other terms I was a guy that had another job to do and was only used on an as need basis. There have been floaters every summer. It is not a new concept at camp. Still, often times as I stare into the night I wonder if people in the past that have been floaters love being with campers as much as I do. As I drift off to sleep I try to remove the pride from the situation and tell myself that most people here love being with campers, regardless of their jobs.

As our Olympic theme for this session continued yesterday, campers had the opportunity to compete as countries (or cabins) in various games throughout the day. There were swimming relays, golf, hiking, fishing, and some other chances to earn “medals.” Last night’s evening activity featured a camp wide basketball tournament loaded with music, cheerleaders, snacks, and fierce competition. It was much discussed during the course of the day and the anticipation built as dinner approached. When the bell finally rang to start the tournament every person moved down to the basketball courts or to watch from the mess hall balcony. All attended except one camper.

I cannot describe the connections or breakthroughs that happen when a counselor has the opportunity to spend time with a camper that results in a friendship. It is something incredible that everyone should have the opportunity to experience. Last night when that one camper chose not to attend the basketball tournament I had the option to pass my camera and intentions to write a story about the tournament to another staff member. Instead I joined the camper in the mess hall and in front of our nurse’s quarters. He stood nearly a foot taller than me. He definitely weighed more than me, but we spent more than two hours wrestling each other to the ground until one of us was laughing so hard we had to take a break. At the end of the night in the med’s line I signed for a hug and got it. We both had a smile on our faces for the entire night and though the camper could not verbally tell me, I wanted nothing more than to believe that he had the best night of his camping experience. That is, until tonight.

For me, it has always been about camper interaction and providing a camping experience they will never forget. I created this position because I saw a need at Camp Krem. Even though my title will remain Director of Special Projects I will be a counselor at heart, forever.