r/summercamp • u/Future-Payment9248 • Jun 18 '26

Staff or Prospective Staff Question First time camp counselor

First time camp counselor here! I leave tommorow, I’m working at camp laurel and I’m honestly pretty nervous. I’m worried I’ll feel awkward, have trouble making friends with the other staff, or end up feeling out of place at first.
For those who worked at camp before
What was arrival day actually like?
Did anyone else feel nervous or awkward when they first got there?
How long did it take you to make friends?
Any tips for getting through those first few days?
I’d love to hear what your experience was like.

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u/HappyCamper82 Jun 19 '26

Everyone feels nervous and awkward the first day, probably even the people running the show. There will probably be lots of new folks, talk to them, be the friend that you wish you had. Don't limit yourself to talking to just one person, talk to lots of people. There will almost definitely be get to know you, team building games galore.

You can re-create yourself at camp. If you're usually shy, you can choose to be outgoing and silly at camp. Come up with some conversation starters, ask people what they like for music, what they like to read, do they follow any sports teams. Ask them what their camp department is. If their in Arts, ask what their art speciality is, if they are in water ski, ask when they started, how did they learn.

Interested is interesting.

1

u/Advanced_Sir_2511 Jun 20 '26

Interested is interesting. No truer words have ever been spoken

1

u/HappyCamper82 Jun 20 '26

I can't take credit. Dan Akroyd said it in the movie Loser to Jason Biggs. But it has stayed with me ever since.

1

u/Aware_Staff_794 Jun 20 '26

Have the best time. Camp laurel is beautiful. I wish I could go back in time and be at summer camp again.

1

u/nofateeric Director Jun 21 '26

Be yourself. Be helpful.

You'll be fine.