Submitted By: Rachel Wasserman, Camp Judaea Head of Aquatics 2018

Recently, I sat down with Career and Life Planning at my college to review my resume. My advisor asked me to write down all of my experience, and I immediately started listing my roles from four different camping seasons at two different camps. I did not spend my summers fetching coffee for executives in a company, but instead I created real relationships and developed connections with the future of America. I have talked in front of 1000 ten through twelve-year-olds. I have organized activities for 300 campers at one time, making sure to accommodate for different abilities. I have dragged myself out of bed and put a smile on my face on the days that my body didn’t think it could. My advisor asked, “Why should someone hire you?”

If you went to camp, or worked at camp, you know the variety of valuable skills you learned at camp. You learned collaboration and conflict resolution. Without realizing it, you developed emotional intelligence and became great at public speaking. Throughout the summer, you learned about yourself; who you are, your values, and your goals. And for an added bonus, you networked and connected with other future professionals. The sports and rec counselor? He might be your doctor one day. The climbing instructor? He’s studying to be a teacher. The lifeguard? She might just become the next PR professional.

Companies want to hire former camp counselors because we are strong communicators, we are problem solvers, and we understand teamwork and flexibility. We are comfortable with taking risks, knowing there is a possibility that we might fail. As a former camp counselor, I know I can accept responsibility. After all, I have spent four summers accepting the responsibility of looking after the next generation of employees.

I am a graduating senior at Rollins College, studying philosophy and communication, with a concentration in public relations and a minor in Jewish studies. That is a mouthful to say, and honestly, I am not entirely sure what I want to do with it. However, I know I will excel at whatever I choose to do, because of my experience working at summer camp.