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SUMMER JOB AS CAMP COUNSELOR OFFERS CHANCE TO GROW
By Keith Hagarty
 | | --Photo By Keith Hagarty Having a summer job as a camp counselor means more than just fun and games, it means connecting with and serving as a role model to tomorrow's young women. |
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Summer jobs are a rite of passage for American teens, brief flashes of employment that are inevitably filled with memories that last a lifetime. Memories that can help build a future. Few places offer as many unique summer jobs as the Jersey Shore. In this, the second of a four-part series, we'll look at what it's like to be a summer camp counselor.
Sprawled across 114 rural acres along Adelphia Road in Farmingdale, Camp Sacajawea has been a longtime summer getaway for girls, age 4 to 13. And with its four decades of operation comes a need for young women to keep things running smoothly. The Monmouth County Girl Scout camp has traditionally drawn over 100 staff members every summer in search of a rewarding summer employment experience.
Known only as "Click" to the 300- plus campers at Camp Sacajawea , 21-year-old counselor Emma Fawcett jumped at the chance to give back to the organization she's been a part of since the age of 5.
"I just really love being here," said Fawcett, of Howell. "It's kind of where I grew up during the summertime."
Working as a camp counselor for the last five years has taught Fawcett about a wide range of children, each with their own special needs. Despite their differences, the one constant all kids share is a passion for fun.
"I really like working here, in part because of the diversity of children," she said. "They come from all areas of Monmouth County, all different cultures and all different ages."
As a Rutgers University student currently studying political science and Spanish, Fawcett plans on pursuing her master's in education. The friendships and experiences she's gaining as a counselor mean much more than a mere posting on her resume.
Fawcett's 16 years of Girl Scouting experience have given her the opportunity to travel the world, taking a year off between high school and college to teach English in Guatemala for four months, and the same in Peru and Venezuela last year.
Her extensive travels and humanitarian efforts earned Fawcett the nickname of "mother Theresa" from her fellow counselors. However, no matter where she goes, Camp Sacajawea has a special place in her heart that always brings her back.
"There's a lot of firsts here," she said. "Many of the kids have never held a bow and arrow, or never cut up a potato to put in a salad, they've never built a fire, they've never taken a nature hike. There's just a zillion first time experiences, and that's probably the most exciting thing for me … It's one of the most fun and rewarding summer jobs you could possible have."
Positive, Upbeat Job
Such enthusiasm is key for anyone looking to become a camp counselor, according to Joan "Eggs Up" Basilotto, co-executive director of the camp.
"I'm looking for a personality. I'm looking for the connection that they have with the outdoors and the campers," she said. "They have to be willing to work hard, and their attitude, of course, is big."
The best counselors, according to Basilotto, are the ones who can embrace the responsibility of helping to positively shape a child's development and accept the opportunity to grow.
"We can sometimes tell if they're a right fit as soon as they walk through the door," she said. "You can tell through body language. You can tell through the words they use. You can tell through the smile on their face, or the lack of a smile on their face. You can tell right off the bat if their personality is enthusiastic or not."
While referrals and word of mouth tend to be the most common route to becoming a counselor, Basilotto said camp officials routinely reach out to local high schools and colleges to attract staff members. The average counselor is between 15 and 20 years old.
Whether it's helping teach the kids how to swim, ride a horse, paddle a canoe or even how to make the best campfire S'mores, counselors provide that special something that will have long-lasting impact on kids for years to come.
Helping Girls Grow
Taking a break from leading some of the budding thespian campers in a rehearsal of their "High School Musical" show, 22-year old counselor Ashleigh "Tapper" Edwards, Ocean Township, said she had a fantastic time at the camp when she was a young girl and feels no different today.
"It just seemed like a really good fit. I loved it when I was here, and figured I'd try out for a job," said Edwards.
Going to college for dance and psychology, Edwards found a great connection with her camp duties as a performing arts specialist, with some of her responsibilities including putting on plays, skits, musicals and choreography. Watching the more timid campers blossom into shining stars is one of the most rewarding aspects of her job.
"I have one camper, and two years ago, she wouldn't go on stage or do anything; she was so scared to get out there," said Edwards. "But this year, she's one of the most outgoing kids."
One of the biggest misconceptions Edwards has seen from those unfamiliar with working as a counselor is that the job is all fun and games.
"A lot of people think this job is a lot easier than it is," said Edwards. "In a regular job, you get your half an hour lunch break to yourself. Here, you're always with the girls, you're always outside and you're always participating. I love it, it's one of the most rewarding things I've done, but I know some people are not used to that kind of thing."
For those looking to become a camp counselor, Edwards offers some simple advice: enjoy working with kids, be patient and don't be afraid of Mother Nature.
"Don't mind being outside, and if you get rained on, you can't cry about it," she joked. "We do get a fair amount of rain and bugs."
Role Models
During her summer break from the College of New Jersey, 19-year old Howell resident Sharon "Tiki" Kortenhaus returned to her camping roots at Camp Sacajawea. Now that she's a counselor, has Kortenhaus relied on the experiences she gained as a
wide-eyed camper herself?
"Oh, absolutely," she said matter-of-factly. "Starting with just the songs I know from
my camp years. Songs are a big part of the Camp Sacajawea experience. It's the only camp I ever went to as a kid, so I couldn't really bring any outside experience into the camp, but I knew the great experiences I had, and I wanted to bring that to the girls here."
Majoring in special education, Kortenhaus has found her first year working as a camp counselor to be a wonderful tie-in with her studies, as she's been able to work with a variety of personalities which she believes can only help her become a better teacher.
"It's been great. It's a learning experience definitely, but great," she said. "It's helped me deal with different disciplinary problems. For instance, like when we have some girls making fun of others, and we get to teach them how to get along, and instill certain values in them."
One of the most important parts of being a counselor is to connect with the kids and to always be keenly aware that you're a role model for the kids in everything you say
and do, according to Kortenhaus.
"You should lead by example," she said. "If you want them to be well behaved, then
you have to be well behaved. If you want them to walk, then you have to walk. If you want them to play the games, then you have to play the games."
Joining in the fun- even when you're sometimes not totally in the mood- is what the camp experience is all about, even for the counselors.
"If they see you having a good time in doing it, then it'll make a world of difference," said Kortenhaus.
Perhaps the only camp life drawback for Kortenhaus is the same creepy crawly fear she had when she was a wee, little Brownie.
"Spiders!" she said with a laugh and a cringe. "Sometimes they're just crawling around, the girls are screaming, and now I'm the one who has to deal with it."
Lifelong Memories
Keeping a watchful eye on the dozens of campers splashing in the pool, 20-year old camp lifeguard Dara "Sprinkles" Goldberg of Howell began volunteering at the camp when she was only 13 years old, and has been a staff member ever since.
"They offer a lot more choices for the girls," she said. "When I first started here, it was more oriented around just getting badges, but now they do that with many different offerings with all sorts of different stuff for girls to do, like horseback riding."
As a counselor and aquatic instructor, the most rewarding part of Goldberg's job is when she gets to help those first-time nervous swimmers who are too afraid to get into the pool. They slowly gain the confidence they need to make that leap and take to the water like fish.
"It makes me feel fantastic," she said. "I love it."
The most challenging aspect of her job is saying goodbye to all the campers and fellow counselors at the end of each summer.
"Having to see the other counselors come and go can be tough," she said.
Although the tearful goodbyes can be rough, Goldberg values the friendships formed and the message instilled in the kids.
"Helping girls grow strong is extremely important to me," she said. "I love having a positive affect on these girls, and being a role model for them."
When asked what she'd say to any young adult, girl or guy, contemplating a job as a counselor, Goldberg didn't hesitate.
"Do it, absolutely do it," she said. "It's been one of the best experiences of my life … When I have to get a real job, I'll be devastated."
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