20 Things I Wish I Knew Before Working at Camp

We asked some of our former Summer Staff what they wish they had known before working their first summer at WinShape Camps—and they had a lot to share! From practical tips to lessons learned, heartfelt advice, and funny moments they’ll never forget, their reflections are helpful for anyone preparing for working their first summer at camp.

Here’s a collection of insights, encouragement, and stories from the people who’ve lived it.

1. At times you will feel exhausted, stretched and challenged–but this will also be the most rewarding job you’ve ever had.

There will be long days, unexpected challenges, and times when you’re pushed past what you thought were your limits. But I wouldn’t trade any of it. You may not see all the fruit right away, but you’ll see glimpses that remind you why this work matters. By the time I left camp, I was more confident, joyful, resilient, and reliant on the Lord than the person who arrived at Staff Training.

2. Intentionally look for the Campers that are sitting alone.

Sometimes the most meaningful ministry moments happen on the edges—on the sidelines during Free Time, or on the edge of the Rec field. Find those Campers, sit down, ask questions, learn their story. You may be the first person all week who truly sees them. Often, those are the Campers who will surprise you the most—opening up, laughing, and stepping into community because you took the first brave step.

3. Pray continuously.

Pray for yourself, your work, your fellow Summer Staff, your Campers, and their families. Prayer will be your most powerful tool during your time at camp. Ask God for wisdom, and you’ll be surprised by how the Holy Spirit speaks through you when a Camper brings a hard question.

Pray for breakthrough and you may get to witness a discover their worth through the eyes of their Creator. Pray for the Staff member you struggle to connect with and watch how God softens your heart and shows you the things He loves about them.

4. Your perspective matters.

It shapes your experience and the experience of everyone around you. A mindset shift from “I have a challenging Camper” to “I have an opportunity Camper” changes everything. Perspective can turn frustration into a memory and a setback into a testimony. Campers notice it. Other Staff feel it. When you choose joy, humility, and flexibility, you help create a culture that reflects Christ.

5. An insulated water bottle (like an Owala) will save your life during the summer heat.

A regular Nalgene will leave you sipping lukewarm water by lunchtime—but when you’re sweating at Rec or running between activities, you want ice-cold water. Your future self will thank you.

6. You don’t have to be an “extrovert” to work at camp.

Sure… camp appreciates the loud, high-energy staff—but it also desperately needs the quiet, steady, gentle-hearted ones. God will use your personality exactly as He designed it. Introverts often lead well because they listen intently and notice the small things that others miss. Campers will gravitate toward your intentionality and your authenticity. Don’t feel pressure to be someone you’re not. Bring the gifts God gave you, and trust that He’ll use them.

7. You deserve to eat the dessert at lunch and dinner.

Take the cookie. Grab the brownie. Eat the ice cream. Camp will demand a lot of you physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and you can’t pour out if you’re on empty. Give yourself permission to enjoy the little things—rest when you can, laugh with your friends, and yes, have the dessert (and go back for seconds!)

8. Embrace silliness.

Wear the banana costume at Rec. Try out a new accent when you’re teaching Skills. Accept that one Camper’s challenge to a push-up contest. There aren’t many professions that allow… no… encourage you to wear a princess dress at work––so lean into it. When you embrace the silly, you help Campers see that following Jesus is joyful, playful, and so much fun! God can use even your goofiest moments to open a Camper’s heart.

9. Don’t forget to spend intentional alone time with the Lord.

You’ve probably heard it before–you can’t pour out from an empty cup. You’ll attend worship with your Campers every day, but you also need quiet moments of your own with God. The days are full, but carve out time before Campers wake up, during an Off-Skill, or after lights-out to pray, read Scripture, and allow the Lord to refill you. Those moments will sustain you more than you realize.

10. Be present and enjoy every second.

At the start of the summer, 6-9 weeks may feel like forever, but by the end you’ll be wondering where all the time went. On long days, when all you want is your pillow, don’t forget that these moments are fleeting. Savor every cheer, every cabin devotion or team time, and every belly laugh. Before you know it, you’ll be at your end-of-summer Staff Banquet, watching the recap video, and wishing for just one more week!

11. Start a note of funny Camper quotes–you’ll be glad you saved them.

Campers will say the funniest things. Don’t forget to start a running note of the wild, sweet, hilarious, and downright unforgettable things your Campers say. It’ll become one of your favorite keepsakes from the summer and something you’ll look back on whenever you need a smile.

12. Find the camp photographer!

Get to know your camp photographer, and don’t be afraid to wave them down for a picture. They’re already capturing incredible moments all day long, but if you want photos to look back on from your time working at camp, make it a habit to track them down at events. Ask for a quick shot with your Campers or your camp besties—you’ll be so glad you did when the summer is over.

Oh, and don’t forget to offer to take their picture too! Their job is to capture everyone else, but they’ll appreciate that you offered to capture memories of their time at camp.

13. Keep an “emergency kit” in your backpack.

A simple grab-bag with band-aids, some hair ties, a snack, sunscreen, and maybe a mini-fan will do the trick. You’ll be surprised how many times a Camper will get a cut or scratch and ask for a band-aid. An emergency kit will make you feel like a superhero all summer long.

14. The “Disconnect to Connect” policy will be one of the biggest blessings of the summer.

Don’t let the no-devices policy intimidate you—it’s truly one of the best parts of camp. Without screens, you’ll find yourself truly present with your Campers and your coworkers. Conversations go deeper, laughs last longer, and the community around you feels richer. You’ll be surprised by how refreshing it is to unplug and how much more you notice when nothing pulls you away from the moment. And if you’re like me, getting your phone back during off-time may actually feel a little overwhelming.

15. Don’t be afraid of getting messy!

If shaving cream, foam, paint, or water is involved, embrace it—your Campers will have more fun if you’re in the middle of the mess with them. This is camp! You can shower later, but you can’t get these moments back. (Plus, jumping into the mess makes for some of the best photos of the summer.)

16. Don’t overpack t-shirts.

Camp gives you a specific shirt for every camp day, so you really don’t need to bring many of your own. Just toss in a couple for sleeping or off-time and call it good! Save the precious duffel space for the real essentials: costumes, fun accessories, and your best sneaker lineup. Pro tip: your personal style will shine through your shoe game and your fingertip-length shorts collection.

17. Don’t underestimate the impact of remembering a Camper’s name.

Especially if you’re in a role where you don’t have a “cabin” or “team time” of your own, learning names will mean more to Campers than you can imagine. If you’re teaching a Skill (Crafts, Archery, Pottery, etc.) to multiple groups of 20+ Campers, remembering names can feel daunting—but it’s a worthy challenge.

Calling a Camper by name helps them feel seen, known, and important. And if you’re a “Flex Counselor” with 80+ kids, this is one sure way to a Camper’s heart.

18. Don’t compare your experience to anyone else’s.

God called YOU for a reason––to this role, at this location, for this Comparison steals the joy of how He is uniquely working in and through you. It’s easy to look around and feel like other Staff have more visible roles, or more exciting stories. But comparison steals the joy of how God is uniquely working in and through you. Your impact may not always be loud or obvious, but it is meaningful and eternal. Trust God’s plan and embrace the story He’s writing for your summer.

19. Pack shoes that you don’t mind getting gross.

When you’ll be outside, running through a field, or getting messy, wear comfortable closed-toed shoes you don’t mind getting absolutely ruined. You’ll need a dedicated pair (and maybe a backup) for when the first pair is still drying out from Super Rec the day before. Unless you KNOW that you’re not stepping foot on a muddy field, don’t wear your favorite Jordans or cute white Hokas.

20. Ask your leadership or peers for advice.

They WANT to help you. They’ve been where you are, and asking for guidance only makes you stronger. If you have a Camper that you can’t get through to, lean on the support from those around you. We were MADE for community––and the Lord will often work through our community to bring about the largest impact. Ask questions and seek help from leaders and peers when you need it.

BONUS TIP: Put Camp on your Resume!

Choosing camp and pursuing your career path doesn’t have to be an either/or decision! Working at camp is fun – but it’s also work that will stretch you and grow you in ways you could never imagine. You’ll develop key skills that all employers are looking for, you just have to learn how to identify those skills, and translate them into meaningful stories of impact.

Check out this guide for practical tips on adding camp experience to your resume, as well as how to translate camp experience in a job interview!