What is a Camp Staff Person?

The following was blatantly stolen from a recruiting handout of Lutheran Lakeside Camp, located in Spirit Lake, Iowa.

Who is a Camp Staff Person??

Somewhere between adolescence and adulthood, there occurs a stage in human development that at first glance may seem highly unlikely to exist and impossible to occur. Yet it is constantly occurring - an unfathomable period known as (cue dramatic music now)... the CAMP STAFF STAGE! This camp staff creature is undefined by psychologists, misunderstood by camp directors, worshiped by campers, admired by parents, gawked at by strangers, and unknown to the rest of the world.

A camp staff person possesses a rare combination of peacemaking and teaching skills. She is a competent child psychologist with her textbook from last fall to prove it. He is an underpaid guardian with neither a television nor a refrigerator. She is a disciplinarian with a twinkle in her eye; a minister to all faiths with questions about her own. He is a referee, a coach, an advisor, and a friend. She is a role model with her head in a cloud of campfire smoke and her sandals in a puddle of mud. He is a song leader, an entertainer, and a play director. She is the example of adulthood in her worn out flip-flops, random bracelets, bandanna, and college sweatshirt that reeks of campfire. He is a comforter on a stormy night and a pal who just loaned out his last pair of dry socks.

Camp staff people dislike the wake-up bell, high-powered flashlights, waiting in line for supper, and consecutive rainy days. They are fond of new songs, dry socks, theme nights, Golden Grahams, snail mail, starry nights, sunsets, and hugs. They are excellent at finding lost towels, starting fires, grunging, and looking out for each other. Who but camp staff people can cure homesickness, air out wet bedding, play endless games of lightning and star wars, ride the pony for hours, make up verses to the Oscar Meyer Weiner theme song, find complete joy in completing resource recovery runs, and jump in the pool every morning knowing full well that there isn't a polar bear hiding in the deep end?

A camp staff person is expected to repair ten years of damage to Billy in five days, make Amanda a new girl, rehabilitate Tyler, allow Johnny to be an individual, and help Leah adjust to the group. He is expected to lead campers in fun and adventure - even when his head aches. She is expected to teach them to live in the great outdoors - even though she lives in a dorm room for nine months out of the year. They must teach campers ingenious activities, lead them in social adjustment, and ensure safety and health while he has a sunburn, she has lake itch, and they both have blisters on their feet.

You wonder how we can stand the pace and how she can take the pressure. You wonder if they'll ever know how truly valuable and needed they are. You wonder if they will ever get to see the impact they have made. You realize that when they leave in August you could never have paid them enough. You hope they will understand that they are called to be a part of theses young people's lives... and the lives of their peers. However, for a brief moment on Friday afternoon when the camper walks to the car, and just before disappearing turns with a smile and says, "See you next year!" - You stop wondering.

If we are to sum up what is expected of staff members at a camp, we could not do better than quote these words by Mother Teresa:

"God loves us so much. He gave His son Jesus. Now He gives us that love, and you must let Him have a free hand with you. Not giving up everything...that's not important. What is important is compassion and presence. The world has never needed you so much as today. Give Him a free hand so He can use you. It's not how much you spend or how much you give, but how much you love Him. It isn't big plans, but just letting Him use you today - not tomorrow, maybe just today.

"Your business is to give Him a free hand so He can use you. It does not matter how small, even if you shake someone's hand, touch someone, or give a glass of water in His name, it is enough. Jesus said, "If you feed the hungry, you feed me." Maybe you do not see the hungry in America, but I see the hungry everywhere. There is not only hunger for food, but I see a big hunger for love. That is the greatest hunger, to be loved. Why did God choose you? He wants you to be real missionaries. Look at this great gift of God to you. Listen to the voice of God. God is always speaking to us. God wants from us deep love, compassion, and forgiveness. God wants from you love and compassion in your own country. Open your eyes.

"If you are afraid, offer that fear to God. Do not force yourself. If you force yourself, you may be more preoccupied with the forcing than with the loving."