Staff Blog: What No One Told Me about Working at Greystone
All of our staff applications are now officially live, and we’ve already begun praying for the 2023 staff the Lord will put together. It’s one of our favorite times of the year - staff recruiting season!
Nothing is more fun than talking to prospective counselors about how much they will LOVE this job, and today’s guest bloggers have experienced all the joy of being a Greystone counselor first hand. Georgia and Parker were both first-time counselors in 2022, and they’re here to share a little more about their experience on staff.
You’ve heard us talk about why working at camp is good for your career, the skills you’ll gain here, and the fun you’ll have, but don’t just take it from us. Georgia and Parker, we’ll turn it over to you!
What made you apply to work on staff last summer?
“My counselors had such a massive impact on me and who I am today, and I wanted to give back to campers and try to be some sort of an impact for them. I also wanted that tight community that I always saw between the counselors!” - Parker
“After my experience as a camper came to end, I just knew that my time at Greystone was far from over. It was never a question of “if” I was going to be a counselor, it was more “how soon can I apply??” I wanted to pour God’s love into campers just like past counselors did for me! It was just as rewarding as I imagined it would be.” - Georgia
What did no one tell you about working on staff at Greystone?
“I was not prepared for how close I would get with people here. I have become friends with people who were counselors when I was a camper, and girls who were in my age group that I never got the chance to bond with. I also was never prepared for how much a nap at Rest Hour, or just quiet time to myself, would change everything!” - Parker
“No one told me that I would be asked to do things I surely didn’t feel qualified for, but somehow, I always said “yes!” and made it happen. Saying “yes” is really the only option at camp. You eventually learn how to do it with a big smile and a lot of confidence! I “taught” guitar this past summer despite the fact I had never touched a guitar before June. And I found myself up at Dog Camp during August camp! These are the type of crazy things you’ll find yourself doing as a counselor that makes for the best memories and self-growth. Saying yes in the bubble has made me a more confident person in the real world!” - Georgia
What would you tell someone considering applying to be on staff?
“Do it!! It is hard work but it is the most rewarding job I have had. To this day I feel so fulfilled at school, I am constantly connected with friends and some of my campers. These are friendships that I would never expect to have had, but I am forever thankful that they happened. There is no community that compares to camp, and it doesn’t matter if you were a camper or not because all counselors live through this experience together and you will make lifelong friends instantly.” - Parker
“APPLY APPLY APPLY!!! And don’t think twice! Every time someone from the real world asked me what my plans were for the summer, I silently cringed as I told them I would be at camp for 11 weeks. People really do look at you like you have three heads, and it started to sound crazy when I said it out loud! But, I never let their judgment dishearten me and instead listened to that feeling deep within telling me I was going to be doing something meaningful. It’s okay if the people around you don’t understand why you’re going to camp. They probably will never get it, and they don’t need to!” - Georgia
Anything else you want to share?
“This summer taught me to push my limits and that you never really know what you are capable of until you try something. I was taught to be proud of myself and how to lean on other counselors when I was struggling or just needed a pick me up. I cannot express how special and one-of-a-kind this community is.” - Parker
“There is nothing in this world like the friends you’ll make on staff. At every corner, there was someone lifting me up and supporting me. Everyone was going through the same thing and knew just what I needed to get me through the day! The validation and help from other staff members was something I wasn’t expecting to need as much as I did, but I am so thankful for it!” - Georgia