Staff Blog: How I Grew as a Greystone Counselor

We are in the thick of staff hiring season here in Tuxedo, and getting to talk to prospective counselors all day is such a joy! We love telling them that this is a “both, and” job: lifegiving and joyful but also challenging and stretching. We know God uses it all in our counselors’ lives, and that He especially works in the hard moments. That’s where the growth is found!

No matter how many years you have been at camp, growth is a core part of the counselor job. Don’t just take our word for it, though! Some of our 2024 staff shared what they took away from their summer at Greystone, so scroll through to get a taste of how a summer as a counselor could change your life.

If this sounds like exactly what you are looking for this summer, we’d encourage you to apply as soon as you can! We have had a record number of staff applications so far this year, and our spaces are starting to fill up (seriously!). Holiday breaks are the perfect time to apply, so don’t delay! Have questions about what your summer could look like? Shoot us a message; we’d love to talk more!

• Through my experience at Greystone, I learned how to communicate with people who are different than myself. I also learned how to help girls delight in God and the amazing place and gifts he has given us!

• I learned how to navigate difficult situations that may arise with campers and also to allow myself to get on the camper’s level and just have fun with them!

• I learned that the little things matter! Just spending time with someone, checking in, and having genuine conversations built the greatest relationships!

• Your mindset is your choice, and it’s a superpower. You can choose to start each day with a positive outlook, to offer patience and understanding, to find the good. By doing so we can gain and give far more to this world.

• I learned how to be confident in myself and not to take everyday life so seriously.

• I learned how to take feedback and how to give it.

• I learned that being unplugged is such a necessary thing in a life where we always have access to a phone, social media, etc.

• I learned that I can do hard things. I was stretched in so many different aspects of my life, and I became a leader.

• I met so many new friends, both campers and counselors. I also grew in my faith by pouring into others and being poured into as well. I learned patience, how to problem solve, communication skills, and creativity.

• I learned so many people skills. I learned how to handle challenging situations and that I was capable of more than I had ever expected.

• This summer at camp I gained a greater sense of confidence in my own abilities.

• I learned so much. I think my biggest takeaway this summer was to trust God’s plan and to be patient with how He is working. He always has something better in mind than I could ever think of.

• I learned that I do not always have to act how I feel. This is such a valuable lesson!

• I not only gained lots of spiritual growth, but also strengthened my ability to be a leader for young girls. I learned how to give stronger devotions and spread the love of Jesus more intentionally!

• I grew in my leadership and learned how to better serve those around me with love.

• I gained confidence in all areas of my life, but especially socially. I learned how to talk to every single kind of person, and how to interact with others in a way that demonstrates kindness and respect.

• I learned a lot about working in a team and how much work ethic can impact a group.

• I gained myself. In the “real world,” we can lose ourselves to social media or societal pressures, but those factors are eliminated at Greystone and we can focus on our relationships with friends, with God, and with ourselves. I feel like “me” at camp!