some thoughts from staff members about their work...
"My time at camp will always mean so much to me. No job has ever felt more natural or taught me as much about myself and what I am capable of. Thank you for every opportunity you have given me."
"Being around such great people at camp that want to do something with their lives, made me want to do something more with mine, so I've decided to finally study for what I've always wanted to do. . . . My life has changed so much since coming back home from camp. As corny as this sound, I see the world so much different now and I love it even more. Thank you so much again for the opportunity."
"Camp is the most valuable, challenging, fun, tiring, exciting job, that does not feel like a job. You are dropped into this new environment, faced with real issues and challenges, but you are surrounded by some of the most genuine people you will ever meet. No one here loves each other for their money, status, or clothes, everyone here loves each other for who they truly are and how great of a camp counselor/staff member they are. When you work at camp you are not just a camp counselor you are a peace maker, a mom, a best friend, a teacher, an advice giver, a big sister, and a role model just by waking up in the morning and doing your job. I can't imagine another place on earth that has ever offered me a more supportive environment with room to grow and sometimes a little room to mess up. Camp has given me some of the best years of my life and has introduced me to some of the best people in my life. Some people need to travel the world to "find themselves" I just come to camp."
"My co-counselor and my head counselor were the best support team and friends I could have asked for. People say ‘summer of a lifetime’ but this has truly been the best 10 weeks of my life. . . . I've never been anywhere that has made me feel as safe and happy as camp, and have never been somewhere that I can be unreservedly, completely myself. "
"Thank you so much for making this summer one of the best of my life. Being on staff helped me learn so much about myself and about how my future will look in education. This summer taught me things no college course could ever prepare me for and I will be forever grateful for that."
"Camp has been a stepping stone for me. It allowed me to open up, embrace a new culture, muster up the courage to pursue a study exchange, live in a different country and grow so confident in my abilities to be a better human being. I owe that to you."
"I would like to share a thought I had the other night while searching for jobs online. I was sitting there picking out something about every job that I wouldn't like and then I took a moment to think about all my previous jobs. Often I forget that being a counselor at camp is actually a job, it almost just seems like a way a life and an amazing opportunity to be a kid again. This summer, I would wake up at 7:20am every day (which normally would be way too early for me) and not once did I dread going to 'work'. I always woke up excited to see what the day had in store for me. The atmosphere you and the other staff has created at Campus Kids is just so, SO special and I am so proud that I got to be a part of that."
"I truly value the memories of the summers I spent there and the people I was able to work and make friends with, as well as the personal steps I took towards adulthood. It might be cliche to say, but I don't care- I certainly wouldn't be where I am today without all of it. . . . . Of all the things that I've experienced in the last 24 years, it still blows me away and at the same time is a no-brainer, that Campus Kids continues to stand out above everything else. What a beautiful place."
"Looking back on the summers at camp, I try and model my attitude and behavior after what it was like at camp, because I liked who I was at camp and that I could be accepted and loved just for being that version of myself. . . . I try to take what I learned at camp - about being a role model, a friend, including everyone, having fun, taking charge of your own learning...etc. - and then I try and apply it in my classroom as much and as often as possible. Thank you for providing me with the environment to learn and grow and develop, not only as a person, but as a teacher and future educator."
"I absolutely love this place and love this job!"
"Camp is a combination of enthusiasm, organization, youth, effort, fun and love. every staff member here tries their hardest to be the best person they can be, and being surrounded by such enthusiasm and love and positive energy can only result in a positive outcome. The atmosphere that CK embodies rubs off on anyone who encounters it, and it's an experience like no other. . . . Everyone is real here -- no one feels the need to fake anything. It's a place where I can be my weird self and always be comfortable doing it because I love and trust the people I'm doing it with. . . . I love being able to be a role model and know I made a difference in my campers' lives."
"Looking back over the last 5 summers that I was lucky enough to spend with you I get overcome with emotion of the sheer number of memories that I will treasure for the rest of my life. Camp has been an inspiring experience for me and has greatly shaped how I live my life. I want to thank you for those experiences and memories I've had with camp and wish you a great summer so that many more memories can be made."
"The biggest change I’ve noticed this year has been within myself. Camp helped me grow in a lot of different ways and I find myself breaking out of my shell even after camp. I’m more open with those around me, talking to new people, making new friends and getting closer to those I already had. And it’s nice knowing that even though camp has ended, it’s still with me everyday one way or another."
"I'm sending you this email to tell you how much I am going to miss camp this year, it has been a big part of my life for the past two years and I see you guys as part of my family. Not being there this year, I will miss every minute of it. I will spend my time looking every uploaded picture on this site and reading every "Sundial". Everyone has shaped me and made an impact in my life and I will not forget your effort and ability to get bring out the best out of everyone, your smile and wise words. Everyone's enthusiasm and willingness to make sure the campers have a great summer is phenomenal and cannot praise you enough. You lot have such a great impact in each other's lives and most importantly the camper's lives. Some of this campers leave not ever forgetting their experience while at camp."
"I had an amazing summer because I made so many great friends and worked with all different kinds of people. I had an influence on many children's lives, which I never knew I could do. I achieved my dream to be a role model for campers like my counselors had been role models for me. I learned so much about myself."
"Campus Kids has given me so many positive experiences. This job helped me realize that everything is not about me. I thought I was just one person and could never make a difference. Camp changed that opinion for me. I know that just making one kid's day is completely worth it. I also think camp really was a life changing experience. I have more confidence and much better people skills than when I first camp to camp three years ago."
"I find myself talking so much about this summer. Every time I try and explain how incredible your camp is I'm at a loss for words. It is funny because the days at Blair seemed to be so long and strenuous but looking back on them I only see the end result, a life changing summer. It may sound corny that I say life changing, but it really was for me and for my campers. My girls still keep in touch with me and I feel almost honored that they still want me to know what is going on with them and the changes in their lives. I wanted to say thank you for several reasons. First, for allowing me to meet some incredible people this summer. (My co-worker) was such an inspiration to me. I cannot say thank you enough for pairing me with her this summer. I think we will be friends for a long time, and owe it all to you and the leadership staff. Second, thank you for allowing me to be part of such a loving family. As my classes talk about successful businesses and how to run one, I find myself relating much of what they say to you and Campus Kids. Its amazing how you can just find amazing people from all over the world and stick them in a summer camp and have the camp run as smoothly as it does, I admire you so much for that."
"I can't imagine my summer without camp. It has not only given me a purpose these past three summers, but it has given me an experience I will never get anywhere else. I got to meet so many amazing people from all over the world. I got to meet so many really cool kids who I've got to watch grow in the 3 short years I have been there. . . . Thanks again for everything. Campus Kids has made a huge impact on my life."
"Just thought I would drop you a quick line to say thank you so much for everything this summer, As I have just arrived home it is slowly sinking in how much I miss you and everybody from camp. But as I think back on all the amazing things we have done over the past few months and the way we have influenced another generation of children and inducted them into the magical family that is Campus Kids those sad thoughts that we are not all currently together at Blair are quickly replaced by the excitement for what will be another amazing summer at Campus Kids NJ. Thank you sooo much for the opportunity to be a part of your amazing family this summer."