Camp Wayne Camps

Painting and Drawing Counselor

June - August 2022 • Preston Park, PA

What I liked

I really liked working with the campers and creating lesson plans for my station in the Art (M.A.D.) Workshop. I really fell in love with being a bunk counselor, the 11 campers that I spent the summer with were amazing. They were sweet and energetic and made the experience better overall. The camp is also just gorgeous, I fell in love with waterfront, the treehouse, and the camp as a whole.

What I wish was different

The pay. I walked away with $2,000 (which includes the 400 they give you for travel, so it's really 1,600) which I feel was truly not enough. Being a counselor for the youngest age group was very demanding (you are a full time summer parent) and $1,600 was not enough for everything this job entailed. I loved my campers, but I felt incredibly overworked and taken advantage of for pay that I received. Color war (which is a three day event at the end of the summer) was debatably the worst three days that I have experienced. During color war time off is essentially nonexistent. The staff and the campers are exhausted and stretched thin. Every staff member that I talked to hated Color War because of how physically and emotionally exhausting it was. Almost all of my campers really disliked Color War as well, they couldn't catch a break. Rest hour was filled with activities and the only rest they got was at 9 at night. I wished that this event was not so intense for the campers and especially for the staff.

Advice

This job can be really rewarding, but it is incredibly difficult. Prepare yourself to be very tired and drained. Take advantage of your days off, get off campus and explore Pennsylvania/New York. Make sure that you are prepared for hard work and long days. Make sure you make friends with other counselors during orientation week, they really help you get through the summer.

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Camp Counselor

June - August 2022 • Preston Park, PA

What I liked

Absolutely everything! It was the most rewarding job I've ever had. The people are so genuine and welcoming, and there's something to learn from everyone whether they're 6 or 60.

What I wish was different

Honestly, nothing. I wouldn't trade or change a single thing because every experience shaped me into a better counselor.

Advice

Keep an open mind, be willing to try something new, and know that that in 8 weeks it'll all be worth it.

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Camp Counselor

June - August 2022 • Preston Park, PA

What I liked

Working at Camp Wayne for Girls was an experience I'll never forget. I loved the opportunity to meet people on staff from not only around the country, but also around the world. Throughout the summer, I was able to build bonds with campers and staff which will last a life time. Working in MADD (the art department) was such an amazing experience and such a creative environment. The atmosphere at Camp Wayne is one I have never felt anywhere else.

What I wish was different

The very little time off made the experience a little challenging, but you will find that no matter what summer camp you work at.

Advice

Don't go into this job thinking it will be easy. The days can be long and being around the same people 24/7 can be challenging. But a saying at camp which I wholeheartedly agree with is you get out of the experience what you put into it. So if you give the job your all, you will have an amazing experience!

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Camp Counselor/Vieographer

June - August 2019 • Preston Park, PA

What I liked

The friends I made with counselors and campers were what made the entire experience so amazing. Strong friendships made from outdoor games, late nights, and lots of bonding activities.

What I wish was different

In many ways, I wish it were even longer! It's difficult to say goodbye.

Advice

Go into it with an open mind and open arms. It can get tough sometimes, but that is what makes the experience so life-changing and valuable.

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Camp Counselor

June - August 2019 • Preston Park, PA

What I liked

This was a summer experience that I will never forget! The staff and campers were great. I worked with the youngest campers (7-8yrs old) and it was challenging at times because of the new situation, but very educational. You learn the importance of how you present yourself and act because the campers are impressionable of what you do. Being that the camp hires staff from around the world, it allows you to meet new people and eventually travel to visit them.

What I wish was different

Advice

Working at a summer camp with a variety of people from all over the work is rare, so dive deep into the experience and have fun with it all.

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Camp Counselor

June - August 2019 • Preston Park, PA

What I liked

My favorite part of being a counselor was making connections with the kids in my bunk. Despite a big age difference (my campers were 10-years-old), I was able to become very close to the kids and I loved being a mentor to them. While at times stressful, this job was incredibly rewarding as I was able to give the kids a great summer and ensure that they made lifelong memories. Being from the United States, I also really liked how I was able to make friends with and meet cool and interesting people from all over the world in my fellow counselors.

What I wish was different

Advice

I was a camper at Camp Wayne for seven summers prior to becoming a counselor. What makes Camp Wayne special for me is the people there, whether it be your fellow counselors, the campers, or the senior staff. My one piece of advice would be to try as hard as possible to make friends and meet new people at Camp Wayne.

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Instructor

June - August 2019 • Preston Park, PA

What I liked

Made some great friends. Great Art department

What I wish was different

How certain situations are handled. I wish the pro-staff were more supportive More inclusive to everyone I wish they didn't play favorites

Advice

To be completely honest I had a horrible time working here. I would not suggest working here ever unless you are prepared to be judged, left out of cliques, be in a hostile environment, and not be supported by the pro-staff whatsoever.

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Camp Counselor

July - August 2019 • Preston Park, PA

What I liked

This was a really amazing job with so many amazing people from all over the world. I felt really honored to be part of the team before, during, and after the summer. I made some lifelong friends and had so much fun even working such long hours. The Directors and Head Counselors were all such awesome people and the art classes I taught and the bunk I was part of was all excellent fun.

What I wish was different

The living conditions could have been cleaner, cooler during the day and warmer at night, and planned a bit better in terms of locations in relation to where people live and work. Also, for being on the job 24/6 for most of the time, there could have been a few better transportation options for our free time.