Heartland Camp

Program Assistant

May - August 2021 • Parkville, MO

What I liked

The mission and passion of the organization

What I wish was different

I wish my specific program was more organized and supported

Advice

This position will push you behind your abilities. You have to fill your own cup before you can pour out.

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Overnight Camp Counselor

May - August 2020 • Parkville, MO

What I liked

I really loved working at Heartland Camp. I was camper there when I was a child which I thought nothing would be better than that until I was a counselor. Last summer was the best summer of my life. I got to build lifelong friendships who encourage me to pursue the Lord and encourage me when I am down. Also, during the summer, it is so much fun to be able to spend the summer being a kid again and teaching real kids about Jesus. I got to be super goofy and just show children how much they matter to the world. The moment I think are the best are not the ones where I stayed up late talking with friends or playing silly games in the pool, but being able to tell kids how much they are loved and listen to their stories. These are where amazing memories are made and a lifetime of experience.

What I wish was different

The only thing I wished that would have been different is having more weeks of summer.

Advice

I would say do this job because there will be nothing like it, and since we are all in college might as well make the most of doing fun jobs. If you don't feel ready to counsel the beautiful part is Heartland and the Lord will equip you to be able to do the job.

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Overnight Counselor

July - August 2020 • Parkville, MO

What I liked

I loved the energy and the community that came with camp. Everyone was so supportive and from the minute I arrived, I felt loved and valued. I liked that I got paid to run around, be silly, and share the love of Christ every single day. Not only was I able to share the gospel and change the lives of campers, but my own relationship with the Lord was strengthened in unexpected ways.

What I wish was different

I wish the summer had been longer and I could have spent more time at Heartland. I also wish there was a larger pool of staff so more peer connections could be made.

Advice

Be prepared to work hard and give 100% to this job. But also be prepared feel so rewarded at the end of your summer.

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Overnight Camp Counselor

May - August 2020 • Parkville, MO

What I liked

Working at Heartland was an amazing experience all around. I have worked there for the past two summers (2019, 2020) and have thoroughly enjoyed everything that summer staff has to offer. One of the things I enjoyed the most was how the staff community develops throughout the summer. At the beginning of the summer everyone is kinda new and just getting to know one another, but by the end everyone is super close and great friends. I have left summer staff in back to back years with many new close friends who I continue to stay connected with. Each summer at Heartland, I have learned and grown as a leader, communicator, friend and as a follower of Christ. It is hard to sum up the impact that my time at Heartland has had on me, I have had such an amazing experience there and would recommend being on staff to anyone interested in working at a summer camp.

What I wish was different

In my two summers working at Heartland, I can honestly say that there is almost nothing that I would change about my working experience at camp. If there are things that I wish would or could be different it is likely that the directors and the full-time staff already know and are brainstorming ways to solve the problems. If they don't know, they are super kind and willing to listen and try to implement changes that benefit everyone at camp.

Advice

Working at camp is hard, no matter the role. There is no easy job at Heartland. You have to push yourself, but the more you do the more you get out of the job at Heartland. I would recommend that you should be open and honest and try to lean into the community at Heartland. Also be willing to try new things and to go outside your comfort zone because then you will really start to see how working at Heartland can have such a profound impact on your life, in the best way possible.

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Overnight Camp Program Assistant

May - August 2020 • Parkville, MO

What I liked

The community at Heartland is one of the best communities I have ever been a part of. I have worked at Heartland for the past three summers, and every summer I have built lasting friendships with fellow staff members. In addition to the amazing community, the experience I've gained here has been valuable in all areas of my life: personal, professional, and spiritual. I grew as a leader, a mentor, a communicator, and a follower of Christ. I truly believe Heartland is one of the best places on earth to grow in your relationship with God and gain camp and professional experience!

What I wish was different

As I reflect on my three summers on staff, there are very few things I would have changed. One, however, from my second summer (2019), is that I wish I would have been more intentional with relying on others for support during the challenges of summer. Being on staff and in leadership requires a lot, and though I had people around me to support me, I did not always ask them for help or rely on them as I wish I would have.

Advice

Two things: 1) You get out of this job what you put into it. I talked about how amazing the community is, but that only happened because I was willing to be vulnerable and put effort into being known by my fellow staff members and by the full-time directors. It is SO worth it!! 2) Be ready to work hard! This job is challenging in many ways, but also extremely rewarding. You will be working primarily outside and spending a lot of time with silly, joyful kids each week. Working at Heartland has been the most fulfilling thing I have ever done, and it has also been the most stretching. Remember, through it all, the full-time directors and your fellow staff members will be right alongside you supporting you.

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