Camp Akeela

Cabin Counselor

June - August 2022 • Thetford Center, VT

What I liked

Relevant, plentiful experience working with children ages 9-16, many of whom are on the autism spectrum or have ADHD. Build long-lasting friendships and professional relationships with other students studying psychology, special education, or a related health science. Camp leadership are senior staff members are welcoming, open, care deeply about diversity and inclusion, and support their staff in professional and personal growth.

What I wish was different

Nothing.

Advice

Take the risk and travel to Vermont for a summer. Working as a camp counselor prepares you for future work in innumerable ways: improved interpersonal, time management, and advocacy skills as well as learning experiences in your area of clinical study.

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Camp Counselor

June - August 2021 • Thetford Center, VT

What I liked

The employer brought together an amazing group of people to service a very particular group of kids and we managed to provide them an enjoyable summer in the midst of difficult times in our country and in their own lives.

What I wish was different

I wish I had received more hands-on training ahead of time, we had 2 weeks of training and I still felt unprepared when the campers arrived.

Advice

Try your best to truly connect with the campers, it will make for a better experience for them and for you.

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Woodshop specialist

June - August 2019 • Thetford Center, VT

What I liked

Camp Akeela is a summer camp for kids who have a hard time making social connections with their peers and I really enjoyed helping campers make friends. I also just love summer camp so it was so fun to make friends with fellow counselors, get to know campers, do arts and crafts, go swimming and hiking, have water balloon fights, and just spend the summer at camp!

What I wish was different

It is a pretty far into the back woods of Vermont so there is no cell service or internet and you can feel kind of secluded. You also live in a cabin with campers so there 's not much in terms of privacy.

Advice

Get to know you co counselors, everyone there really wants to be there and is really cool. Also, bring rain boots, it is not just a cute suggestion, they are a necessity.

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Camp Counselor/ Waterfront Specialist

July - August 2018 • Thetford, VT

What I liked

Vermont is beautiful and the staff is awesome.

What I wish was different

Transportation for days off.

Advice

If you love working with kids this is a job for you.

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Camp Counselor

June - August 2018 • Appleton, WI

What I liked

Working with a range of different cultures and races.

What I wish was different

Advice

Be open to do something different.

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Camp Counselor & Office Manager

June - July 2018 • Appleton, WI

What I liked

What I wish was different

Advice

It is a ton of work but extremely rewarding!

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Camp Counselor

June - August 2018 • Thetford, VT

What I liked

I loved working with a childhood population that I am looking forward to working with in the future. The kids at this camp struggled with communication and social skills, so I got to help them learn important skills. I was also able to ensure that these children had an incredible summer; many of these kids struggle to socialize at home and in school. I learned so much about how to counsel and how to be a leader.

What I wish was different

I wish camp would've been longer! Two three week sessions was not enough.

Advice

I spent a lot of time trying to find my footing, and I wish I would have been more confident in the beginning. By the end of the summer, I was much more ready to jump in and help in all kinds of different situations.

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Ceramics specialist

June - August 2018 • Thetford, VT

What I liked

I loved working with the kids and I loved teaching ceramics! My coworkers were interesting and fun and I think I made some life long friends.

What I wish was different

It was a very long summer and there was a strong learning curve I wish I could’ve applied the knowledge I gained by the end to the first session of camp

Advice

It’s a long summer so make sure to take care of yourself! Also your co-counselors make a bigger difference to your experience than what age kids you work with so choose wisely!

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Summer Camp Counsellor

June - July 2018 • Appleton, WI

What I liked

Working with children— especially those with social impairments or difficulties— is incredibly enjoyable due to how immediately fulfilling each day is. Every situation in which you can help a child resolve a conflict or make new friends motivates further involvement due to the changes you see them undergo as they learn and grow.

What I wish was different

While it was an amazing experience, I wish it were a little bit longer. It was approximately five weeks which felt short. However, it did allow for the rest of the summer to be filled with recreation and relaxation.