How to Handle Difficult Camp Days

Summer camp is an unbelievable experience, I have made some of my best memories and friendships during my summers at camp. What people don’t talk about as much are the difficult days that every counsellor experiences at some point during the summer!

No matter how excited you are to go to camp, there will probably be moments where you feel exhausted, overwhelmed, homesick, or frustrated, which is totally normal. That does not mean you made the wrong decision, it simply means you’re adjusting to a completely new environment. Everyone experiences this at some stage during the summer, even returning staff members. No camp experience is perfect every single day!

At camp, you’re constantly around people, working long days, and often running on very little personal space. For some people, the social side of camp can feel draining at first, especially if they’re used to having more independence or routine at home. 

Homesickness can also affect counsellors, even those who rarely miss home. Missing family, friends, routines, or even small comforts like your own bed is completely natural. The important thing to remember is that these feelings usually come in waves and often pass quicker than you expect. I will always try and make some time in my day to call home, when homesickness is hitting a bit harder. 

What can help in these moments? 

One of the best things you can do on difficult days is talk to other counsellors. Chances are, the people around you are feeling the exact same way. It also really helps to just chat about whats on your mind!

It’s also important not to put pressure on yourself to enjoy every single moment. Social media can make camp look perfect 24/7, but the reality is that every counsellor has challenging days, and that’s part of the experience too.

Small things can also make a huge difference, getting extra sleep, taking a short break, calling home, journalling, going for a walk, or hanging out with staff members at the end of the day.

The reality is that some of the most rewarding parts of camp come after the difficult days. The moments where help campers overcome something, the late-night porch chats, the successful activity you worked hard for, or the feeling of realising you’ve grown more confident and independent than you thought possible. Those amazing moments are what make camp so special, and they often help carry you through the tougher days at camp.

By the end of the summer, most counsellors look back and realise that the difficult moments were only a small part of an experience that helped them grow, pushed them outside their comfort zone!