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My Summer Camp Counselor Experience

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I have no idea how I got the idea to work as camp counselor. It kind of just came to me one day. I applied to 11 different summer camps in California. My winter break my sophomore year of college consisted of applying to them because the applications were a nightmare and took hours to complete. I got interviewed by 4 different camps. One was my absolute favorite and I talked about it like it was my high school crush or something. Luckily, it was the camp I got hired at and will return to this coming summer. (June 8th, hurry up!!).

So what exactly does my camp counselor experience have to do with outdoor education? Well just about everything. I never truly understood why playing outdoors was important until I spent 9 weeks in the middle of no where at camp. Watching children get the opportunity to play outside is truly amazing. There’s no limits for exploration. The summer I spent as a camp counselor was hands down the best summer of my life, and I’m so excited to do it all over again. Summer camp has the power to change a kids life (and a counselor’s too!) and I strongly believe the opportunity it creates to play outdoors is one of those main reasons. Camp lets kids to be kids again. No technology. No scary news updates. It’s a place to be yourself, and explore the world around you. Silly camp songs are sung about beavers and children are constantly learning, whether they realize it or not.  After 9 weeks at camp I am a firm believer in the power of camp and the importance of playing outdoors.

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Introduction

You’re probably reading this and wondering why I created this blog. And more important, what it’s all about. First off, my name is Julia. I am 21 years old and a junior attending Sonoma State University located in Rohnert Park, CA. My passion in life is working with children and I want to be an elementary school teacher. I’m 99.9% sure teaching children is what I’m destined to do. I am in an education class all about leadership. Our signature assignment for the semester is to pick an issue and work to fix the issue. The issue I have chosen is the importance of outdoor education for children. In the United States, the importance of playing outdoors has slowly dwindled away. Kids spend a majority of their days cooped up indoors, playing video games and texting their friends. While they sit inside, the outdoors awaits them. There’s nothing in this world quite like nature. The opportunities it holds are endless. Children are free to explore and play. Unfortunately over time, the fear of the unknown has created hostile attitudes towards letting children play outdoors. Most parents and educators alike are greatly aware of the benefits of outdoor education, but because of all the awful things we read about and watch on the news, they are scared to let their children roam free. Through this blog, I will post my own thoughts and experiences on outdoor education (I work as a residential summer camp counselor in June through August), as well as articles and videos I find about the importance of outdoor education. So read on, and when you’re done, go play outside.