The Adventure of Being an Adventure Specialty Counselor

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By Sally Ralphson

Just a short 6 weeks ago our team of 16 adventure staff met for the first time. For the majority of us, the adventure had begun days earlier in our various airports across England, Ireland and Israel with only four of our team being raised as American Harlemites. For a significant amount of the group, including my self, it was our first ever experience not only of summer camp but of leading adventure elements.

In the last 6 weeks we’ve been able to watch as literally hundreds of children trust us to keep them safe and guide them through the various parts of Adventure at camp. For every child who comes, the adventure can be very different, with some who could ( & want to) climb the tower blindfolded and others needing a little more persuading to take one more step.

For me, the best thing that happens at adventure is watching how supportive the kids can be of each other. When they spot a friend who appears anxious or stuck they offer their support and advice, wanting them to do the best they can. They celebrate in each others achievements and help each other to feel proud of what they have accomplished, whatever that might be.

As an adventure staff member you see pretty much every emotion in the kids you work with. You see the happiness and adrenaline rush when kids reach the bottom of the zip line as well as the fear and anxiety they experience before stepping off the platform. More Importantly, you get to help them through the difficult moments and join them in the amazing ones.

The experiences I’ve had in the last 6 weeks are valuable beyond compare and while we are starting to be able to see the end of camp coming into the near future I can’t wait to see what the next three weeks can still hold.

Sally Ralphson is from Mancaster, England. During the school yer she studies Psychology. his is her first summer at Camp Harlam.