Dear Summer Program Staff Member:
You are awesome! I have to start off by telling you this, because I think you need to know and be reminded that you were hired because you HAVE the skills and abilities to do this job and you are talented. We hired you because we are All confident in your judgment, character and integrity. Remember this! Throughout the summer, days get long and hot and you may wonder why you took this job or if you can handle all the random daily challenges that infiltrate every single day ( and sometimes nights!). So let’s just keep that in mind: you are AWESOME and you are going to make this a fantastic summer for both RAs and kids.
Next, I’d like you to be prepared for the challenges that you many not have thought of yet. One of the largest is the sheer length of this program. There aren’t real ‘breaks’ and down time is far between. You are going to have to relax and make some good friends on the staff because these are the people you will see every day. Also, as the summer happens, you’ll see that these people are the only ones who will completely understand what it’s like to live and work in this day to day environment. Well, maybe a few camp counselor friends will get it, but summer programs really are unique. So reach into yourself and find a way to be extroverted and make new friends. These people are cool too! (Cause, you guessed it, we hired them!) Find things to laugh about and remember to be brave. The brave thing is helpful in the job too. Smile, look in those parent’s eyes and keep the confidence near you. They (the parents) want to finish their conversation with you and walk away with an assurance that you are capable and knowledgeable. I know that they can sometimes seem intimidating, overly inquisitive and pushy—but seriously, they love their kids and they want to know that they will be okay. Be calm and patient and find answers for them.
You may be wondering about daily life stuff. Well, here is some advice on that. Have a schedule and make sure you include all those little things that keep you SANE (because we really don’t want you to lose it or get sick!). Do yoga- read your bible or complete your spiritual time. Keep journaling, meditating, or whatever it is that helps you to re-group after a long day. This is essential. In a job like this, you need to stay fairly centered. Are you having trouble sleeping? Tell someone! Switch a mattress or something. Sleep is one of the most important things you can do to stay happy. Try not to IM or text or skype or chat or whatever late into the evening after the kids are asleep. No, you don’t have a ‘lights out’ time, but you do have to be calmly awake and ready to do things come morning and it never looks good to be all bleary eyed at the 9am meeting.
Here’s something to remember: DO stay in contact with your long term “real” friends. They may not understand everything that’s going on with you but they love you and talking to them after a long day will cheer you up. They aren’t talking about kid issues, work orders, or weekend trip schedules. They are talking to you because they know you inside and out and they’re trying to keep you sane too.
Other nity-gritty advice: Do NOT miss breakfast! It may seem hard, but seriously, your body and attitude will thank you when you feed it before 12pm. Oh, and everyone on staff too. Try to plan things in advance, especially your time off days and half days. It’s not fun to suddenly have free time and nowhere to go/no one to spend it with (though sometimes just sleeping can be a good day off…)
Try to get to know your RAs. What do they love? What stresses them out and how can you make their day to day kid-watching easier? While kids are amazing, you are now watching college ‘kids’ and they have their own stresses and concerns. Remember your own time as an RA; try to make meetings concise, clear, fun, and helpful/productive to those attending.
Also, if you can manage to keep your brain in your head : remember that just because someone is angry does not mean they are angry at you. You do not need to constantly feel guilty. Everything is not your fault and you do not have the ability to make other people happy. Sometimes people are just angry and grumpy and you need to back off and let them be. It’s not about you. Don’t avoid your responsibilities and then sulk around finishing them when you had all the time to complete the task that was necessary.
To some extent, you need to remember these things:
1. -You are worthy of good things
2. -Everything is not about you
3. -You can control your responses to circumstances/occurrences
4. -There is more to you than you know
Please read over the above statements one more time… at least. I’m sure one of those statements is particularly relevant at this moment to you.
If it is the first, you are likely feeling insecure and anxious. Then: STOP IT and listen to me: you are able, confident, brave, and knowledgeable. No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. Your family admires you and you are an awesome and unique individual. Be your self. All is not lost. Become who you are; it happens once in a lifetime.
If you are stuck on the second: They aren’t thinking about you. They haven’t noticed what you wear and it doesn’t matter anyway. They have their own issues to worry about; don’t expect them to want to listen to all your thoughts. Get over yourself and move on.
If it is the third: Take a deep breath. Foolish words and actions occur when you speak hastily. Breathe. Let the moment pass. You can stop time here. Step back in your mind. Let your words be few and remember to take everyone’s words and actions in the kindest possible way. Do not take offense. Do not assume the worst. Respond gently to even the most direct assault. If you can, reflect on the fact that you never know the whole story of what is going on with the other person. Quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.
Lastly, number four: in the words of Eleanor Roosevelt: people are like teabags—you don’t know your own strength until you are in hot water. Be strong and brave. Courage is not just for the weak, but for all of us because the work we’ve been called to is hard. Turn to the Lord. Be reassured. For surely He is with you always even to the very end of the age. Never will He leave you or forsake you. Call on the Lord in your times of distress, seek Him alone. Pray in those times of silence when you want to panic. Let your spirit to be lifted to God no mater what your situation or location or circumstances. Be not afraid- if God is for you what can man do to you? Earnestly seek the Lord and He will find you.
Well that is all the advice. It got pretty detailed…kinda personal. But if you’re reading this, life has probably gotten crazy. Deep breath—you are okay. Breathe in, breathe out, take one breath and let it out. Take another and make it somehow- everything will work out to be just fine. Take life five minutes at a time
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