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5 Mental Health Benefits of Summer Camp
Living & Working in Nature
One of the special things about being a camp counsellor is the chance to live right in the middle of stunning nature in one of the world's most beautiful countries, Canada. We're talking about those picture-perfect lakes and rows of trees that just go on forever. It genuinely makes you feel good, and research confirms it. Nature can lower your stress levels, help your body relax, and boost your mood. Waking up to birdsong or gazing at a starry sky at night? How can you not feel good!
Keeping Active
You know what's great about being a camp counsellor or activity specialist? You're just naturally active all the time! Whether you're a lifeguard, leading a hike through the woods, guiding a canoe adventure, or getting everyone involved in some camp games, your body's moving. It's such a great way to boost your mental wellbeing without even really thinking about exercise. Unlike desk jobs or retail work, being active is just woven into the fun of camp life.
Opportunity for a Digital Detox
You know what's becoming super rare these days? A real break from your phone. That's a genuine gift that working at a summer camp can give you! Because of camp policies around the use of phones, you get this amazing opportunity to experience a digital detox and summer where your phone isn't the first thing you reach for. Research even suggests that just two weeks of stepping away from your phone can seriously improve your mental health, your general well-being, and even your focus. So, this isn't about missing out; it's about gaining a whole lot by disconnecting and truly embracing your camp adventure this summer!
Where will your summer take you?
Hiatus from Social Media
When you work at summer camp, you kind of step into this amazing 'camp bubble' which is like a little getaway from all the chaos of the outside world. Without your phone, you're blissfully removed from social media and all those online pressures, which can significantly benefit your mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and feelings of comparison. While the absence of your social media might feel unusual at first, you'll be having so much fun, you won't even think about doomscrolling or have the time!
In-person connections
It's kind of special. In a time where "connecting" often means likes and comments, working at camp gives you this rare chance for truly genuine, in-person relationships. When you're living and working so closely with fellow counsellors and staff from all corners of the world, sharing those moments of homesickness or lifting each other up on tough days, you create these bonds that just form so quickly and often become lifelong friendships. These real, human interactions are essential for growing your social skills and emotional intelligence, and they're such a powerful way to combat the feelings of loneliness that so many young adults face.
Working at a summer camp offers a mix of natural beauty, physical activity, digital detox, and genuine human connection, all key ingredients for a healthy mind. It's a chance to step away from the pressures of modern life, immerse yourself in a unique environment and create lasting memories. You’ll return home feeling not just like you had a great summer, but like you invested in yourself in a truly valuable way, not only personally but professionally too!
