Growing as a person and a counselor

Lawrence Woodmere Academy Summer Day seems like a household name when it comes to day camps. Since my first day ever at the camp, at the age of 10, I was able to play sports I never dreamed of trying, create all types of arts and crafts, as well as make friendships that will most likely last a lifetime.

I’ve had the pleasure of attending the camp for the past seven years, growing from a camper to a counselor-in-training to now an assistant counselor. This summer is quite a different experience for me since it is my first summer as an assistant counselor and I am adjusting to learning all that comes with this new responsibility.

Throughout my time as a CIT, I learned a lot about what would be expected of me as an assistant counselor: know when to be stern, yet still keep the kids safe and happy, take part in as many activities as possible, keep my eyes strictly on the pool when it’s swim time, and last but not least always be camera-ready with the campers!

All of these thoughts and facts in the back of my mind were tremendously helpful when I transitioned to becoming an assistant counselor, but the most valuable way I learned how to adjust was through my head counselor, Jennie Goroly. Having such an exceptional head counselor to look up to has shown me the kind of assistant and head counselor I want to be one day.

Jennie has taught me the exact right way to set up lunch (always take lunch orders in the morning!), how amusing arts and crafts with the kids can be and how much the campers value all the entertainment they receive from their counselors. For example, I created a handshake with one of my campers, and the entire group loved it so much that I taught it to all of them. They all came in the next morning still doing it, and nothing could beat the big smiles on all their faces. Jennie taught me just how special that feels to a counselor.

A gigantic reason being an assistant counselor is so enjoyable is because there are always two or more assigned to any group. And I am so grateful that the second assistant counselor in my group is Eden Schebovitz. She and I met as campers at when we were 10, and now we are still inseparable. Since Eden, 18, is a year older than I am, she had already experienced her first summer as an assistant counselor and has been guiding me through mine.

Through Eden I have learned how necessary it sometimes is to act like a child, while still balancing being a great counselor, because whether we like to admit it or not there is a 5 year old in all of us. It feels so freeing to dance and sing to Disney Channel songs with the campers and have no worries in the world. There is also nothing Eden loves more than playing a variety of sports with the campers.

Whether it is basketball, zumba or soccer, Eden never fails to convince all the counselors to join in on the fun with her. Through this I have learned the importance of participation as a counselor. The campers are always in such awe when counselors join the games and add to the friendly competition, and because of her I now never fail to include myself in all the sports. Without her by my side the past seven summers, I would be a much different counselor and a much different person. Camp friends are friends for life.

So, if you had asked me before camp had started what it meant to be an assistant counselor my answer would have been simple: the same thing as a CIT, but with a bit more responsibility attached. My answer now though is far more complex. It means learning from those around you every day, always finding new ways to bring smiles to the campers faces, but most importantly enjoying yourself and each and every minute of the adventure that is Lawrence Woodmere Academy Summer Day.

Brailovsky, a North Woodmere resident, is now a senior at Hewlett High School. This is the first of two parts.