By Noah Stein
As a staff member at Nebagamon, I’ve worked in a few different roles, and every time I’ve started in a new role I’ve felt anxious ahead of time. As a first-year junior counselor, I wondered if I would be able to create a welcoming and fun environment in my cabin, if my campers would like me, and if I would get along with my co-counselor. My first year working as a wilderness trip counselor, I worried about whether I could curate the same magical wilderness experiences that Nebagamon has provided campers for decades, and how I would be able to handle all of the challenges that arise on trail. When I became a village director, I thought about the amazing village directors I’d worked for in the past and if I could possibly meet the remarkably high standard they set.
In each of the iterations of my roles at camp, I discovered that my worries were totally unfounded. Because I forgot about one of the most remarkable aspects of this wonderful institution…the support. When I was a junior counselor my village director always offered helpful feedback and my co-counselor helped teach me the ropes of counseling. As a trip leader, my trip directors taught me everything I needed to know to handle the challenges that arise on trail. When I was a village director for the first time, the same pushes I had worked for in the past offered their advice and made themselves available for me throughout the summer as I stepped into my new role.
In April, when I was hired as the incoming director, I encountered some of the same thoughts and feelings that arose when I stepped into new roles in the past. My mind wandered to all of the things I didn’t know yet, like what working in the Big House on my first day would be like, how hard it would be to get up to speed with Camp’s operations as the season approached, and whether or not I’d be able to tolerate Adam Kaplan’s sense of humor for a full work day in the office. I felt overwhelmed.
But sure enough, as soon as I arrived at Camp, there were people ready to help. The year-round team up here at Camp have been patient as I’ve learned to navigate my new role. They’ve offered support and guidance, consistently asking how they can help. Adam has even been conscientious with his comedic repertoire, offering jokes that are actually (mostly) funny! While there’s still a lot for me to learn, I know from my sixteen previous summers at Camp that I’ll get there with the help of our team. Thanks to Joe Briggs, Louis Levin, Andy Mack, Troika Brodsky, Joe Crain, Steph and Adam, my first few weeks have been an incredible learning experience, a ton of fun, and I’ve felt more confident every day.
All of my experiences in new roles at Camp mirror the experiences many of our campers have in their first days at Camp. Coming to Camp can feel overwhelming. Our campers might feel some hesitation in the days leading up to camp, and as they step off the bus into a place they’ve never been before. It can be hard to face the unknown, to be away from home for the first time, and to meet new people. However, they quickly learn what I’ve come to know about Camp, that it is filled with empathetic people prepared to make their transition as smooth as possible.
In our community, we empower our campers to take safe risks starting on day one when they board their plane or bus. With support from counselors and cabinmates, our campers grow more confident and comfortable in their new home away from home every day. For many, coming to summer camp means stepping out of their comfort zone. Because our community is so supportive, it’s the perfect place to do just that–for campers and incoming directors alike.