There’s a moment every camp leader knows. It’s somewhere between the second cup of coffee and the morning flag raising, when you look around at your team and your campers and think — I’m so tired. And also, I wouldn’t trade this for anything. That contradiction? That’s camp. And somehow, every summer, you find a way to lead right through the middle of it. Some days the win is just making it to lights out. Every one of those days is why you’re here. But even the most dedicated camp leaders need a game plan for the hard days — the days when the tank is low. Here are three things that can help.
1. Learn on your people
You don’t have to carry today alone. A quiet word to a trusted co-counselor — “I’m dragging a little, can you take the lead on this one?” — is not a sign of weakness. It’s smart leadership. The best camp teams carry each other. Let yours carry you today.
2. Find your one good moment
Here’s a small shift that makes a big difference on the hard days — stop measuring the whole day and start looking for the one moment that made it matter. It might be the camper who finally believed in themselves enough to try something new. Those moments are always there — small, quiet, and easy to miss when you’re tired. But when you find one, hold onto it. It’s enough to carry you the rest of the way.
3. Give yourself the same grace you give your campers
Think about how you’d respond to a camper who came to you exhausted, overwhelmed, and running low. You wouldn’t tell them to push through and stop complaining. You’d sit with them. You’d remind them how far they’ve come. You’d tell them that struggling doesn’t mean failing — it means they’re trying. You deserve that same response. You’re doing a lot. It’s okay to feel the weight of it.
Every summer has these days. The ones that ask more of you than you feel like you have. But somehow, every summer, you find what you need to get through them. Lean on your people. Find your moment. Give yourself some grace. You’ve got this — even when it doesn’t feel like it.
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