How to become a counselor in the camp? Duties of the leaders

Many at least once in childhood went to summer camp. The majority, although not all, had positive impressions. Therefore it is not surprising that when they become older, some seek to return to the camps, but already as counselors. How can this be done? How to become a counselor in the camp? And what qualities do you need to have to cope with this work?

Why the counselor?

Work with children can be different. Psychologist, doctor, educator in the kindergarten, teacher in school, sports coach, animator. All these professions have different pros and cons, their specificity and, of course, they will be interesting to different people. But there is activity, to some extent uniting all this - work "counselor in the camp." It allows you to get a completely unique experience of informal communication with children, learn to get along with them, understand them and find an approach for everyone. On their example, you can study how relationships are formed between people, and this will be useful, for example, to sociologists. Among other things, this is a very interesting activity that allows you to compensate for the lack of some knowledge with a huge reserve of enthusiasm. But how to become a counselor in the camp?

Required knowledge and skills

First of all, this is, perhaps, charisma. It is impossible to perform well the duties of counselors, not knowing how to interest children, to win their disposition and love. Further it is responsibility. The work of "counselor in the camp" presupposes constant monitoring of children, which, however, does not mean a strict restriction on self-expression.

It is also necessary to have a number of qualities. Characteristics of the camp counselor should include words such as "stress resistance" and "the ability to find an approach to a wide variety of characters." Essential knowledge of pedagogy and conflictology is also needed. It is worth saying that with this profile education is desirable, but not necessary, because you can go through special courses that will give all the necessary information.

There is a very strict rule for those who are interested in how to become a counselor in the camp. The applicant must be of legal age and have a health record. It is unlikely that there will be parents who are ready to entrust their child to someone who is not yet an adult by law. Consolation for those who have not yet reached to 18, but really wants to get such experience, can serve as an opportunity to work as an assistant counselor, to them the age requirements are less stringent.

How to get a job?

As a rule, long before the beginning of summer vacations in pedagogical universities, they disseminate all the necessary information on how to become a counselor in the camp. Those who are not related to their specialty with children will have to find their own contacts. You can do this by contacting the camp administration by phone or by finding an ad on the site. Of course, another way - to create a resume indicating the desired position, but the probability of a call from the administration of children's recreation centers is minimal.

Do not despair if before the beginning of the summer it was not possible to get a job. Quite often, vacancies are opened in July-August, when someone just gets tired of acting as a counselor or leaving a job for personal reasons. Therefore, it is worthwhile to monitor the labor market in the desired segment throughout the season. But, of course, it's better to do everything in advance and without haste. Then, perhaps, there will be even a choice, go to the sea or stay, for example, in the middle lane.

Duties

Before becoming a counselor in a camp, you need to understand what this work entails. In fact, this is a round-the-clock communication and support of children. In fact, this can hardly be called a rest, even if the camp is located on the shore of the warm sea. This is real work, besides it is not easy. The counselors are mainly engaged in educational and organizational work: they monitor the cleanliness of the rooms and organize cleaning, help the camp staff, participate in the planning and implementation of various activities, both at the detachment level and throughout the camp. In addition, it is the counselor who is responsible for the children, when they go beyond the territory. In general, this is the link between the administration and vacationers. But it is formal.

In fact, the counselor can become the actual leader in the group, the person to whom each child will go to ask for advice or share thoughts. It is from this person that the child's rest: boring or saturated will depend. By the way, one of the tasks of the counselor is to track the psychological climate within the detachment. Those who do not get along, it is necessary to settle and vice versa. Therefore, even before becoming a leader in the camp, you need to think carefully whether it will be possible to cope with such a load.

Career

Of course, it's uninteresting to work only on experience, knowing that there are no prospects in this field. But it is not so. Even the leaders have a hope for career growth.

To begin with, it should be said that the work in this position can be included in the teaching experience, which can be significant in the calculation of labor pensions.

In addition, there is such a position as the "senior counselor", as a rule, in schools, and not in camps, which is even closer to the work of the teacher. Advantage before the teaching activity in this case is the optionality of higher profile education, as well as experience. Senior counselor is involved in the overall organization of the educational process and the comprehensive development of pupils, as well as monitoring their safety.

Over time, of course, you can reach an even higher level. Having received the appropriate education, you can continue teaching activities, combining it with the educational. The choice of a profession depends on many factors, and the counselor is an excellent attempt at self-determination, which will allow you to assess your strengths and abilities in cultivating the next generations and developing their talents.

Adjacent Professions

Do not forget that the work "counselor in the camp" - in the first place, pedagogical, educational. And the choice of activities involving close contact with children is quite broad. Therefore, even if you did not manage to visit the leader, you can still find a way to do what you love. A teacher, a tutor, a tutor, a nanny - of course, these professions are not quite the same as what educators do in children's camps, yet they do not always presume a special education, but they help to find their vocation.