The pathway from camper to camp counsellor is by no means automatic at Centauri. For most, it begins early, at the age of 15 when campers start to take components of the leadership program, and to accept leadership roles around camp. By the time they are old enough to apply for staff, therefore, a camper is already a respected member of the community, known and admired by younger campers. Most likely, they will have helped run an evening program, completed an ‘Inspiration Challenge’ in front of the whole camp, shadowed dorms, tackled at least one ‘OOPS’ (more of that in later blogs!) and run a workshop with help and support from experienced teachers.
Most counsellors are 18 or 19 years old when they apply to join staff. We usually receive around 30 applications for the few staff positions available (5 or 6, most years). What do we look for in potential counsellors? An eagerness to give back to the camp community is essential, as are leadership experience, a sense of responsibility, arts skills, the ability to inspire others, positivity and integrity. What we look for more than anything else is good human beings who are fabulous role models.
Katie B. joins our team for the first time in 2013. Katie has spent six summers with us as a camper, focussing on Dance and Stage Combat. What kept her coming back, year after year? ‘I believe being a camper at Centauri brings out the best in people,” she says. ‘It’s a magical place which fosters confidence. It’s where creativity grows.”
Katie is entering her final semester of grade 12, and couldn’t be more excited for this summer. Recently, she accepted admission for Queens University in the Fall. She’s very busy with creative projects, and at the moment is choreographing a 40-person dance piece. Katie says, I can’t wait to transfer the fun and joy that I have felt over the past six years at Centauri, to new and returning campers. I know it’s going to be a fantastic summer!
For more information about our incredible camp counsellors, click here.
Centauri Summer Arts Camp
www.centauriartscamp.com