Enthusiasm = cool

Nov 26th, 2024

The most important camp skill out there has nothing to do with combatting homesickness, starting campfires, leading songs, passing a swim test, or running low ropes.

Not even close. By far. BY FAR (in caps so you read it!), the best skill you can have working at camp is enthusiasm. Again, not close.

“But Jack? Enthusiasm and energy aren’t a skill! That’s just something you either have, or you don’t, or you get from cheap coffee by the buckets full.”

(Shakes head slowly and sadly.) Not true. Not true at all.

Energy takes practice

Of all the skills I’ve refined while working and running camp, the one I’ve worked hardest to improve is enthusiasm.

And it’s the one skill any single person reading this can master before the summer starts.

Now, before everyone jumps ugly at me, calls me crazy, or flat-out disagrees, let me start by saying energy and enthusiasm come in different forms. It doesn’t always have to mean parading in front of the whole dining hall and doing something totally out of pocket to get kids fired up.

For everyone, this looks a bit different.

Enthusiasm and energy have a spectrum for sure, and trying to push yourself 10-20% past your regular running point will have crazy impact on those around you.

Later I should write about range and how mastering moving between high enthusiasm and real listening is a total unlock at camp.

Because humans are really good at figuring out when someone is doing this. Campers especially.

They know when someone is putting in the extra effort, when they’re keeping energy levels high, when they are engaged, and this all signals something necessary for every camp. That you give an extra crap.

My practice with enthusiasm was all about consistency. I tend to run a little hot, can really dial it up.

As a 16-year-old first-year counselor, I was the one with 14 seven-year-olds screaming chants on their own way to the chapel. Annoying? Yes. Wrong timing? Yes. Did my kids love it? Of course.

People like us do things like this

Seth Godin world famous marketer, past tristate keynote, spends his summers at Arowhon in CanadaWhere I had to improve was keeping those levels in times where, energy-wise, I was running a bit low. Just like campers know if someone quieter gets louder, they’ll also notice the opposite. Again, it’s work.

For you, it might mean coming out of your shell. Leading one extra song. Getting one more chant going. For me, it was reminding myself to step it up during parts of the day when all I wanted was to grab like 15 minutes of shuteye.

Seth Godin has this incredible quote, “People like us do things like this,” and if you can rock this in your camp, then it’s game on.

“People like us” = Staff with high energy & enthusiasm

“Do things like this” = keep it running all summer long

It starts with you. Energy breeds energy. Teams and staff (in camps or in business) feed off the enthusiasm of the person in charge. If the culture setter is absolutely bringing it daily, they will too.

Oh, and you can normalize the idea you are working at it as well.

Sometimes, during the summer, staff members would come up to me and be like, “Hey, how’s it going?”

I’m always honest. I’d say, “I'm freaking tired.”

It’s true. I’m ALWAYS tired during the summer. Few would know it, but I am.

Those 8-10 weeks are a complete sprint. But telling those staff members I was tired stood in stark contrast to what they usually just saw from me.

That was me wildin’ on some game, yelling nonsense across the meadow for some laughs, listening to a staff member’s concern, or working out an issue between a couple of campers.

Say it, and you’ll believe it

The understanding is to maintain this energy, I’m also digging deep. Not asking anything of a staff, at least in the energy department, I’m not asking of myself.

I’m telling you right now. That mindset is contagious in the best possible way.

And yeah, it takes work and practice. Say it to yourself and make sure you hear it. Write it down and make sure you read it.

“I am an enthusiastic person.”

Again for those in the back.

“I am an enthusiastic person!!!”

You say it, you see it, and you’ll believe it. And when you believe it, others will, too.

Heck, tell your staff to do the same. Make a running joke about it, one you are all in on. Even “fake” energy is better than none. Because fake energy turns into real energy quickly enough.

Remember earlier when I mentioned listening and energy? Remind me I gotta write later about “faking it” for the kids, listening, and being authentic.

This is next-level camp counselor stuff.

Practice enthusiasm, and you’ll be enthusiastic. Practice energy, and you’ll be energetic.

It’s the best skill because, with it, every other camp skill gets that much easier.

You got this.

Jack