Located in a picturesque setting, surrounded by lush woods
and pine trees, was my ‘office’ for the summer – the tennis courts. The clear
blue sky, the warmth of the sun on your back, the trees rustling in the wind
creating a light breeze made it very easy to forget that you are actually here
to do a job. In any other situation at home, I would be daunted by the idea of
trying to control and teach a group of thirteen hyped up teenage boys but at
camp, this was a fun, rewarding and a somewhat challenging experience.
At my camp there were five other tennis counsellors which made the classes easier to handle as I would normally be working with at least one other tennis counsellor, if not two. We would start each lesson with a fun and different warm-up exercise every day and then divide the kids up into groups depending on their ability. Normally, then we’d go through some drills to practice a specific skill for that day. During the week-long staff orientation before the campers arrived, we made our own lesson plans, just to help us give a general idea on what we were going to teach to what ability so you were never stuck on what to do. Although, you do just tend to get caught up in the excitement and the overwhelming enthusiasm of the campers that you really just end up using your lesson plans as a guide and reference. I couldn’t believe how fast the lessons went (my camp was 50 minutes each lesson but this may vary) so was always surprised when the bell went for the end of the lesson. As long as the campers have had enough time to play a game before the end, then they’ll be happy- ‘Fruit Salad’ and ‘King of the Court’ seemed to be the favourites!
was so pleased to hear that I was going to camp as a ‘Tennis
Counsellor’ and doing something that I loved in America and getting paid for
it! Of course, no one goes to camp to earn the money but it is just nice to
have to spend on your travels after camp. Besides, the joy and fulfilment on a
camper’s face when they’ve finally managed to master the complicated serve
action is priceless. Although I was there to teach tennis, you are teaching
kids who are away from home and quite rightly bring their troubles with them.
One of the most rewarding experiences for me was managing to simply just have a
rally with a boy who had five minutes previously been crying in the corner of
the tennis court because he was upset and homesick. This is when I realised
that you’re not only there as a teacher but also as a best friend, sister and a
mother- there’s nothing more rewarding than that.
I started playing tennis from a young age and since then
have played at my local tennis club in friendly tournaments and for my
University team. So if you were like me and are sitting on the fence about
applying for Summer Camp USA, I would just go for it. No tennis qualifications
are needed, just a passion and knowledge to teach another person your skills-
trust me, you won’t realise what you can do and are capable of until you’ve
experienced Summer Camp. Like I was told in the orientation before I left to
America- ‘It’s the hardest job, you will ever love.’ This is certainly true and
an experience you’ll remember for the rest of your life.
To start your own all-American summer on Summer Camp USA, check out the list of in-demand 'Hot Activities' and other activities you could teach. EARLY APPLICATION IS ESSENTIAL and raises your chances of being placed.
To start your own all-American summer on Summer Camp USA, check out the list of in-demand 'Hot Activities' and other activities you could teach. EARLY APPLICATION IS ESSENTIAL and raises your chances of being placed.
Amy Reid Bunac Marketing www.bunac.org.uk/uk/summercampusa/
Article Source:- ArticleDashboard
