Camp Starfish

It feels cliche to call a job life-changing; after all, for better or for worse, every employer offers you some insight into collaboration, handling adversity, and what your future career might look like. However, if I were to qualify my time working at Camp Starfish on par with every other job I’ve had (or for that matter, will have), it would be an incredible disservice. Working at Camp this summer was, to put it simply, the most rewarding and memorable experience of my life. Starfish offers an amazing degree of support and assistance to every staff member at every level of Camp, from the directors who spent years in the profession to first-year counselors like myself who hadn't a clue on what to do when arriving. Starfish is undoubtedly challenging, and it'll test your emotional and physical strength more vigorously than any other summer job out there. But the challenges faced by one staff member are challenges faced by the whole camp community; you'll never feel alone in your struggles, and the staff by your side will quickly become your built-in best friends. For somewhat of an awkward person myself, I have an array of friends spanning all around the globe, something I could have never fathomed when first arriving. The kids that come to camp are the best part about the job: they challenged and inspired me more than anyone had in my life. The memories and lessons I walked away with after the summer was so extensive, I could write a whole novel just about every two-week session. Even though I spent a full two and a half months at Starfish, working occasionally from 6 in the morning to 11 at night, I still feel indebted to the environment that has forever altered the trajectory of both my professional and personal life. The only way to truly comprehend my, and the rest of the staff’s stories, is to work here for yourself. Come to Starfish with an open mind and a willingness to work and you’ll never look back; I sure haven't.

— Liam, Waterfront Specialist