View Full Version : Favorite Age Group
What's your favorite age group to work with over the summer?
I prefer kids around the ages of 6 to 7. They're young enough to still listen to you, but they're old enough that they're not too dependent on you (as in diapers, etc.).
So what's your favorite age group and why?
Indigo
10-21-2005, 09:26 PM
I really like older campers. My favorite group is the 14-16 year olds. Some of them have attitudees, but the ones who don't are great, and I really feel I can relate well to them. Not to mention, they're more reasonable than younger kids, most of the time!
audur
10-22-2005, 09:31 AM
I can't decide which age group I like best! Before last summer I had never worked with older girls, but most of my time this summer was spent working with them, and I really enjoyed it. It was also really good for me to try that, I learned a lot and it did a lot for my self-esteem - because I could do this crazy thing (work with older kids) that I thought I couldn't! I like to balance it out, though - I don't think I can pick a favorite age group, just because they are all so different, and all are fun to work with once you learn how to do it right.
speedx5xracer
10-22-2005, 02:02 PM
I Work with kids between 6 and 11 over all but my bunk consisted of 8-9 year olds. I prefer working with that group because they are self sufficient enought to take care of themselves but they still need some help. It gives me a sense of accomplishment knowing that i helped shape these kids rather than doing all the work for them.
camper
10-23-2005, 04:04 PM
when i started with my campers, they were going into 6th grade. now they'll be going into 8th. middle school girls are definitely a challenge but if you're fun and take the time to be with them they can be great...i love my girls!
martha27
10-24-2005, 02:48 PM
i had the same group of girls from age 11/12 until they were 15/16...different challenges each year! i couldn't pick a favourite year
i had the same group of girls from age 11/12 until they were 15/16...different challenges each year! i couldn't pick a favourite year
That must have been fun, having the same group every year. That's what I tried to do last summer by moving up to 7-year-olds. I wanted to get the same bunk as I had the year before. I didn't though. But I still saw them all the time, which was nice. :D
rockinsmiles
10-27-2005, 02:22 PM
last year i mainly worked with 10 and 11 year olds. i also worked with 12 year olds and 14-16. i like those ages best (probably 12 the most) because i feel i can conect better with them. i did work one week with 8 year olds and they are really cute but i got stressed out more in that age group.
last year i mainly worked with 10 and 11 year olds. i also worked with 12 year olds and 14-16. i like those ages best (probably 12 the most) because i feel i can conect better with them. i did work one week with 8 year olds and they are really cute but i got stressed out more in that age group.
You worked with 16-year-olds? Were they CIT's?
rhiannond87
10-27-2005, 05:32 PM
This is a difficult one. For me, we had different kids every week or two weeks, and I loved the 14-15 yr olds. Unlike long term camps, the kids love going to camp (I knwo thats not always the case). I had a bunk this year who had been friends for years but live in different parts of the country, they meet once a year at camp! They were awesome.
On the other hand,I taught sailing, and I loved teaching theJV kids (6-10 yr olds). It was sucha buzz to see how much they had achived in one week and they were so greatful it was amazing.
camper
10-27-2005, 07:45 PM
it is DEFINITELY not the case that kids at long term camps don't like camp. that's sometimes a perception you get from movies about camp that is COMPLETELY untrue. our kids eat, sleep, breathe, live camp during the winter. they count the days until camp starts and they love every minute for 7 weeks straight. they try to make as many plans as they can with their camp friends. they don't understand how kids only go to camp for 1 or 2 weeks a summer, or don't go at all.
it is DEFINITELY not the case that kids at long term camps don't like camp. that's sometimes a perception you get from movies about camp that is COMPLETELY untrue. our kids eat, sleep, breathe, live camp during the winter. they count the days until camp starts and they love every minute for 7 weeks straight. they try to make as many plans as they can with their camp friends. they don't understand how kids only go to camp for 1 or 2 weeks a summer, or don't go at all.
That pretty much describes me too! :P
rockinsmiles
10-28-2005, 10:51 AM
the 16 year olds were kind of CITs...one week the camp had like 25 something ppl who wanted to be CITs so we put them in a leadership group. only 8 came though...they were campers sunday-wednesday and then thursday got to be CITs. it was quite interesting. especially seeing as me and my co-counselor were the 2 youngest counselors!
That's weird to be a CIT and a camper.
I prefer older ones. I find little kids to be too...clingy, which can be cute but mostly irritating.
I prefer older ones. I find little kids to be too...clingy, which can be cute but mostly irritating.
Yes they can be very clingy. It does get annoying, but for some reason I enjoy working with them.
KrazyPoolGirl
10-28-2005, 06:36 PM
for the past 3 summers, ive lived with 1st thru 4th grades. there are goods and bads to each age group, i like being in the baby bunk (1st and 2nd grade) because there were less children but the older kids can do alittle bit more for them selves but they give you a harder time about doing things, while the younger kids like idolize you and when they ask you something, they don't really talk back to you!!
but since i'm a lifeguard i teach swim lessons for all the different age groups (1st-going into 6th grade)....there are + and - 's for all the different groups! the older girls are nice because they look at you for advice and try and relate to you, and they want your opinion about boys and stuff, and they love to share their stories about the boys who like them and they liike. the oldest boys are difficult just because and that causes problems when you try to teach them because they don't want to pay attention and all they want to do is play around.
speedy
10-29-2005, 01:39 PM
i'm all about the 13-16 year old girls... the overnight camps where i worked i liked the older girls because those were the programs i liked.. i like the more outdoors ones, tripping units, backpacking/canoeing/biking for a week.. and you can't do that with younger girls... also the high ropes/adventure units... and i click better with that age... since its one week gs camps i did occasionally work with 7-12 year olds and had fun but i'd rather be with the older ones.
this summer i worked with 10-11 year old girls for 8 weeks and it was rough.. i didnt have a great summer..
rowergirl06
10-29-2005, 03:43 PM
I spent my first summer with 10 year olds and my second with 12 year olds. I would have to say that the younger are my favorite. It is amazing how much kids change in two years! I enjoyed the kind of relationship I built with my younger girls and found them more willing to let a new counselor into their lives.
martha27
10-29-2005, 03:58 PM
it is DEFINITELY not the case that kids at long term camps don't like camp. that's sometimes a perception you get from movies about camp that is COMPLETELY untrue. our kids eat, sleep, breathe, live camp during the winter. they count the days until camp starts and they love every minute for 7 weeks straight. they try to make as many plans as they can with their camp friends. they don't understand how kids only go to camp for 1 or 2 weeks a summer, or don't go at all.
could not agree more.....!!
melon4382
10-29-2005, 04:36 PM
I love the little ones. I am a big fan of 6-10 yr. olds at camp. They are always so excited to do everything. They look up to you so much and they want to have fun at camp. There's always the homesickness and the bedwetting, but that's part of the experience. I love my little ones, they're always so much fun to work with for me:)
Skater Bubbles
10-29-2005, 07:03 PM
I love the youngest campers. For me that would be the 9-10 year olds.
CAMPFRIEND
10-29-2005, 08:11 PM
As a director I get to work with all of the kids all of the time. I don't think that I like any one age better than the other.. They all have their pros and cons!!!
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headforthelake
10-30-2005, 12:03 AM
I like the younger ones, 9-10 for me, but I also really enjoy 12-13. But, at 12-13, there are usually some attitude issues to work out. So, I think I prefer 9-10, but I would like to get some experience with older campers, like 14-16, just to see what it's like.
countrygal
10-30-2005, 04:45 PM
My 4-8 yr olds are awesome. I really love that age group. Im all bout the Jr.Girl tribe LOL. Although, I enjoy visiting my friends cabins cuase they work with the older girls and boys 9-12(13) and spending time with them, but I know I couldnt handle them by myself because we have many troubled youth due to the kids our camp is geared towards. They all know me and I know them and I end up just being the one they come to when they need a break from their counsellor/ a person to talk to or vise versa.
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