Every camp counselor is really just one of these characters from The Office

I have spent the last 16 summers of my life growing up and working at a summer camp. Over the years, you begin to recognize a trend in the mentoring tactics of the many staff who have come and gone. I have come to realize that most counselors fall into one of five categories. Each unique in it’s own right and each more or less successful in keeping children alive.

Those who have ever been to summer camp before just might recognize some of these categories.

The Jim Halperts

These are the stars of the show. They get the job done and get it done well, but with the minimal amount of energy necessary, and most everyone seems to love them. But most importantly, they make sure not to let the job get the best of them and do what they can to keep camp fun and light-hearted.

The kids all know their name, they are respected by most of their piers, and they know exactly when to goof off without getting into trouble.

The Dwight Schrutes

These staff always seem to be doing everything in their power to show their camp pride. They participate in every dress-up day, they are the first to volunteer for any and every job and they can usually be found leading their campers in group songs whenever transitioning between activities or experiencing a lull. Some may say that they love camp even to a fault.

The Stanley Hudsons

These counselors surprise their fellow staff repeatedly when they return from their day with all their campers in tact and accounted accounted for. They never seem to be more than 30 percent awake, have little to no enthusiasm for their work, nor are they all that concerned about the two campers running off to have a rock fight in the woods, yet somehow they emerge successful each afternoon.

The Erin Hannons

These counselors mean well, but often it just seems like there isn’t much going on upstairs. They love the kids and the kids love them, but every now and then you walk by them and notice them running through a field of poison ivy or letting one camper stand on another campers shoulder to poke a bee hive. They are concerning, but they are good-hearted.

The Michael Scotts

All camp counselors have a little Michael in them. We have to, otherwise we would never agree to spend our whole summer watching over 300 plusk children instead of relaxing at the beach and hiking mountains. We have to have that mix of just the right amount of craziness, zaniness and – most importantly – dedication.