The Importance of International Staff

Our international staff brings a richness and depth that make camp more than just a summer experience; they make it a truly global one. Their perspectives, accents, traditions, and laughter from around the world add something special to everyday camp life. I always knew this was true, but after experiencing summers during and after COVID, when we had little or no international staff, it became even more apparent. When they returned, it reminded us just how much we had been missing and how much we need them at camp!

Both my son and daughter have lived in cabins with staff from all over the world, and nothing makes me happier than knowing they’ve had those experiences. From the UK to New Zealand to Colombia to Mexico, they’ve formed real connections and been exposed to cultures far beyond their own. Those relationships don’t just broaden their worldview, they help shape them into more open, thoughtful, and compassionate people.

When campers meet counselors and staff from other countries, something magical happens. The world feels both bigger and smaller at the same time. Bigger, because campers realize there are countless ways to live, learn, and see the world. Smaller, because friendships quickly form and transcend geography, language, and borders. Campers aren’t the only ones who learn. Our international staff come to camp ready to share, but also to discover. They experience American traditions, such as s’mores around the campfire and Fourth of July parades, while teaching us songs, games, and customs from their home country. This mutual exchange creates a vibrant, multicultural environment where curiosity thrives, and everyone has something to teach and something to learn.

Our international staff often serve as role models not just for their skills, but for their courage and adaptability. They’ve traveled far from home to take on new challenges, meet new people, and make a difference in campers’ lives. Their presence shows campers the value of stepping outside their comfort zones, embracing adventure, and saying “yes” to the unknown, all core parts of the camp spirit. By the end of the summer, our camp family stretches across continents. Campers stay in touch with counselors overseas, families welcome international staff into their homes, and lifelong friendships are formed. When we say - staff make camp friends forever - we truly mean it, even when they live halfway around the world.

When I interview staff, I often share the story of my friend Nadia who is from Ballarat, Australia. Camp doesn’t just give you connections from across oceans; it also creates friendships you might never expect. Nadia and I are almost 20 years apart in age, yet at camp we are peers, working side by side with ease, enjoyment, and respect. Camp is a place where you can truly be yourself, feel valued, and let your strengths shine (and like me, camp might surprise you with cross-generational friendships! And because of the time we have spent together, I have also been told I pronounce Melbourne correctly!) Summer camp bridges age, culture, and background, bringing us together as one camp family. That’s why international staff so naturally become part of our community - camp brings out the best in all of us.

The impact of international staff doesn’t end when summer does. Staff return home with stories of American camp culture and bring back new ideas, perspectives, and friendships. Meanwhile, our campers carry forward an appreciation for diversity, global awareness, and the understanding that kindness and community extend beyond borders. At its heart, camp has always been about connection, with nature, with each other, and with ourselves. Welcoming international staff each summer reminds us that those connections have no limits.

Lots of Camp Love,

Stacey

Stacey spent over 20 years as an educator and coach at every school level. A former three-sport college athlete, she also earned numerous degrees in education and counseling. Her camp director journey began as a Unit Leader at Camp Manitou and evolved into helping with the creation of Camp Somerset in leadership roles, including Head of Athletics, before becoming Associate Director. She is looking forward to bringing this experience she shares with Lauren, as a Director at Camp Eastwood.