Additional Coverage:
- Working at a summer camp as a media director was the reset I needed after getting laid off from a job I loved (businessinsider.com)
From Newsroom to Nature: How a Summer Camp Gig Became a Career Reset
Last summer, I found myself at a crossroads. After years building a dream career in entertainment media in Los Angeles, I was unexpectedly laid off.
The news hit hard, leaving me unsure of my next move. Then, a friend’s social media post about a summer job at a sleepaway camp outside of New York City caught my eye.
Intrigued, I applied, never imagining how transformative the experience would be.
Just a year earlier, my days were filled with the fast-paced energy of newsrooms, red carpets, and celebrity interviews. The sudden shift to the serene environment of a summer camp was jarring, yet exactly what I needed.
As the camp’s media director, I traded breaking news for capturing campers’ smiles and laughter, documenting their summer adventures for families and social media. I even taught a content creation class to a group of enthusiastic 9- and 12-year-olds, rekindling my own love for storytelling.
Camp life itself was an adjustment. Trading my city apartment for a bunk bed in a cabin with 20 other staff members took some getting used to.
But the shared living space fostered a sense of community and camaraderie I hadn’t experienced since my own childhood camp days. Late-night talks, dance rehearsals, and the constant buzz of camp activities created a unique and fulfilling experience.
The natural beauty of the camp’s surroundings – the chirping birds, fresh air, towering trees, and tranquil lake – provided a much-needed escape from the pressures of city life. This time away allowed me to reconnect with myself, rediscover my passions, and refocus my career goals.
A particularly touching moment came during a closing ceremony when a camper expressed his gratitude for my work capturing his summer memories. It was a powerful reminder of the impact I could have, even in a completely different setting.
While summer camp wasn’t on my career radar, it turned out to be the perfect reset. I left feeling refreshed, inspired, and ready to embrace new challenges.
Since then, I’ve been exploring freelance writing, voice acting, public relations, and volunteer work. My current focus is building a client base as a media consultant and developing programs to support young people entering the field.
I’m excited to see what the future holds.