As we prepare for camps my staff and I at Pingo Space have been reminiscing over past summers both as children attending and as councilors leading. As we swapped stories an interesting pattern emerged. The same archetypal characters kept appearing in our tales. We have narrowed it down to 12 categories of camper…see if you can spot yourself in our Camp Yearbook!
The Enthusiast
Catch Phrase: “Camp is the BEST!”
Arts and crafts, ‘smores on a campfire or digging a latrine. No matter what the activity they are all in! Camp is the best thing ever and they want you to be as excited as they are.
Counselor in Training
Catch Phrase: “Can we please organize this fun?”
Cousin to the enthusiast this natural-born little leader LOVES camp. But the rules are there for a reason and everyone will have a lot more fun if they would just follow the carefully planned itinerary that this CIT spent all school year crafting.
The Uber Competitor
Catch Phrase: “Go, Go, Go! We got this!”
Every activity is an Olympic sport. Whether it’s the field day tug-o-war competition, an impromptu eating contest in the cafeteria, or making friendship bracelets in arts and crafts they will make sure their team is the best at it…or else!
The Informer
Catch Phrase: “Guess what?”
We don’t know where this kid gets their information but they know everything about everyone and they are usually dead-on accurate. It’s a little creepy but you gotta’ respect it, especially since one day they will probably work for their country’s secret service agency.
The Snack Czar
Catch Phrase: “Let’s make a deal.”
Whether you are craving white rabbit candy or flaming hot Cheetos they have or can get the contraband you are looking for. They know the street value and are happy to supply you at a very reasonable markup.
The Over Packer
Catch Phrase: “But what if…”
All you really need at camp is a week’s worth of clean clothes and a toothbrush. But no one told this camper that. They brought everything in their bedroom including a ball gown, 16 stuffed animals, a month’s supply of cracker jacks, and a solar-powered set of hair curlers. Because what if we suddenly decide to throw an end of the camp ball and while we are setting up there is a hurricane and we need to hide in a cave and it gets cold and we don’t have a coat so we need to use the stuffed animals to stay warm and then we get hungry and …..
The Prankster
Catch Phrase: “It was just a joke!”
Cellophane on the toilet seats, water balloons under pillows, and salt in the sugar bowl. This kid knows all the classics and has spent the entire school year coming up with new material. They are hilarious…at least in their own minds.
The Kid Who Hates Nature
Catch Phrase: “I hate this stinking fresh air!”
This child has evolved to love modern society and sees no point in living the way their ancestors did, but their parents made them come. They are counting the days to air conditioning, a gaming system, and food delivery services.
The Kid Nature Hates
Catch Phrase: “Is it ok?”
This poor kid came with six gallon-sized bags of clearly labeled medication including an epi-pen and emergency sublingual Benadryl gel. The councilors watch them like a hawk because they are allergic to bees, pollen, gluten, eggs, dairy, tree nuts, and basically anything that grows. Ironically, they are also often also an Enthusiast eager to try everything so long as it is not on the list of things that might cause them to develop hives.
The Theatre Kid
Catch Phrase: “You know what would make this even better? Choreography!”
This camper knows that all the world is a stage and if they can sing about it, dance to it, or turn it into a set-piece they will. Their flair for the dramatic can turn into high tragedy quickly if not indulged so this is the kid to tap to lead campfire entertainment.
The Naturalist
Catch Phrase: “I’m getting back to nature!”
This is the kid who insists that swimming in the lake counts as a bath. They shun soap, deodorant, and toothpaste and seem to enjoy the extra space the other campers give them. Oddly this usually only manifests at camp, the rest of the year they are happy to lather up and rinse off before heading to school.
The Serial Bestie
Catch Phrase: “But we NEED to be together, they are my BFF”
This social butterfly loves everyone, for about 24 hours. Unfortunately, they are fickle in their affections and they are a little annoyed that you can’t keep up with their rotating little black book of friends.
Me: “But I thought Casey was your BFF?”
Serial Bestie: Insert epic eye roll. “That was Yesterday!”
Any Archetypes we missed? Let us know in the comments.
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Images: Canva
