Is it wrong to fall in love in camp? One could hardly call such a great feeling and flutter of the emotions sinful. The problem is, how do two people handle it?

The problem is so real and so very difficult, that in our many years of camping, we have witnessed only a handful of couples who could really handle the whole problem well. How did they do it?

They set their priority on their campers. When it was time to be with the campers, they were with their campers.   They earnestly sought self-control to control their feelings and the temptation to spend time together, instead of in their duty to children.   Maintain a no-physical-contact policy. When the relationship goes into holding hands, kissing, and embracing, the emotions in inner drives become jet engines too big to keep under real control.   Agree together how to do it. Set mutual policies.

More often than not this situation is not ideal. The couple are like two magnets. Somehow they always manage to be together.

The Director is quite suspicious that someplace a duty is not being performed. When a Director sees a guy counselor and girl counselor at the drinking fountain and no campers around, he knows 16 children are being short-changed, and the potential for trouble in those cabins is very high.

Why are you at camp? To find a girl or boy friend? If a romantic relationship is your priority, then it's time to pack your bags. In fact, don't come to camp at all!

Campers did not come to camp to see the staff pair off. Parents did not pay hard-earned money to send their children so the staff can find their "someone special."

The camp staff and your fellow Counselors did not spend hours of time and assume great responsibility so our counselors could spend most of the day chatting with each other, holding hands and thinking through the potentials of a new love life!

What to do if a camper has a crush on you

A word should be added about another love affair in camp-the camper who flips over a counselor or staff person. Such an occurrence can have a large measure of humor in it for the staff. But be careful of the child's very real feelings and needs.

As with any behavior, we must ask, "Why?" We can only guess that perhaps this child is starved for love, or perhaps she has been accelerated in sexual interests by T.V., love stories and older sisters.

Whatever the reason, we want the best for that child, and the path he or she has taken for fulfilling their need is NOT the best. In short, don't encourage it. Be polite and kind and gentle, but do no approve of the crush. Do NOT gossip about the crush with others-that can be cruelest cut of all. Having strong feelings for a Counselor should NOT make someone the butt of jokes and teasing.