Things I Learned From Working In Advertising That Made Me A Better Camp Counselor

This summer I went from working as an Account Manager at an advertising agency to teaching kids art at a summer camp. It's all about those transferrable skills.

Patience with new 'clients' ideas

Wow camper Jimmy that looks EXACTLY like puff the magic dragon, and definitely not like at turd, at all, *ahem*.

Finding creative solutions when things don't go to plan

When origami day turned into a full blown paper aeroplane fight that was totally OK. The little 'clients' were happy and the creative idea hadn't been compromised. So we rolled with that idea instead.

Negotiation skills

"Kid you want more popsicle sticks? It's time to clean up first!"

Selling in concepts

12 year old boys may not like the idea of 'bunting' but ancient British tribal flag art sounds cool right?

The ability to stand my ground

When you've worked through creative differences with creatives and clients then when an 11 year old gives you sass you really just don't take any sh*t.

Project management

Just saying, this model village didn't build itself...

The ability to keep calm when it gets REALLY busy

40 kids stuck in the craft shop during a lightening storm. No problemo my friend. Keep the music volume up and the temper tantrums down. Free painting!

The art of collaboration

Via technowonderful.com

Nature-crafts anyone? Let's use our creative skills to make the worlds coolest rat maze.

Nature-crafts overnight....

Astronomy and water colours, what's not to love?

Barn-crafts...

So we hosted a retirement party for one of our horses. Bojangles inspired much creativity....

The kids did pretty well

#Bojangles

I was blown away..

Great copywriting really

My personal favourite. Great work Drew, you go!

But really I learned that most kids in the craft shop were destined to be mini creatives after all....

#longlivepuff