How to Write a Eulogy for Your Camp Counselor - Eulogy Examples & Tips

Writing a eulogy for a camp counselor feels both personal and a little strange. A counselor was not a parent but they mattered in a specific way. They taught you to paddle, to sing off key around a campfire, to stand up to a bully, or to try something new. This guide gives a clear plan, real examples you can adapt, and delivery tips that actually work. We explain any camp terms you might not know and offer templates so you can write something real without overthinking it.

Who this guide is for

This article is for anyone who has been asked to speak about a camp counselor at a funeral, memorial, celebration of life, or a digital gathering. Maybe you were their camper, a fellow staff member, a parent, or a friend. Maybe your connection was short and intense, like a single summer, or long and ongoing, like seasonal summers across a decade. There are sample scripts for tender, funny, short, and serious needs.

What is a eulogy for a camp counselor

A eulogy is a short speech that honors someone who has died. For a camp counselor it usually focuses on the ways they showed up at camp. This is different from an obituary which lists facts and service details. A counselor eulogy is personal. It is about the memories campers and staff carry, the traditions they started, and the small lessons they taught that lasted long after the session ended.

Terms you might see

• Cabin The small dorm like room or building where campers sleep. It is often where friendships and inside jokes form.
• CIT Stands for counselor in training. This is a program for older campers who are learning to be counselors. It is like an internship at camp.
• Bunkmate A person who slept in the same cabin or bunk. Bunkmates often share the funniest and most embarrassing memories.
• Flag ceremony A daily ritual at many camps where everyone gathers for announcements, songs, and recognition of community values.
• Session The length of time a group spends at camp such as one week or four weeks. People often say I met them in session two meaning a specific time block.
• Order of service The schedule for the funeral or memorial listing readings, music, and speakers. Think of it as the event program.

How long should a eulogy be

Short and focused is best. Aim for three to seven minutes. That usually translates to 350 to 900 spoken words. A concise story about the counselor s personality or one scene that captures them will be more memorable than a long list of contributions.

Before you start writing

Preparation helps your words land. Use this quick plan.

• Check time and format Confirm how long you are expected to speak, whether there will be a microphone, and if the speech will be recorded or livestreamed.
• Decide the tone Do you want to be solemn, celebratory, playful, or a mix? Camp memories often have humor built in so a little lightness can be healing. If unsure, ask a close family member what would honor the counselor best.
• Collect memories Ask fellow campers or former staff for one memory each. One good memory from several people adds texture without being overwhelming.
• Pick two or three focus points Choose a small number of things you want people to remember. For example kindness, courage, and a signature camp moment like a favorite song or prank.

Structure that works

Use a simple shape to keep your audience with you.

• Opening Say who you are and how you knew the counselor. One sentence sets context.
• Camp sketch Give a brief overview of when and where you met them and what role they had. Keep it short.
• One or two stories Tell short, specific anecdotes that reveal character. Pick scenes with sensory detail a reader can picture.
• Lessons and traits Summarize what they taught or what you will remember about them.
• Closing Offer a short goodbye line, a favorite quote, a camp song lyric, or invite everyone to share a memory after the service.

Choosing the right opening

Keep the opening plain and warm. Say your name, your connection, and your reason for speaking.

Opening examples

• Hi, I m Jordan and I was a camper in cabin four during summer of 2014. I m honored to say a few words about Alex who taught me to paddle and to try new things.
• Hello everyone. I m Maya, a former staff member. I worked with Chris on the ropes course and I can t imagine a better person to trust while you are five stories up.
• Good afternoon. I m Sam and I was a CIT under Morgan. They were the first adult to take us seriously while still letting us get messy and loud.

How to write the camp sketch

The camp sketch is not a bio. Stick to the details that matter for your story. Think about roles like counselor, activity specialist, or program director. Mention session names if they were meaningful. Use concrete images rather than long lists of jobs.

Camp sketch templates

• [Name] was a counselor at [camp name] for [number] summers. They ran the waterfront and led canoe trips. They saw the best in campers who were nervous about water and cheered for every small win.
• [Name] showed up every morning for flag ceremony with a goofy hat and an earnest smile. They could make a messy cabin feel like a second home in one afternoon.

Anecdotes that land

Stories stick more than statements. Keep them short, sensory, and specific. A good anecdote has a setup, an action, and a line that explains why it mattered.

Short anecdote examples

• On our first canoe trip the wind turned on us and we all panicked. Taylor calmly handed us each a dry bag with a snack and a silly note. We were soaked but we laughed the whole way back. That calm made every scary thing feel surmountable.
• During talent night, Jordan got up and performed a terrible impression of the camp director on purpose so that the whole room could relax and feel allowed to be imperfect.
• Morgan made a ritual of giving everyone a tiny badge at the end of session. The badge meant you survived the summer and you belonged. I still wear mine on hard days.

Addressing complex or brief relationships

Camp relationships are often intense and short. You can honor someone you met for one summer with honesty and gratitude. If your relationship was complicated, speak truth without blame. Focus on a true positive or on what you learned even if it was difficult.

Examples for complicated or brief relationships

• I only had two weeks with Riley but those two weeks changed how I felt about taking risks. They believed in me in a way few adults did. For that I am grateful.
• Our relationship was not perfect. They could be stern. Still, they pushed me when I needed pushing and later sent a message that mattered. That matters to me now.

Using humor the right way

Camp memories are full of humor. Use small, earned jokes that lift the mood. Avoid anything that might embarrass campers or the counselor s family. A light joke followed by a sincere line works well.

Safe humor examples

• They ran the best spit take award ceremony. They believed in dramatic snack reactions and they always lost the trophy to a marshmallow.
• If you ever saw them at the dining hall you knew the menu had been criticized like an art critique and then secretly enjoyed.

What to avoid

• Avoid listing every task the counselor performed without stories. People want memories not resumes.
• Avoid private or hurtful stories. The goal is to honor and to remember not to rehash old conflicts publically.
• Avoid long readings of camp policies or program guides. Keep it human.
• Avoid trying to be too clever. Plain, honest language is usually better.

Full eulogy examples you can adapt

These examples follow the structure above. Replace bracketed text with your details and read them out loud before you speak.

Example 1: Camper who was deeply influenced by their counselor, 3 to 4 minute version

Hi, I m Leah and I was in cabin seven with Sam in summer 2016. Sam ran the waterfront and he had a way of explaining things so that they felt less scary. I remember the first morning swim test when my legs felt like jelly and the counselor beside me did not rush me. He said we would try slow and celebrate every little stroke. That afternoon I made it across the lake and I felt proud in a new way.

Sam had a small ritual of telling a ridiculous fact during meals. One day he told us that ducks have waterproof feathers and then proceeded to give us every duck fact he knew for ten minutes. We were laughing and learning at the same time. He treated curiosity like a sacred thing.

He taught me to try again and to be patient with myself. Years later I still think about the way he calmed the water and me. Thank you for being here and for holding his memory with us.

Example 2: Short, funny, and warm, under two minutes

Hello, I m Ben and I worked with Alex on the ropes course. Alex could be terrifyingly brave and terribly clumsy at the same time. He once climbed the course to rescue a kite only to get tangled and require a rescue by the very person he had asked to watch the ground. He laughed about it later and insisted he had heroically tried. That laugh is the thing I will miss most. Thank you for letting us remember him today.

Example 3: Staff member remembering a mentor style counselor

Good afternoon. I m Priya and I was a junior counselor under Morgan for three summers. Morgan taught me the unglamorous work of showing up. They were the first to stay late to fix a malfunctioning canoe and the first to bring a sick camper ginger ale at midnight. They taught me that small acts of attention are really how you lead a place like camp. I learned to listen before I fixed things and to assume good intention. Morgan held us accountable with kindness and they made camp feel safer than it needed to be. I am a better leader because of them.

Fill in the blank templates

Use these templates as a starting point. Fill in the blanks and then make the language sound like you.

Template A: Classic short

My name is [Your Name]. I was in cabin [number] during [year or session]. [Counselor s name] ran [activity] and always [small habit]. One memory that shows who they were is [brief story]. They taught me [lesson]. We will miss [what people will miss]. Thank you for being here and for holding their memory.

Template B: For staff to staff

Hi, I m [Your Name], a fellow staff member. [Counselor s name] was the person you wanted with you when a camper needed calm or when a late night crisis appeared. I remember [brief story about a late night or logistical moment]. They taught me [trait]. I am grateful for their mentorship and for every stubborn s'more they rescued from the fire pit.

Template C: Short playful with sincerity

Hello, I m [Your Name]. If you ever saw [Counselor s name] at flag you knew something good was about to happen. They loved [quirky habit] and they had a way of making us all feel seen. My favorite memory is [funny short story]. I will miss their laugh and the ridiculous camp songs they forced us to learn. Thank you for being here.

Practical delivery tips

Speaking while grieving or even just feeling emotional can be hard. These small tactics help.

• Print your speech Use a large font and leave space between lines. Printed paper is easier to handle than a small phone screen.
• Use index cards One or two lines per card keeps you moving and reduces the chance of losing your place.
• Mark pauses Put a bracket or the word pause where you want to breathe or where you expect laughter. Pauses give you time to collect yourself.
• Practice out loud Read it to a friend or record yourself. Practice helps your throat know what to expect and makes your words more natural.
• Bring backup Have a family member or friend ready to finish a line if you need them to. Let them know a cue like touching their arm.
• Mic technique If there is a microphone, speak slowly and project to the back row. If there is no mic, imagine you are talking to the person in the last row and aim for clarity over speed.
• Hydrate Keep a small glass of water nearby. A dry throat will make you rush and that makes breathing harder.

When you think you will cry

Tears are normal. Pause, breathe, take a sip of water, and look briefly at your notes. If you need a moment it is okay to take it. The audience will wait. If you cannot continue, hand the notes to a prearranged friend to finish. Saying fewer words slowly is often more powerful than trying to rush through everything.

Including songs, traditions, and camp rituals

Camp rituals can be a beautiful way to honor a counselor. A short song, ringing of a bell, lighting a lantern, or showing a badge can be meaningful. Keep these short and check with the family or officiant. If you include a camp song, try a two line chorus rather than a long performance. Explain the ritual briefly for people who did not attend camp.

Logistics and who to tell

• Tell the funeral director or event organizer if you will need audio or visual equipment for photos from camp.
• Confirm where you will stand and how long you may speak.
• If you plan to share photos or a short video montage, coordinate timing so the service flows smoothly.

After the eulogy

People will likely want a copy. Offer to email it to the camp community or to the family. Some families like to include the text in a memory book or to post a recording privately. If you record, check with the family before posting online. They may prefer privacy or may want the clip to be widely shared as a memorial.

Glossary of useful camp terms and acronyms

• Cabin The sleeping quarters for campers and counselors.
• CIT Counselor in training. A program for older campers learning leadership and counseling skills.
• Bunkmate The person who slept in the same bunk or cabin.
• Flag ceremony A daily meeting for announcements, songs, and community care.
• Session A block of time at camp such as one week or four weeks.
• Ropes course A team building activity usually made of elevated elements where counselors belay campers for safety.

Frequently asked questions

How long should my eulogy be for a camp counselor

Three to seven minutes is a good target. If many people are speaking, aim shorter so the event stays on schedule. A focused story about how the counselor mattered will have more impact than a long list of achievements.

What if I only knew the counselor for one summer

That is enough. Short intense connections at camp are real and meaningful. Share one honest memory and what that memory taught you. Saying I only had one summer with them but it changed how I feel about myself is powerful and true.

Can I include camp songs or rituals

Yes. Include a short song lyric or a brief ritual. Keep it concise and check with the family or officiant first. Explain the meaning for people who did not attend camp so they can understand why it matters.

What do I do if I get emotional while speaking

Pause and breathe. Look at your notes and continue when you can. If you need help, arrange beforehand for someone to finish a line. The audience expects emotion and will be patient.

Should I use humor in a counselor eulogy

Small, earned humor is usually welcome. Camp memories often include funny mishaps. Follow a joke with a sincere line to keep the tone balanced. Avoid anything that might embarrass the counselor s family or single out a camper in a hurtful way.

Can I read from my phone

Yes but only if the screen is large enough and your phone will not ring. Many people prefer printed pages or index cards because they are easier to handle when emotions run high.

Who should I check with before including camp photos or videos

Check with the family and the event organizer. Also be mindful of camper privacy. If kids appear in the footage, get permission from their parents before sharing publicly.