It has been said that people who play together stay together.

Here at Camp Joy we intentionally set aside times to enjoy each other’s company and play as a team.  I know what you’re thinking.  “You work at Camp Joy, don’t you get to play every day?”  The answer is yes and no.  While we do have a lot of fun leading a trail group, facilitating a corporate program, connecting with clients or working with campers, we don’t always get the chance to have fun as a staff.

So, what to do when work starts feeling like a grind?  You need to find fun when you can.  Work can be more if you make it more.  I see us at Camp Joy making work fun in a variety of ways.

Like the Office on NBC, we like to play jokes on each other.  Our Leadership & Development director found his office filled with open umbrellas when it was raining outside.  My office was turned into a “pond” with a kiddie pool filled with gold fish.  Our Executive Director found most of her wardrobe tacked onto the group wall for all of camp to see one morning.  Through this joking we build community, inspire creativity, and bring laughter to our staff.

Camp Joy also finds time to have fun days for the staff.  We have Minute to Win It competitions, an annual corn hole tournament, and beginning this year a disc golf tournament, with some “fabulous” prizes.  We operate under a work hard – play hard philosophy.

What I am getting at is that you can make your own fun, wherever you find yourself.  I am not advocating that you prank your co-workers (remember you have to know your audience).  But, having some fun at school, home or work can encourage the heart of people around you.  Play is a way for people to develop life skills, build a community, and be a much needed stress reliever.

As a wise man once said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”