Grand adventure leads to rewarding career for OHIO graduate

Megan Albers talks to an OHIO student at the Career Fair in the Baker University Center Ballroom

After graduating from 51�� in 2013 with a degree in early childhood education, Megan Albers was searching for her next step.

Instead of heading straight into the classroom, she took a leap into what she describes as a “grand adventure.” That adventure began at Camp Laurel in Maine and has since become the center of her professional and personal life.

“I was inspired to work at Camp Laurel the summer after graduating college. I wanted a grand adventure and wanted to make money while seeing a whole new part of the United States. I grew up watching ‘The Parent Trap,’ and the idea of working at an overnight summer camp always intrigued me. I had no idea it would become such a huge part of my life,” she said.

From the very first bus ride to camp, she knew something was different.

“What stood out to me immediately was how different everyone was – counselors, campers, administrators. Everyone had led such a different life than me and seemed to be living life in such different ways,” Albers said. “On that first bus ride from the airport to camp, I met counselors from Scotland, California, Chicago, and Australia. That first hour of meeting people was one of the most exciting of my life. I felt like I was coming alive for the first time.”

Life at camp was busy, fulfilling, and transformative.

“A typical day at camp is like a week in the real world. You laugh, you cry, you laugh until you cry, you work very hard. Each day is so full,” she explained. From waking campers up for breakfast, to leading program activities like soccer, sailing or ceramics, to evening programs and late-night cabin talks, her days were packed with moments of impact.

She credits camp with giving her invaluable skills.

“I gained so many skills at Laurel,” Albers said. “I gained a new level of flexibility and adaptability as it comes to working with others. I learned to communicate clearly and often, with people much different than me. I learned to sail, climb, zipline, ride a horse, throw on a ceramics wheel, and so much more. You will gain so many skills just by being involved at camp. It is the place I have learned the most out of all my years at school.”

That experience, among many others, shifted her career goals.

“From working at Laurel, I realized there were many directions that working with kids could take me. I realized I valued an informal education setting, over working in a school,” she said. “I value teaching kids' autonomy and resiliency through play. I value giving them the space to decide what they like and how they want to spend parts of each day. I value working outdoors.”

Her path eventually led back to Camp Laurel full-time.

“Eventually, I approached my director about a full-time position with Camp Laurel, and he offered the program director position. He saw something in my work ethic and created an opportunity for me,” Albers said. “It has been a nontraditional path, but one that has been an incredible journey. Each day is different, and I learn so much! In the future, I hope to own and operate my own camp.”

Her advice for students considering a similar opportunity is simple but heartfelt: “It is VERY tough work. You have to love what you're doing and really believe in the mission. I suggest having meaningful conversations with the people hiring you and listening for genuine and thoughtful answers. You want people who aren't robotic in their answers, who tell a little of their story, and who buy in… Don’t be afraid if your parents aren't immediately supportive… Get involved in organizations and interview lots of places! Don’t wait to do this – get involved now!”

What began as one summer of exploration after graduation became a lifelong passion. For Albers, Camp Laurel wasn’t just a job—it was the place that changed everything.

Camp Laurel is hiring camp counselors for summer 2026. To learn more about Camp Laurel and working as a counselor, visit or the

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