Inside Look — Lessons Learned Being a Junior Counselor at Powder Term

Hello!

My name is Cameron Howe and I had the wonderful opportunity to be a Junior Counselor at Powder Term 2023. Essentially, I was a counselor in training and took on whatever tasks the staff needed my help with. Having gone to two terms prior, as a student, (Powder Term 2022 and Surf Term 2022), I knew the program structure quite well. However, being a Jr. Counselor was a completely different experience. 

I held several different jobs and learned many valuable lessons throughout the 5-week experience. Some of my favorite responsibilities included assistant ski coaching and planning aspects of the academic program such as the leadership course, book club, and various projects focused on ski-related topics. 

Skiing brought me so much joy as a student, so being able to help create these opportunities for others brought me so much satisfaction. I was able to experience that joy all over again but through an entirely different lens. 

What’s more, this leadership opportunity gave me a chance to see what these jobs might be like as an occupation later in life. I found that coaching skiing blends many of my passions and might be a potential career path down the road. Coaching aside, there were many smaller tasks I appreciated just as much. Things like setting breakfast out every morning, attending staff meetings, and even observing the rest of the staff and how they operate. The morning tasks, in particular, forced me to create the habit of waking up early and practicing self-discipline; a habit I continue to embrace beyond Powder Term. Additionally, moments like these created wonderful social opportunities between myself and my fellow Jr. Counselor, other staff members and the students.

I learned many valuable lessons over the course of the term, yet one of my most memorable ones was the ability to communicate with others more effectively. As someone who has always been more on the socially timid side, Powder Term 2023 really brought me out of my shell. At times I was leading a group discussion and needed to be very direct in what I was saying, then there were times it was important for me to set the tone with more of a fun and lighthearted demeanor. Growing in my own self-confidence allowed me to shift my approach to whatever was needed at the moment. 

Throughout all of this, the staff was there to support me and encourage me to grow in new areas. If there was ever a time my fellow Jr. Counselor and I felt stuck, they would create a plan to help us reach our goals. For instance, I asked if I could be given more opportunities to expand my photography skills. The next morning I was provided with a schedule and game plan that mapped out ways for me to pursue action photography on the mountain. The Powder Term staff was extremely supportive and I always felt I could talk to them about anything. 

If you’re reading this wondering if you should attend Powder Term (whether that’s as a student or in a leadership position), my advice to you is simple: Go for it. Powder Term and Surf Term have changed my life and who I am today. These experiences have helped me look at nature with more awe and become grateful for the life I am living. From catching a great wave on the beautiful beach of Nosara, Costa Rica to seeing fresh powder fall from the sky before a ski session in the San Juan Mountains, the little moments in life are the ones that I have found make me the happiest. All thanks to the Terms, I probably would have never discovered this without taking a chance and getting out of my comfort zone. I’m forever grateful to have been the first Jr. Counselor. And I would gladly do it all over again if provided the opportunity. 

—Cameron H. (Junior Counselor at Powder Term 2023)

You might also be interested to read parent reflections about “How Discover Term Changed My Child’s Life”