Am I being a mean camp counselor?

Question

I think spiders are pretty cool, so maybe I'm not sensitive enough to people who are really afraid of them. The "spiders" normally are daddy long legs (who for the purpose of this conversation count as spiders) or ittle ones. It'd be different with a wolf spider. Conversations with my campers go something like this:

Her :I can't go in my tent, there's a spider!

Me: Oh well, guess you'll have to sleep outside.

or

her: there's a spider, can you get it out?!?!

Me: no.

I mean, come on, we share the woods with spiders. they'll just chill and do their thing and you'll see them around no matter what if you're outside. During the day I try to get as many people playing (respectfully) with bugs as possible so they wig out as little as possible later. I feel that if I don't let girl and spider duke it out personally, I'll be on patrol extracting all sorts of bugs all night.

Answer 1

I'm terrified of spiders. You're being mean :(

EDIT: The reason i'm scared of spiders is that I just plain don't like bugs crawling all over me, particularly ones that can be poisonous. Even if they can't technically bite you, the thought of one crawling into my mouth while i'm sleeping is enough to make me use a grenade launcher to clear the room of spiders before I go to sleep.

Answer 2

You are being pretty mean and rude. There are lots of people who are afraid of spiders. I'm afraid too. If the girl asked you if you could get it out, you should have gotton it out. I don't mean kill it, just take it safely outside. The kids came to the camp to enjoy themselfes not to be disturbed by spiders.

Answer 3

I don't think it's being mean at all. If you go to camp, you should expect there to be a ton of spiders and other things in the tent that your sleeping in.

Answer 4

I'm personally not afraid of spiders. However, if I sent my kid to camp and he was terrified of spiders and he asked you, being the person responsible for my child, to remove the spider and you told him to sleep outside, I would likely be pissed. So yes, I think you are being mean.

Answer 5

Just get the spider out, without hurting it.

Answer 6

kinda i mean would it do you any harm to get the spider outt of their tents? some people jus dislike spiders

Answer 7

Yes you are being kind of mean. I mean how would you feel if someone did something like that with something that scares you.

Answer 8

Some people has phobias about spiders, and other bugs; I understand your point of view, but I understand theirs too,so maybe with the couple who came to you and said there's a spider in our tent please remove it, and you said no,they may have went into shock ,over this spider incident, and it may even stop them from being able to enjoy the outdoors anymore, does that make sense to you?Maybe some of your campers could get rid of the spider while some of your campers couldn't, then what?I also understand you in the daytime explaining about the spiders, but try to understand your campers fear of them as well.BUT I would first of going and checking out all tents(just in case one wandered in) to remove it before all started to retire for the night.Wouldn't that sound better?Just remember to treat these campers the way you would want to be treated (if you had a phobia of spiders)maybe after you said no, maybe they are afraid to ask you again knowing full well, what you are going to say!Maybe if you said lets go see,you might gain more respect from your campers if they know you care about their fears, and well- being.

Answer 9

god just get te stupid spider out so she will shut upp if you think they are cool then u will have no prob picking it up and taking it outt of the tent

Answer 10

it is a bit mean. since i was little i was terrified by spiders. i start hyper ventilating. idk why i'm scared of them but i am and i would be very pissed if my daughter was and a couselor didn't respect that. i mean if a kids afraid of water are you gonna push them in a pond and say oh well? everyone has different fears you have to respect that.

Answer 11

what if she dies do you want that on ur conscience

Answer 12

I am personally terrified of spiders. I literally almost start hyperventalating when I see one or one is in the same room as me or on me. They REALLY freak me out.

That said, well I don't think you're being mean. You're right when you say that if you help once, you'll be stuck doing it for everyone all night.

Most spiders are harmless, and we need to get over our fears sometime. By not giving in and squashing the bug you are helping the girl to grow and get over it. She needs to get rid of the bugs herself, in my opinion.

But if it looks like this,http://www.giantspiders.com/ , well, maybe you should consider helping out :)

Answer 13

well it depends how old the campers are.

if they are under 12, then maybe it's pretty mean.

if they are over 12, then well its still kinda mean. some people are just terrified of them. spiders are ususally ranked as a top fear in most people even adults. i hate all bugs. so if there was one in my tent, i would wait for someone to get it out before i went in.

next time, maybe you can tell one of the campers to try to conquer their fears and take out the spiderse themselves, so that way they wont have to bother you anymore.

Answer 14

your lucky that you aren't afraid of bugs as most of us are afraid of them for various reasons, so I dont really think your being mean but you could get that bug out of that tent though

Answer 15

How old are the campers?

Some people are just afraid of spiders. I think you are being mean to not get them out. I'm terrified of worms. It's an uncontrollable fear I have. There's no way I'd be able to get it out myself. Some people are like that with spiders. Especially if it's younger kids.

Answer 16

yes I hate spiders no matter how big or small or even harmless they give me the freaks if my hubby wont get it i wont go into that room until he comes out with the spider