Scenarios
You are about to go to the Swim Dock with your campers for the first All-Camp Swim. One of your campers gets VERY upset and does not want to go. What are some possible explanations for this behaviour.
Scared of water/swimming, failed swim safety last year, doesn't want to do swim safety, doesn't want to wear a bathing suit in front of friends, tired, hungry etc.
What are the 5 Camper Development Outcomes
Compassion, Connection, Confidence, Independence and Resilience
Name 4 things a camper can carry in their invisible backpack
Examples: Diagnosis, history of bullying, mental health, parental issues, body image issues, pain, medication side effects etcetera (There are so many things!)
What are our 5 values here at Brigadoon?
Our People, Camper's First, Intentional, Innovative, Fun!
Name a way you can use your off to perform self-care
Lots of ways! (Reading, shower, nap, go for a walk, hang out with friends)
A camper comes to you and says that they can't sleep because they are missing home. How would you support this camper?
VIP, don't promise phone calls home, offer to write letter for them, coping boxes, incorporating elements of the home routine, if getting out of hand (inconsolable, up for a long amount of time) you can call cabin lead, redirect and distract.
What does DLP mean? Give an example of a phrase!
Describe, Label, Praise
What does VIP stand for? How would you use this?
Validate: Validating a Camper's feelings
Investigate: Try to figure out how they usually deal with these feelings or learning more about the situation
Problem Solve: Creating a solution with the camper to help them feel better!
What is BOD? Give an example of when you would use it.
The Benefit of the Doubt
What is each line on the radio for?
Line 1: General
Line 2: Private Convo
Line 3: Med Staff
Line 4: Housekeeping / Maintenance
A camper is put in a different pursuit than all of their friends and wants to switch. How would you support this camper?
VIP! It makes sense you want to be with friends, look at the positives! New friends, they really wanted to do this activity, "give it a try first". This is a great way for campers to build independence (DLP! Praise it!)
What are things that campers can teach us, and what makes kids different from adults?
Examples: Kids are honest, born without bias and prejudice, have energy that effects everyone, more curious, think more simply, more openminded, finding joy in the ordinary, love unconditionally.
What does PRI stand for? What is an example of each letter?
Prevention Example: Knowing that two campers do not get along, and separating them in a program before it starts (like pre selecting partners)
Redirection Example: Campers are running around in the dining hall after they've eaten, getting them to run back to the cabin after the meal instead.
Intervention Example: Removing a camper from the situation, give them time to calm down, VIP, bring them back to the group, follow up later
What is the Door Philosophy?
Leaving a space better than how you found it, being literally (cleaning up stuff) or figuratively (bringing the good vibes!).
What are the 4 kinds of paperwork counsellors complete for each camper on a weekly basis?
Camper Report, PPA, Holiday Card, Phone Call Home
Two campers have had an argument and you've discussed the situation with them both separately. Neither are ready to make up with the other at the moment, which conflict resolution rule would you use in this situation?
The 24 hour rule, if you don't deal with it in 24 hours you have to let it go, either deal with the conflict now and talk it out or move past it!
What are the three ways we add positivity to the camp environment?
Look for the good, Ask for the good, Create the good.
1: No such thing as a bad kid
2: Every behaviour meets a need
3: We make behaviour management decisions based on how we want campers to feel and grow
4: The more emphasis we put on the good, the less we have to put on the bad!
What are ways that you can embrace your challenge zone with your campers during your service weeks?
Assisting them in campfire contribution, doing things outside of your comfort zone to show campers that it can be done! Verbalizing that you are in your challenge zone, emphasize that everyone's challenge zones are different!
How can you help the programmers in your program blocks?
Repeating instructions, being the silliest person in the room, handing out materials, bringing energy and excitement to the program, making sure your kids are dressed properly/have everything they need before they go.
During ZAP, you hear thumping coming from your cabin room. When you open the door, you see your kids hanging off the top bunk, jumping from the top of ladder to the floor, and one kid is telling another to jump from bunk to bunk. What would you do?
1: Get the kids attention in a firm but not yelling manner.
2: Explain why they can't be doing that: Someone will get hurt and that could mean they miss out on some parts of camp! Not fun!
3: REDIRECT! Suggest jumping off the dock later, or maybe go for a race around flagpole to get some energy out.
What does the acronym HALT stand for? Why do we use it for campers?
Hungry, Angry, Low, Tired. This is used to try and help us understand why a camper might be feeling big feelings and acting out certain behaviours.
When is it appropriate to call in a cabin lead or camp director for behaviour management?
If behaviours are particularly disruptive or if they continue the behaviour after you've had discussions about it. Or if the behaviours threatens harm to yourself or other campers.
How is our positive culture different from toxic positivity?
We understand that life can be tough, and things aren't always great all the time! More about how you express your feelings of negativity and who you spread that to rather than limiting negativity all together.
Emily and Alex have the same two favourite colours... what are they?
Green and Pink (cue Wicked soundtrack)