Common Kesem Programming Concerns
This type of shoe is required to leave the cabin at camp.
What are closed-toed shoes?
What is THE YETI?
TRUE OR FALSE. If a kid is bored and wants to use your phone to find a song to play for the group, that is allowed.
What is false?
This is what you say when your campers get upset that they are too young to zipline.
What is explain safety, redirect to other fun things that only they get to do, get to look forward to when they are older?
What is eat outside, get headphones?
As required by Kesem Nationals, this article of clothing is required in addition to a swimsuit in order to swim.
What is a t-shirt?
If your camper's chose not to participate at Kesem we use this phrase.
What is Challenge By Choice?
What is make it a competition, make it more challenging, get really invested, play hype music?
This is what to do if your camper is visibly exhausted and not keeping up with the group.
These are the next steps if a camper does not like the meal and is complaining of hunger and headache.
What is tell admin, ask about alternative foods, ask nurse?
Campers and counselors go to bed by these times, respectively.
What is 10 PM and 12 PM?
This happens if you say a bad word, a real name, or if admin is feeling mean.
What is a Spooner?
You could do this if a TLP camper insists they can go on a walk alone because they are 18 and an adult.
What is explain camper rules, acknowledge that this is frustrating, ask how else we could give them more independence within camp rules, suggest walk in ratio?
None of your campers want to participate in the assigned activity. These are some options of what you could do instead.
What is practice lip sync, make crafts, play games, sing K POP Demon Hunters?
These are the things Admin has on hand to help with overstimulation.
What is fidgets, headphones, earplugs, coloring books, cards, beads?
These are some actions you could take when you realize your kiddo only packed 2 pairs of underwear.
What is talk to admin, do laundry?
This is a fun time when alumni come to camp.
What is Visitor's Day?
TRUE OR FALSE. Campers over the age of 16 can use the restroom alone.
What is False?
Your camper does not understand the point of the pinecones and luminaries. They are bored so you do this.
What is explain the point, offer to step away, offer alternative programming?
These are the next steps if a camper needs to step away but you would not be in ratio if you did so.
What is call Admin, borrow a counselor from another unit in ratio, bring another camper with you?
These are some things you can say if your camper decided they only wanted to shower once over the entire week.
What is "Hygiene is important," "We have to shower so we can keep doing fun activities while still taking care of ourselves," "Is there a reason why you do not want to shower?," "When do you normally shower at home?"
After Empowerment and Messy Games you will complete this activity as a cabin!
What is Cabin Magic?
What is have them coach, have them be in charge of costumes, have them be the DJ, ask them how else they can be involved?
A camper tells you that another kid in the cabin called him the "s-word." You ask what the "s-word" is, and they say "stupid." You say this.
What is validate feelings, address with other camper (and get full story), talk about kind words, three put ups for each put down?
A camper in another cabin has a breakdown due to sensory issues. This is what you do when your camper asks, "Did you see that girl crying?"
What is explain that we all have different needs, ask if they have ever felt overwhelmed before, explain compassion is neccesary, redirect conversation away from specific kid?