Interacting with the Kids
What is unstructured time and what should you be doing during it?
A large number of responses....
This is the rule when it comes to any kinds of illnesses or injuries that occur while on the campgrounds.
Go straight to the nurse under a green tent!!
This is the color swim bracelet campers must have to go on the slide at the pool (and when they are allowed to go).
What is purple? (And during free swim ONLY if they ask one of us and we give permission--they must have a counselor go with them!)
This is a moment that makes me realize and understand why I am here and why what we do is so important.
Scenario: It is a hot day and you notice that camper who usually participates is just sitting off to the side staring into space.
Approach them kindly, make sure that they are drinking water, see if they need a few minutes in an air conditioned space, if necessary then go to the nurse
What are 3 ways we show that we are FTK?
Prioritizing what the campers want to do over what we want
Making sure that ALL campers get materials, handouts, snacks, ice cream, etc. before we take for ourselves
Engaging with the kids and not each other
Treating every camp with respect and kindness (not getting overly aggressive in games)
This is the camp motto when it comes to timeliness.
Early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable!
This is something you must fill out EVERY week before you come to camp on Monday mornings.
What is the weekly health screener?
Name at least 3 things you MUST do when at a specialty area where there is a specialist.
Ask HOW (not if!) you can help with setup/cleanup
Keep campers seated and listening
Engage in the activity for yourself
Help the specialist facilitate (demonstrations or helping kids with following instructions)
Treat them like ROYALTY
Get the kids to thank them when leaving
Scenario: A camper comes up to you complaining about a specialist's activity.
Insist that the camper remain polite to the specialist, try to get them to at least try the activity first, try to find alternatives or accommodations in the activity space, and as a last resort offer to take them to a different activity (alert your cocounselors and double check that the camper:counselor ratio is good at both activities!)
What are 3 ways we can make sure we maintain a professional boundary while at camp?
Making sure that we are not spreading gossip
Having NO contact with campers outside of camp
Not talking about your personal life or any inappropriate topics while on the campgrounds
Not swearing or even playfighting
Maintaining a FTK attitude
Not complaining
This is the reason that we implement the rule of 3.
To protect campers and ourselves from allegations of sexual harassment or misconduct.
This is how often you should be calling for a water break.
Every 15 minutes (more often on hot days)
This is what HERO stands for and what I can do to get one. (Bonus points for Golden Gnoments!)
Heart, energy, respect, ownership. -- continuously show that I embody these qualities and am for the kids!
Golden Gnomes for Extraordinary Gnoments--a single moment that occurs that was wonderful
Scenario: A camper is being mean/rude/openly defiant to you
Don't take it personally!
Remind yourself that they have things going on besides camp--maybe try to figure out why they are acting this way
Politely reinforce that they should be treating everyone (including you) with respect
Let us know about it
Bribe them
A camper bumped their head while running on the playground, but they are completely fine. What should you do?
Kindly insist that the camper goes to the nurse, if the camper doesn't want to then you can threaten to bring the nurse to them, alert blue shirts
You know you sometimes get allergies, but it hasn't really been an issue so far this summer. One day, you wake up and you feel really congested. This is what you should do.
Let us know AS SOON AS YOU WAKE UP. We'll probably tell you to stay on the safe side and stay at home (communicate with Brian, co bus counselors, Lauren and Jenn, etc.), and get a doctor's note saying that you aren't contagious.
What is the rule on water fights this summer?
Absolutely NONE
These are the names of the people on the Logistics Team, Facilities Team, and Program and Volunteer Day Coordinators.
Who are Ron and Ben, Matt and Marty, and Jenn and Lauren?
Scenario: You have counted the campers during you activity and realized that you have one fewer than when you started the activity.
Talk first to other counselors present (did they see them leave/did a counselor go with them somewhere); don't freak out!; ask Steph, Leo, or Mia; go to the other activities to check those places
How should you act if a camper (who has the right to use the word) uses a slur while speaking (or calls a different camper that slur)?
Politely call them out on it aside--remind them that we only want camp-appropriate language at camp.
Yes, they have the right to say it, but do they want a younger camper overhearing it and using it without knowing what it means?
If you need help or aren't comfortable addressing the situation yourself, please let us know about the situation ASAP
These are the 10 items you should be bringing to camp every day.
What are a cold (nut-free!) lunch, (lotion) sunscreen, a bathing suit, a towel, water shoes, a staff shirt, sunglasses, a head covering, a bag for wet clothes, and sneakers?
These are the steps you should be taking when an incident occurs at camp. (Please list them in order)
Delegating roles: 1-2 people for dealing with the incident itself, the rest to get the campers to move on with their day
Communication: getting a nurse (if needed), making sure head counselor knows, telling us, WE will talk to Dani/Dee/Lauren if necessary (not that you can’t/won’t talk to them, this is just the technical way we’re supposed to communicate!)
Stopping the spread of rumors/gossip!!!! YOU should not be talking about it at camp (if it is absolutely necessary, you can pull a fellow counselor aside and give them only the most important details), CAMPERS should definitely not be talking about it—help them move on with their day
Name EVERYONE in Leadership and their pronouns. (This includes our specialists--what specialty are they with?)
Scenario: A camper asks to talk to you in private.
Stay in an open area, make no promises (or at least that you can't keep a secret if it could lead to harm), do not just shut them down completely, redirection, etc.