EAP Experts
Watch vs. Warning (tornado)
Watch = Be Prepared; Warning = Take Action Now (interior, lowest level, away from windows).
Counselors are not allowed to do at Camper Pool Time
Be on their phone
Get in the pool with the campers
Lay, sit, chill, hangout in the Guard shack
Eat food from Lifeguard fridge without permission
Stand at Guard tower and talk to lifeguard
Leave the pool area unless on break
Examples of why a Behavior Report would be filled out
Leaving YMCA Boundaries
Violence towards people or objects
Verbal threats to harm self/staff/children or property
Purposely damaging or taking YMCA or another child's property
Refusal to follow directions of staff
Extreme and unpredictable temper outbursts
Use of foul language, threats, profanity, or insults
You have arrived to the dining hall 10 minutes early. What now?
1. Play a small game outside the dining hall to keep campers engaged then go inside at the designated time and sit at your table.
2. Have your group sit at their table and do a small activity until the rest of the groups arrive.
Camper is at Camp Carter for their very first time and they are shy
Get down on their level and introduce yourself first. (You're their first friend)
Ask their interests and hobbies (Relate them to Camp activites)
Try to pair them up with a camper who has been there before and are friendly (Another friend? Yippee!)
Check on them periodically
Muster Zone Locations and what to do when you arrive at one.
Group Leads take a headcount and roll/roster at the muster point; report “All accounted / Missing [Name] last seen [location]” to PIC.
What Counselors are allowed to do during Camper Pool Time
Sit on edge of pool with feet in the water
Stand by the pool
Monitor Restroom breaks
Engage in a game with campers without getting in the water
Assist lifeguards with active supervision
Have 2 members of your team roleplay a Camper Counselor interaction after the camper got angry for losing Gaga ball and kicked the ball away
Gaga Ball is the #1 area for negative behavior when not supervised properly
Staff should be sitting where within their groups
In the middle not on the edge
What to do when the scheduled activity just isn't engaging for your group
Adjust the plan to another activity in the same place
Create a new activity with the supplies you currently have
Back Pocket games
DO NOT RESORT TO GAGA BALL
Code Blue and Code Purple
Code PURPLE = First-aid level injury/illness (conscious, non-life-threatening).
Code BLUE = Life-threatening or potentially life-threatening medical emergency (unconscious/unresponsive, severe respiratory distress, major bleeding, head/neck/back injury, seizure without known history, etc.)
Only approved life jackets campers may use
U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket
Have your team roleplay a situation where all the 11-12 year old campers are pushing/shoving to get to the front of the lunch line
Attention getters
Ask another counselor or GL for assistance if things get too rowdy
Explain the importance of patience and respect
Procedure when your campers need to use the restroom
Make sure another staff can supervise your group that isn't going to the restroom, follow restroom number policy, wait by the bathroom door until all your campers have finished, walk them back to the table
Who should be your pace setter for transition from one activity to the next
Slowest walkers
Signs of a Propane Leak
Odor: Strong rotten-egg/skunk smell (ethyl mercaptan odorant added for safety).
Sounds: Hissing/whistling/roaring near tanks, regulators, lines, or appliances.
Visual indicators:
o Dead/discolored vegetation along buried line/path or near tank.
o Blowing dirt/debris, persistent bubbles in standing water/wet areas, or visible vapor/mist.
o Flames if ignited. Treat as an active fire; do not attempt to extinguish unless life is in immediate danger.
o Propane behavior: Unlike natural gas, propane settles low—avoid basements, culverts, depressions, barns’ low aisles, and down-slope paths.
Number of staff needed when using both gendered changing rooms before swim
3
Have 2 members of your team roleplay a situation where a 6 yr old is crying on the ground because another 6 yr old took the ball they were playing with.
De-escalate
Listen to the stories from both children
Don't pick sides
Help them come to an agreement or understand the importance of sharing
Meal time is over. Now what?
Make sure all dishes have been put in the designated tubs/bins
Designate one camper to be in charge of wiping your table.
Designate 1 or 2 (depending on age) campers to be in charge of sweeping.
When should you do Name to Face Checks
Check-in for start of day rosters
When you arrive to an activity
Before leaving an activity
During every Emergency Action Plan
When to call "Code Amber"
Missing Child
Immediate actions (within 0–2 minutes):
o Do not leave other participants unsupervised. Assign a staff member to maintain group supervision and conduct a face count and roll call to confirm one person is missing.
o Verify the person is not signed out (for youth programs) and confirm any authorized pick-ups.
o Quickly check the immediate area and restrooms adjacent to the LKL.
o If a person is still unaccounted for: notify the Person In Charge (PIC).
Two long whistle blasts
Two long whistle blasts → EAP active → Evacuate pool
Each member come up with a new attention getter or use a known one to regain control of the room.
HOLY MOLY ; Guacamole
123 Eyes on Me ; 1,2 Eyes on You
RED ROBINNNN ; YUMMMM
Snack that Smiles back ; GOLDFISH
Panini's awe inspiring Frozen melody ; I can Hear you
Your camper has forgotten their lunch or backpack somewhere and told you when they got to the dining hall
Don't get upset with them
Ask location narrowing questions
(Day Camp) Try to determine if they brought a lunch to camp that day. If not get them Camp lunch.
(Overnight) Determine if this is an absolute must for the camper to have at that meal time.
Discuss with GL on where the item is so they can search for it
Components of a Lesson Plan
Name, Supplies, Location, Set-up, Rules, Objective, How it relates to YMCA Core Values