HALT
When thinking about reasons a camper could be dysregulated, what does the acronym HALT stand for?
Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired
Name three games or activities you could use to help build cabin community and prevent homesickness?
Question beach ball
Warm and fuzzies
Would you rather
Board games
Reading a story
How can you let campers know that a transition is upcoming?
Give a 5 minute warning
Show them on the schedule what will happen next
What are some signs a camper is starting to become dysregulated?
Raised voice, clenched fists, stomping feet, angry face
What behaviors are kids looking for from adults in their leadership style at camp?
Balance firmness and fun
Enforce rules fairly
Be calm and respectful
Spend time with kids
How can you help a camper who is hungry feel regulated?
Offer a snack
Sit with them at mealtimes and help them get their food to ensure they are getting enough at mealtimes
Name three strategies to help a camper experiencing homesickness.
Ask "Tell me all the things you think or do to help make things better when you're feeling homesick."
Doing something fun to forget about homesick feeling
Talking with someone to help them feel better
Thinking about the good side of things (activities, friends) to feel better
Thinking that camp is actually pretty short to make time go by faster
Write a letter to family
draw a picture of family
Hannah Banana can even email family for a picture to print out
How can you help a camper who is struggling to get their things ready to go to an activity?
Break the directions into chunks
Post visuals of things they will need at the activity
Help the camper place each item they need in their backpack
Name two tools in the sensory bag that can help campers calm down.
Breathing cards
Fidgets
Stress ball
Timer
Name at least one way demonstrating Impatience hurts interactions with campers.
Campers learn that you’ve lost control
Campers learn that your response to their pushing limits is unpredictable
They may respond by losing respect for your or by pushing back harder
Losing your cool leaves you feeling uncomfortable and out of sorts
How can you help a camper who is angry feel regulated?
Invite them to take a break
Invite them to use the sensory bag
Invite them to take deep breaths
Ask “What do you need in this moment?”
How can you help campers integrate into camp on the first day?
Introduce campers to one another
Make sure schedules and maps of camp are posted in visible locations
Tell kids what's coming up next on the schedule
Why is it important to give campers choices when possible?
To give them a sense of independence and control of the situation
Name at least two important steps in setting limits
Identify the inappropriate behavior.
Explain why the behavior is inappropriate.
Give reasonable choices with consequences.
Allow time. Give the camper a few minutes to make a decision.
Be prepared to enforce the consequences for the choices offered.
What are two of the four steps in the classic problem solving method?
1. Make an observation about the problem (not the person).
2. Solicit ideas for solutions.
3. Evaluate the pros and cons.
4. Pick a solution, with a promise to re-evaluate.
How can you help a camper who is lonely feel regulated?
Ask them if there is a camper they would like to be friends with and Help them connect with that camper
Play a game as a cabin
Take turns answering get to know you questions
Do a preferred activity with that camper
Should you offer to let a homesick camper call home?
No. If a camper is in severe distress, a phone call home might be considered but that final decision is made by the Camp Medical Team and the Camp Director. Please do not offer the possibility of a phone call home to campers when talking with them about being homesick.
Give an example of giving a camper a choice when getting ready in the morning
“It’s time to get dressed. Do you want to pick out your top and bottoms for the day or would you like some help?”
“Do you want to brush your teeth or get dressed first?”
Name at least two strategies you can use when setting limits.
Use calm and neutral body language, facial expression, and tone of voice.
State what’s allowed, without issuing orders.
Weigh the choices, and try to offer two positives.
State and encourage a positive choice first—before introducing consequences or negative choices.
Name at least one way you can demonstrate patience when setting boundaries and limits with campers.
Be clear and consistent with the boundaries and limitations
Be willing to explain (and re-explain) why boundaries and limits exist
Engage in the conversation and tolerate the question of essential boundaries
How can you help a camper who is tired feel regulated?
Offer a nap (following rule of 3)
Create a calm environment at rest hour so those who want to rest can
Encourage the camper to take some quiet time
Create a nighttime routine that helps campers wind down for sleep
How can the nightly cabin questions help build community and prevent homesickness?
Help campers process the day
Help campers feel connected to each other by listening and sharing
Help build a sense of comfort and routine into bedtime ritual at camp
If a camper needs to apologize to someone else at camp, how could you offer them a choice in doing so?
Give them the option to write the apology or say the apology
Give them the option to apologize now or apologize later when they feel calmer
Name at least two ways you can help a camper deescalate.
Respect personal space.
Use nonthreatening nonverbals.
Focus on feelings.
Ignore challenging questions.
Set limits
Choose wisely what you insist upon. Consider what’s negotiable— if you can offer options or flexibility, you can avoid further escalation.
Name at least two practical strategies for everyday development of patience.
Speaking calmly when you are unhappy
Taking a breath before you speak, especially if you don’t like what you see
Let others go first
Ponder ideas when it’s not urgent to make a decision
Try things again
Ask for help when you need it