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by Kim Aycock, M.S.T.
When I think back to my first summer as a camp counselor over twenty
years ago, I wish I knew then what I know now about working with a group
of energetic campers. I was assigned to live with ten thirteen-year-old
girls for seven weeks, and it didn't take long for them to figure
out that I was a new staff member with a lot to learn! I hate to admit
that I fumbled my way through many situations that summer and later
as a novice teacher in various middle and high school classrooms. A
few years ago, I was invited to work with a staff group during orientation
training at a Cape Cod camp. I was thrilled to have the opportunity
to address the topic of how to make the challenging times in a counselor's
day easier to manage — a session that would have made a huge difference
in how I handled my first cabin group during that inaugural summer.
In preparation for this training, a favorite math game adapted from
an article in Mathematics Teaching in the Middle
School (April, 1994) by Dan Brutlag came to mind. When I would play
"SKUNK" in my classroom to teach the concept of probability, I began
noticing some predictable responses from the students involved in the
activity that had nothing to do with the mathematical ideas we were
learning. Because "SKUNK" is a dice game that relies on both "chance"
and "choice" to determine the winner, it is the perfect metaphor
for camp staff in their work with children. Counselors
who go through a typical day at camp without giving much thought to
decisions being made and leave it up to chance will most likely find
themselves frustrated and discouraged. However, if you make good choices
and are deliberate in what you do regarding daily routines, it will
take less effort to lead campers through a busy camp schedule.
Click Here to Learn How to play SKUNK!
In the many games of "SKUNK" played throughout the years,
I have noticed several observations after playing
with a group that can lead into opportunities to "unpack" the
following points.
- There are varying degrees of risk takers; some
players will stay standing no matter what, while
others will be more conservative and sit down
after one or two rolls of the dice. It is always
interesting to see which players choose to stand until they are forced
to take a seat because of the eventuality of a "1" being rolled. The
difference between taking safe vs. unsafe risks at camp can also be
explored.
- Many players will "wait" to decide whether or not they
are going to sit or stay standing until they
see what other players decide to do. Campers will admit to this if
you ask them! This activity demonstrates the power of peer pressure
and can ignite a good discussion on this topic.
- Another dimension
that is worth pursuing is how goal setting is
used in this activity. Players will often set personal goals in the
hopes of accumulating more points with each round by remaining standing
for a certain number of rolls (e.g.: stay standing for three rolls
each time). This is a good time to talk about winning vs. self-improvement.
Some players are out to "win" and will do everything possible to make
that happen, while others will try to make small improvements in their
individual score each round.
- I have had amazing conversations with
eighth graders after playing this game on the
topic of when do you know it is time to "put on the brakes" in a given
situation? When is enough, enough? One girl responded with how she
listens to her "gut" and the "voice inside her head"
and uses that as her guide for when it is time
to "stop." Wow!
- Finally, the correlation
to intentional choices staff make regarding decisions
in a typical camp day vs. chance or luck will be the focus
for the remainder of the article.
One of the key differences between new
counselors and veteran staff is the planning that
takes place before the campers arrive. In a similar fashion to what
I did many years ago, it is tempting to wait and see how things go before
making a plan of action for leading a group of campers throughout the
daily camp routine. However, taking this course — the "leave it up to chance" route — can
make for a challenging start to the summer. What I propose instead,
and what I wish I had known during my initial summer as a counselor,
is to make intentional choices from the minute the campers arrive or
wake-up to the time they leave for the day or turn in for the night.
Quest for Best Practices
"Quest for Best Practices" is a
list of questions to help lead you through the
steps of thinking through the "nitty-gritty" of
a typical day at camp; it is adapted from one created by a superstar
counselor I had the pleasure of working with at Camp Illahee (Brevard,
North Carolina). Several activities are also included to assist you
in making good choices at specific times throughout an action-packed
camp day.
Road Rules (travel to/from day camp or taking a trip)
- Where/how are campers greeted?
- What
guidelines should be enforced for safely loading
and unloading a vehicle?
- What
procedures should be followed if a camper does
not report to the pickup area?
- What quiet activities can be done with campers if a delay
is experienced?
- What are proper procedures to follow in the
event there is an emergency while away from camp?
Something to think about:
Roadside Bingo, the License Plate Game, String
Games (Cat's Cradle), Aluminum Foil Art, Pirates of the Caravan (dress
in costumes for an extra fun adventure), Counting Cows, Lines & Dots, and Battleship
are just a FEW tricks you can have up your sleeve to make for eventful
travel (see www.momsminivan.com for more great suggestions and printable
game sheets). "All American Car-i-Oke" by David Schiller
(www.amazon.com) is a fun sing along CD that can entertain a group of
campers on a van or bus ride.
Wake-Up/Clean-Up
- What are positive
ways to start the day?
- What is the best way to get campers
up each morning?
- What tasks are campers expected to complete before/after breakfast?
- What
is an appropriate way to handle a camper who
doesn't want to do his/her job?
Something to think about: Start each day with a positive
tone (exercise, shower, read, have a cup of coffee)
and then play a peppy wake-up song to get campers up in the morning.
To ensure that campers "buy in" to clean-up, it is a good idea to include
your name on the job wheel. A "free space" can be added to give each
camper a day off or a slot that allows campers to be "DJ" and select
the tunes for that day's chore time. Other innovative suggestions include
naming the broom or mop; musical bed-making (it
is more fun to make someone else's bed than it is to make your own);
and beat the clock (go for the world record). It is always a good idea
to have campers agree to help each other when finished with their own
job so that completing clean-up tasks is seen as a community effort
and part of the culture of your camp.
Mealtimes
- Where do counselors sit throughout the meal
in relation to the campers?
- What manners should be enforced?
- What
quiet games can be played at the table?
Something to think about: Asking
LOTS of questions is a great way to start the conversation
and connect campers with each other during a meal.
What is the most unusual sandwich you have ever made? Who would you
like to have visit you for a whole twentyfour hours? What would you
like to have the world's largest collection of? These are just a few
interesting questions from Larry Eckert's book, If Anybody Asks Me .
. . 1001 Questions for Educators, Counselors, and Therapists, to get
your group to interact and enjoy time spent together in the dining hall.
A favorite game to play with campers at the table is "Two Truths and
a Lie." Each person tells three things about themselves, two true and
one that is a lie (not in any particular order). It is up to the group
to decide which of the three statements is a lie (www.groupgames.com).
Rest Hour
- What are effective ways
to get campers settled down?
- What is the counselor's role
during rest hour?
- What consequences can be used if campers
are not quiet?
Something to think about: Some campers will use this time to
sleep, and often counselors want to take a nap
after lunch; however, many children can be restless at this point in
the day. Setting expectations for rest period is key to making it work
for all involved. One counselor at Camp Rockmont (Black Mountain, North
Carolina) offered a method that works for the boys in his cabin. He
establishes a step system of varying degrees of quiet during rest hour
to allow for different camper preferences. If a particular level is
handled well, then campers move to the next step in the chain on the
following day (campers can also move "backwards" in this system). The
first step is complete silence with campers on their own bed doing individual
activities (reading, letter writing, etc.). The second step allows campers
to whisper the last 10 minutes of the hour. A final step might permit
campers to play card games quietly on the floor of the cabin. One of
my favorite writing activities that can be done during individual rest
time is "Positive Me from A to Z." Campers write something descriptive/positive
about themselves for each letter of the alphabet (Source Unknown).
Activity
Instruction
- What if
a camper is missing from an activity?
- What will campers do
if the planned activity is completed before the
period ends?
- What if a camper is reluctant to do an activity?
- What
if severe weather threatens during an activity
period?
Something to think
about: It is always desirable to plan for the unexpected
before being faced with the first rainy day or sudden change in the
schedule. Know where to go in the event that an activity held outside
is surprised by inclement weather and have a plan "B" in mind to keep
campers engaged and calm. Creative counselors keep a hackey sack handy
if soccer gets rained out, or waterfront staff can teach "land" lessons
around a first aid topic or safety issue. Many
camps have one day each week that departs from the normal activity schedule.
Because of the additional amount of "down time" on these days, counselors
need to be prepared with activities that are fun for the group to play.
Whoonu (Cranium) and Catch Phrase (Hasbro) are excellent selections
for this occasion. Taking a hike or doing a low-prop craft project such
as making creations from duck tape (www.ducktape.com/ducktivities) will
keep the energy of the group focused in a positive way.
Bedtime
- What time should campers
be in the cabin/bunk/tent at night?
- What is a good way to organize
campers to get through the bedtime routine?
- What ideas can be used
for devotion or friendship circle?
- What are ways to make an overnight
camp-out fun?
- What if campers haven't settled down when the
counselor is ready to leave for time-off?
Something to think about: The nightly routine can build lasting memories
that campers will remember long after the summer is over. One Camp Illahee
counselor had "Family Fun Night" each week in her cabin
to promote unity and bonding. These tenth grade girls could hardly wait
to return from evening program every Wednesday to play a fun game together.
Another resourceful counselor painted "You Rock" on a rock
that was found and started the "You Rock" award given to
one camper each night by the previous night's recipient. Reading
bedtime stories is still a great way to wind down from a busy camp day
for campers of all ages! Don't forget to take along some Wintergreen
Lifesavers on an overnight for the grand finale activity. Complete darkness
and one Wintergreen Lifesaver per person is all that is needed for electrifying
results. Have campers take turns biting down on their lifesavers (mouth
open) so that a partner can view the sparks.
Important for Making Good
Choices
- Set expectations EARLY for specific times of the camp
day (have a group meeting on the first day of
each session). Children count on you to do this!
- Meet with co-counselor(s) to make a
unified plan before campers arrive (children
need to see that staff are on the same page!).
- Be consistent with other counselors of
the same age group when setting and adhering
to expectations.
- Stick
with your plan from the beginning (don't give
in if a camper is not in agreement with the "rules") . . . adjust
later if necessary.
- Ask campers for input about what to do should someone
forget an expectation (campers will often be
harder on themselves than counselors will be) and check in with the
group regularly to see how things are going.
- Re-evaluate expectations at the start of each
new session and make modifications as needed.
- Be intentional . . . make ordinary moments of the camp day extraordinary
(Leiken 2003)! Using ideas from this article and what is learned in
orientation training is a good start to making this happen.
- Being a great counselor
is not a spectator sport!
Being a camp counselor is hard work, and as
Kermit the Frog says so eloquently, "It's Not Easy
Being Green." Making intentional choices leads to quality time spent
with campers and is vital to being successful whether
a novice or veteran staff member. Choose to make it a great summer,
and chances are, it will be!
References
Brutlag, D. (1994). "Choice
and Chance in Life: The Game of SKUNK" Mathematics
Teaching in the Middle School, Vol. 1, No. 1 (April
1994): 28‑33.
Eckert, L. (1998). If Anybody
Asks Me…1001 Questions for Educators, Counselors, and Therapists.
Wood and Barnes Publishing.
Leiken, J. (2003).
"Making Ordinary Moments Extraordinary," Camping
Magazine. American Camp Association.
Originally published in the 2009 May/June
issue of Camping Magazine.
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