Counselor Blog
May 18, 2011
Christopher Thurber, Ph.D., a board certified clinical psychologist, explains that what children say isn't always what they really mean.
"I don't want to play. I hate kickball." — Sophia, age five
"Ben doesn't like me. He's always mad at me." — Betrand, age nine
"This place stinks. All the activities are stupid." — Asa, age twelve
If you're like most camp staff, you bristle when you hear children say these sorts of things. Read the full article.
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May 11, 2011
Staff training is about what you are expected to do. The reason for those expectations is directly related to the experience every camper has at camp. Every expectation (or, in other words, every moment) should positively impact the kids' camp experience. It's pretty straightforward mathematics: Expectations + You = Camper's Experience.
April 6, 2011
The latest issue of Counselor Now is available online. Read The Seven Absolutes of Camp Counseling, by Jeffrey Leiken. He writes it is always better to be thought of as a great counselor by your director than to be thought of as a cool one by your campers. Working with children should be fun, and being able to access your playfulness in order to connect with your campers is essential to your success. Just make certain that you always remember that you are the adult and that you are hired to be professional in all your decisions
Also take a moment to read Words of Encouragement to the Camp Counselor: Ideas and Tips for a Successful Summer.
March 21, 2011
ACA’s CEO Peg Smith was featured on Lifetime Television’s morning program, The Balancing Ac, on March 11, 2011. This segment consisted of a conversation about the benefits of camp, choosing a camp, experiential education and the camp experience, and much more. Lifetime Television has 96 million subscribing households nationwide!
March 3, 2011
Check out our premier issue of the Counselor Now newsletter, designed for you, the frontline camp staff. This newsletter offers job-specific resources for everything you'll need this summer — from Camping Magazine articles and training advice to job opportunities, Counselor Now will help you be at your best.
"Tips for Camp Counselors: Sage Advice from a Veteran Camp Director" offers the advice you need to nurture your campers' development and guide positive behavior. "Licking Banana Slugs, Poking at Scat: Teaching that Creates a Connection to the Natural World for Campers" shows how to give your campers tangible experiences in nature during all activities this summer.
March 2, 2011
Check out ACA's Camp Counselors Facebook Page built for you, frontline staff at summer camps! Check back here for advice and tips, fun activity ideas, job opportunities, and much more. Use this page along with our other resources like this blog and the Counselor Now monthly email for finding the tools to make a positive impact in the lives of your campers and have a great summer at camp!
February 28, 2011
Welcome to ACA's new blog for you, the counselor! Check back here for counseling advice and tips, fun activity ideas, job opportunities, and much more. This counselor blog will give you the tools to make a positive impact in the lives of your campers and have a great summer at camp!
