Camp Is for the Camper Online Course

Introduction and Reflections

By Paul A. Schlag

Parents place a great deal of trust in camps and camp counselors when they send their children to camp. Wouldn't it be great if staff could think about this aspect of camp before they even arrive at camp? Well now they can! ACA has a new tool to assist you with the responsibility of training camp counselors. ACA partnered with the University of Georgia to create a stand-alone, interactive, online training program.

The Camp Is for the Camper Online Training, Second Edition gives staff a jumpstart in considering their roles and responsibilities before arriving at camp.  The program's four interactive modules address counselor responsibilities as role models, stress reduction while working at camp, and demographics of today's campers and behavior management techniques. The program content draws from the popular booklet, Camp Is for the Camper. Buy this book!

It is imperative that counselors see themselves as role models for campers and act accordingly.  Related to understanding their own roles, counselors also need to understand current camper demographics since today's campers come from a variety of situations and backgrounds.  Knowing today's campers gives counselors insight into understanding and dealing with them in an effective manner.  In addition, serving as a camp counselor is often demanding and stressful. Counselors who know how to handle stress are able to better interact with campers in a positive and safe manner. Further, every counselor needs to know how to reinforce positive behavior and discourage negative behavior. The Camp Is for the Camper Online Training program literally gives counselors a jumpstart in learning how to better serve campers.

Each module provides essential information in an innovative and interactive manner.  The first module teaches counselors about their responsibilities as role models to campers.  After learning what it means to be a role model, participants are asked to choose their interactions with campers and camper parents in an interactive format. Through the “magic” of technology, the participant can read the camper's and parents' minds.  This gives counselors a sense of how their actions and interactions affect campers and their parents. 

The second module in the training program provides tips for dealing with the stresses of camp.  The culmination of this module is a stress test, where the participants make choices regarding how they will conduct themselves at camp. One option leads to reduced stress, while the other option increases stress. Thus, counselors are able to see how their choices and actions affect stress levels. The next module deals with the demographics of today's campers. Participants get to know ten virtual campers, whose lives reflect current demographic trends. Further, this module covers the typical developmental characteristics associated with different camper age groups (i.e., physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development and activities that are appropriate for each age group). After learning about today's campers, participants play "The Age is Right" game. They are shown certain developmental characteristics or demographics and asked to choose the age group that characteristic or demographic describes. 

The final module explores behavior management. Participants learn about some of the typical behaviors encountered at camp (e.g., homesickness, aggression, unwillingness to participate, etc.).  They also discover strategies for encouraging, preventing, or dealing with such behaviors.  At the end of the module, participants play a game called “The $14,000 Triangle.” They are shown a strategy for dealing with certain behaviors and are asked to identify what behavior the strategy seeks to confront. After participating in the entire course, counselors are given a certificate that indicates they successfully completed the Camp Is for the Camper Online Training Program, Second Edition.

This interactive training program is an effective method for preparing counselors to serve our campers. It encourages counselors to think about campers before arriving at camp and provides a solid foundation upon which directors can build. Since the program is online, counselors can participate in this course anywhere and anytime they want. Participating in this course allows directors and trainers to spend more time with hands-on training while on site. The Camp is for the Camper Online Training program, Second Edition, coupled with effective, face-to-face training, can better prepare counselors to serve campers in a professional, helpful, fun, and safe manner.

Course Length: 1 hour 
Course Credit:  1.0 CEC

Two Purchase Options:
Single person, one-year access to course
Price: $20 member; $55 nonmember
Purchase Camp Is for the Camper Course for yourself;

Multiple Persons (up to 50 persons*), subscription access to the course
Price: $50 - Member; $85 – Nonmember
*Additional learners will be $25 per person member; $43 nonmember.  Please contact ACA to place your order for more than 50 learners 800-428-2267 ext. 305
Purchase Camp Is for the Camper Course for your staff as a subscription;  for up to 50 persons.

Please note the following for subscription access:

• You will be required to supply enrollment information for each learner
• The cost of the course allows up to 50 members of your staff to take the course until December 31 of the current year, unless you purchase additional learners. After that time, you/your camp will need to purchase the course again for the following year.
• Your staff may complete the program at their convenience