In my first year as a camp director, I knew I wanted to start a tradition. Something to create a bond in my staff for years to come.
Holidays were always a big deal growing up, and camp to me is a place to do all the things you can’t at home. It’s not very often a family does holiday traditions in the middle of July — so why not go all out? In doing so, the staff holiday card tradition was born. The mantle was decorated, ugly sweaters were being worn — it seemed like the perfect backdrop to snap a moment in time. The following holiday season, each staff member would receive the holiday staff photo card in the mail.
I had no idea this small thing would become something returning staff would look forward to year after year. Or, that it would become a rite of passage that would be something they would brag about still having the summer of 2017’s holiday card hanging in their room.
As camp professionals, we all know there’s no “off” season when it comes to staff engagement. The holiday card tradition goes to show that being intentional with staff doesn’t take a lot of effort. However, the effort we do make reflects how they feel connected to camp throughout the year. Holidays are often a time when people reflect on the year’s accomplishments. Such a small gesture in the mail can remind them of the impact of the work they did the previous summer and the impact that they will possibly make next summer.
This is just one suggestion in a myriad of many ways to engage with staff over the course of the year. A staff holiday card can provide a catalyst for building a sense of community within a team. In the camp world, where everyone can tend to be in different places during the off season, the card can bridge the physical gap and foster connection that transcends distances.
The holiday card leveraged other ways to engage staff throughout the off season. One of those ways was by creating opportunities for staff to serve as a volunteer or work during larger events on weekends or longer school breaks. This allows them to see previous campers, utilize and sharpen previous skills, and spend time with other camp staff. Returning to camp and being immersed in the environment, even for a short period of time, does wonders for keeping thoughts of summer on their radar. Another way we have found to engage staff has been to provide certification opportunities so they are able to develop new leadership skills, stay invested, and grow in their role at camp.
Creating an environment where staff feel like they belong goes a long way. Infusing some of these strategies can hopefully provide both positive and festive engagement to your off season. Mark your calendar for next summer so staff can grab their ugly sweaters for the soon-to-be annual photo!
This blog was written on behalf of ACA's Project Real Job, whose goal is to support camps in their efforts to recruit, hire, and retain staff.
