Recruitment is the foundation for building a solid leadership team, so reading more about recruitment tactics can only benefit your staffing team. ACA has compiled a manual of evidence-based guidance of summer camp training. Building respect by using names that staff members find appropriate and positive is a good start. Resources The Summer Camp Society Successful summer camps share many excellent characteristics. is a series of 4 webinars and companion guides that you can use to: This series Includes 4 webinars and companion guides you can use to plan an inclusive summer camp experience and train your staff to support the diverse needs of children and youth. Basics of summer camp staff training Basics of summer camp staff training Last Update Date: June 20, 2023 Hiring a great staff is only a first step. A supervisor's communication style impedes belonging. With 10 Escape Rooms to choose from, youll never run out of adventures as they race against the clock and each other. And when I saw the person they were calling, I could tell that this particular nickname diminished this person. Instruct the staffer to never find themselves alone with a camper. Just make sure to give positive feedback and ways they can improve for their next position. This is absolutely one of my favorite camp challenges and energizers. You should make an effort to get to know your staffers and encourage them to get to know each other. 2023 American Camp Association, Inc. Throughout the training process, you should highlight the importance of camper safety and outline the steps that staffers can take to ensure the camp maintains a safe environment. Like teachers in a classroom, summer camp staffers wear many hats: mentor, guide, nurse, friend, and many more. Make sure to discuss the staffers situation responses to ensure they are aware of their engagement strengths and where they have room for improvement. Although hiring friends and family of current workers might be risky in some industries, this can be a successful strategy when it comes to building a strong summer camp team. However, an unprepared and untrained staff can be hugely detrimental for your summer camp. The typical camp staffer is a teen or young adult in their early 20s. Camp Staff Packets: 2023 Paid Employee Paperwork (adults - age 18+) 2023 Paid Employee Paperwork (youth - age 15-17) 2023 Volunteer Staff & CIT Paperwork PA Act 15 Clearances: Camp Staff Employee Clearances (for all paid summer camp employees) Camp Staff Volunteer Clearances (for all unpaid staff, CITs, and general camp volunteers) The training process starts the moment the staffer is hired. 8 Videos to Add to Your Staff Training - Summer Camp Programming Where do your counselors salaries rank when compared to those of your competitors? Summer camp staff training activities that focus on team building and getting to know each other are valuable assets to your training process. . ACN is the leading voice in camp healthcare. Write reference letters, recommend them for other positions, and help them advance their careers in ways that you can. Then they move onto the "nose" version, which requires players to share their personal space. The Summer Camp Source is Your #1 Source for Camp Management! On-Demand Webinar Series for you and your staff, Content available March 15 September 15, 2023. Feel free to print off and copy as needed. Here are three of our favorite summer camp orientation ideas to get the ball rolling. Phone: 765-342-8456. Activity Scheduling & Elective Scheduling. How can training transfer to camp work? With a quick scan of the campers personally tailored wristband barcode, the staffer will have complete access to any pertinent medical information that could be useful in an emergency. Purchase the series of 4 webinars and facilitator guides now for $199. With the right summer camp staff training processes and goals in place, you will be able to successfully train staff members who will effectively facilitate an amazing camp. I was so tired that I hadnt registered that the tired runner sitting next to me was a former camp At its best, summer camp is a silly, spirited place. Your staffers should feel completely prepared for any challenge they may face during camp. Together, well spend time thinking about creating a sense of belonging A coworker makes a racially insensitive joke. The same principles apply to training camp staff. If you are looking to spend less time on administrative tasks and more time on the fun side of running a camp, Sawyer is the best camp registration and management software for both in-person and online camps.. If youre fairing below average, consider upping the pay to give yourself an edge. The best camp management software will have a robust set of tools that will aid your staffers in their tasks. set yourself up for a smooth and successful summer season. 2023 Staff Training Issue of Camping Magazine Mon, 02/20/2023 - 15:12 Take a moment to start your free subscription. Interested but not sure how to start a summer camp? Begin by providing all participants with a piece of masking tape. Have an orientation and training program to set expectations and review policies. California State Preschool Programs offered at Arovista and Laurel Elementary Schools. However, it is essential that you also have a summer camp software tool that enables your staffers to access information about individual campers and the camp as a whole. software tools can help manage the difficulties you may encounter as you train your staffers and manage your summer camp. A 501(c)(3) Organization. Summer camp staff training activities are very important for the creation and cultivation of camp culture. share their expertise, insights and original resources through paid and free downloadable products. Reach out if we can help in any way. It takes a village. have been trained to the highest standards of quality. Youll be keeping that sense of community alive and well, and helping to create deeper bonds with campers and staff. Camp counselors in the area are likely to be more committed because they are working within their communities. Nowadays, most hiring happens online. Each of these trainings is valid for two years. For this activity, you should ask all of your staffers to send you a unique, obscure fact that they find absolutely fascinating. 2020 Sessions. Don't let your camp be held back by insufficient staff training when you can easily foster the leadership abilities of your young staffers to create a safe, fun, and supportive environment for your campers. Money is tight, resources are slim and there never seems to be enough time. We first posted our Diet-Free Camp Culture Staff Training in May 2019. The bottom of the page has tons of free staff training resources I think you will love. Once you have your team selected, the real work starts. However, it will take more than catchy sayings and Hi, my name is _____ games to get your camp leaders to become one. Your camp should operate like a well-oiled machine and this starts with providing all your staffers with detailed information about the daily management and schedule of the camp. You have a reputation among locals that can serve you in finding new camp staff. If you were a camp counselor, what would YOU want to do? If you want some tips on how to revamp your camp management process, read this guide to summer camp management! A lot of people charge a lot of money for this stuff. Summer Camp Staffing: 7 Top Recruitment & Hiring Strategies. Summer Camp Staff Training: A Complete Guide - CIRCUITREE There are 5 middle school sessions and 2 high school sessions. A suitable discussion then occurs reminding bigs that they cannot force or speed through the trust-building stage with littles. Which chains stand out as having excellent customer service? The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is the leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to building strong, healthy and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. Camp Training Resources - School Programs & Summer Camps For New York Allison Krabill Executive Director For more than three decades, I've been assisting camps, outdoor education centers, youth development agencies, and park and recreation organizations with their summer camp staff trainings. It was created to be an alternative for those who could not attend typical camp conferences due to finances, time or travel. Fast Casual restaurants are an excellent case in point. Here you'll gain access to resources through our KV Vault, get a chance to Meet Your Team, find City Specific training information and so much more. Do they know any college students that are great with kids and looking for work? You have your own camp culture and philosophy that shapes the way your camp operates. Do some research regarding compensation. The staff that you hire will be working closely with a wide range of children. What do I highlight in my summer camp staff training manual? You create that every summer and we want to help! You have the opportunity to help foster leadership qualities in your staff that will better equip them to continue their education or career. We are looking for outstanding individuals for our Summer Camp Staff team! An excellent summer stock staff will propel is camp toward greatness with lightnings speed. Everyones name has a story behind it. The American Camp Association is a community of camp professionals who, for over 100 years, have joined together to share our knowledge and experience and to ensure the quality of camp programs. YouTube Staff Orientation Materials - Camp MDSC Lets get Ready, Set, Summer together! Change Lives By wrapping and "rapping" at the same time, the speech center becomes less inhibited, and more information is typically shared. Do this through phone calls, newsletters, or reunion events. When they reach the end, they unwind the webbing and pass it along to the next person in the group. Summer camp staff training activities are very important for the creation and cultivation of camp culture. Reach out if we can help in any way. Perhaps they want to use their talents to push campers to become stronger swimmers or better communicators. Community Rec Magazine is published bimonthly by Peake Media. Originally published in the 2009 March/April issue ofCamping Magazine. In the end, especially with large groups, you'll have dozens of people chanting the names of their champions, creating great energy and enthusiasm. Conduct role-playing activities with your staff that prepare them to engage with the campers. Since 1994 we have been providing educational resources for all aspects of camp health services. Take a moment to start your free subscription. Changing the culture of a camp starts in small steps. This guarantees that no one will find themselves in a situation that could be compromising for themselves or the camp. (Pro-tip: only give them a limited number of pens so they have to interact with one another to complete this task). Just streamline the operational process by providing all staffers the resources they need to perform each task effectively and efficiently. In this document, the organization goes through research on camp counselor training including competencies that staff should learn, how characteristics of the staff affect effectiveness, and even summer camp staff training agenda and structure. Phone: 765-342-8456. Make sure they do not put their name on the notecard. Preparing for Your Summer Camp Interview - Melk Kowalkowski. Build Skills Working on camp staff offers you the opportunity to learn new skills outside of a classroom. How do I successfully conduct summer camp staff training? Hard conversations within American Camp Association Internships are another way to offer jobs to potential summer staff. Paid or unpaid, provide quality training, experiences, and stellar references through time at your camp can be the jump-start needed for a young person to get their professional career going once summer is over. Check out our guide! But dont just repeat exactly what youve always done. Then, you should randomize the facts and send them to every staffer. And this not only works with your camp staff but with campers as well. Camp provides the ideal setting for the kind of active . How do I design a summer camp staff training agenda? Joanna has collaborated with day, resident, not-for-profit and private camps. I've heard for years that sports builds character. Social Summer Camp provides the tools and expertise that summer camps and schools need to build, manage, and monetize social media campaigns. Let's help each other. The Summer Way page is the official Kidventure Summer Camp Staff webpage with endless resources to prepare you for camp. Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer Full Day Camps offered Age 3 - 13. Lets help each other. This person can be another camper or another staffer. The following four activities are not only some of my personal favorites, but they cover a wide range of helpful staff training topics, from icebreakers, getting-to-knowyou activities, energizers and games just for fun to a very unique closing activity that is sure to "connect" your staff together. You should walk your staffer through the reason you started this camp and what needs you think it meets in your community. Those things that link us together, bring us a bit closer together as well!". The staffers should feel comfortable discussing their work experience with you in a safe, professional environment. . Raise your hand if you have ever experienced anxiety at the idea of public speaking. We do not endorse any [] At many camps, counselors and staff use nicknames rather than their own names. At one camp, I heard a camp nickname that surprised me. In this, the day and age of video games, phones and the like, it has never been more important, or necessary, to get our kids moving. ACA Staff Training Certificates of Added Qualifications Want to get involved? Act as a companion, encourager, and message board moderator. We believe in the power of camp. However, a true statement when it comes to keeping summer camp thriving. Even if the staffer prefers not to dive into personal details, the act of storytelling still allows them to get comfortable with talking to others about themselves, no matter the depth. Always high on that list: a stellar camp counselor team. Camping Resources - Heart of America Council The Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization of Rochester, New York, uses Masking Tape Jousting as a way to discuss comfort zones between bigs and littles in their programs. At Sawyer, our goal is make administrative tasks easier for childrens camps and activity businesses so that they can spend more time doing what matters: working with children and sharing their love of learning. The group will then try to guess who the card is referring to. At Parks & Rec Business (PRB), we know some of life's best moments happen in a public park or recreation program. They first begin this activity by placing the masking tape on the knuckles of one fist, and allowing everyone to compete in this manner. Parks and Recreation Blog put together by the National Recreation and Parks Association. Other. American Camp Association Essential Staff Training Activities | American Camp Association Think for a minute about how other companies that hire high volumes of seasonal staff do it. A final part of the camp staffing dynamic that is different from other industries is that few people want to continue their role as a camp counselor forever. Be sure to specify a deadline for all submissions. Then, consider submitting a story of your own. Virtual Camp - Volunteer's Role. At this point, there is an opportunity to say, ". Or, maybe you are behind on getting your staff trained. We strongly recommend using Edge, Chrome 70+, Safari 5.x+ and Firefox 5.x+. How should staff training be structured? . Prepare interview questions ahead of time and fill in the answers during the interview for easy reference. Camp Director Resource Page | Boy Scouts of America Available at no cost, Harmony is a social emotional learning program for Pre-K-6 grade students designed to foster communication, connection, and community both in and outside the classroom and develop boys and girls into compassionate and caring adults. Camp Staff Forms & Resources No Reservations Needed! Summer Camp Online Training Available now! The losing opponent then becomes the cheering section for the champion, standing behind the winner with his or her hands on the winner's shoulders chanting the winner's name as he or she takes on other opponents. Create an account and login to have access to our Camp App and much more FREE downloadable resources to include printable activity guides with 100's of camp activities, our Camp Tool Kit with sample forms and documents, and our Camp Administration 101 educational handouts. Consider the following summer camp training activities as you plan your training strategy. We strongly recommend using Edge, Chrome 70+, Safari 5.x+ and Firefox 5.x+. their name of choice here." The challenge begins with two opponents facing each other. Orientation is important because it helps staff members get to know one another so they can work better as a team. You'll need sixty to ninety seconds per person, so plan accordingly. One of the biggest responsibilities of a quality program is all of the planning and preparation that take place during the off-season. Our goal is simple: Provide free resources for camp staff to improve summer programming, or simplymake your life easier! Here are some recruitment strategies to consider: If youve found great talent through specific channels in the past, definitely use those as your foundation and build from there. But any great summer camp director knows that it takes more than knowing how to have fun to be a leader. An excellent source for hiring recommendations is the staff members you already know and love. How do I streamline the summer camp staff training process with camp management software? Staff Training Blog The Summer Camp Society Whether you are running a day camp or a sleepaway camp, proper camp counselor training is essential to ensuring your campers are having fun while staying safe. They will always have access to the information they need to successfully manage their campers and further the goals of the camp. Although being part of a summer camp leadership team is an extraordinary and rewarding role, it is usually a stepping stone more than a final destination. How do I get to know my team with summer camp staff training activities? Outline the activities you will be doing, preferably with a brief explanation of the goals you wish to accomplish by performing this task. Do everything in your power to encourage a healthy staff community, including getting. This activity will require a set of notecards and pens. Summer camp staff training can be tricky, but it has the power to make or break your camp. Facilitation can be challenging to teach, but when your counselors "get it," the results are phenomenal. Join our free newsletter, ACA Now, to get the latest news, updates, and professional development opportunities delivered to your inbox every Tuesday. Staff Training Webinar Series for Summer Camp - Kids Included Together It feels pretty good when dozens of people are chanting your name! Join our free newsletter, ACA Now, to get the latest news, updates, and professional development opportunities delivered to your inbox every Tuesday. Looking to recruit new camp staffers? The framework might consist of topics like how to build camper self-esteem, providing a safe camp environment, and how to handle conflict between campers. Do everything in your power to encourage a healthy staff community, including getting custom t-shirts to bring your team together. Build Your Own Breakout Activities Presentation, Build Your Own Breakout Activities Google Doc (Copyable), Preparing for Your Summer Camp Interview - Melk Kowalkowski (Copyable Google Doc) (PDF), Summer Camp Photography Checklist (Copyable), JEDI Rapid Response Team Job Description Sample, JEDI Rapid Response Team Application Sample, Camper Wellness Job Description (Word) (PDF). . After writing their answers on sticky notes and placing them on chart paper with everyone elses response, camp counselors then get the opportunity to play with real rubber balls. Completely digitize the application process with customizable forms. Youll receive unlimited access from March 15 September 15, 2023. Many of us know what our names would have been, had we been born the opposite gender. Staff Training On-Demand Webinar Series, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility, train your staff on appropriate responses to challenging behaviors, set yourself up for a smooth and successful summer season, Three (3) all-staff webinars with facilitator guides, present training all at once or spread it out over a few hours or days, provide specific content to specific roles and groups, customize the discussion and planning to fit your unique program. . This tool aligns with the CDCs Guidance for Operating Youth and Summer Camps during COVID-19. You can tell a lot about a person by the kind of things they like and this game explores how well people can be identified based on their favorite fun facts. Welcome to CampStaff! PDF Evidence-Informed Guidance for Summer Camp Staff Training Programs - Pennsylvania Dutch Council BSA Ready, Set, Summer! An outline and activities centered around the most critical things CITs (counselors in training) must know to be successful. We strongly recommend using Edge, Chrome 70+, Safari 5.x+ and Firefox 5.x+. These include: Dont open yourself up to any misinterpretation of your rules and policies. Some of us are named after another member of our family, or perhaps even someone famous. These types of activities are needed to bring the group into a one band, one sound mindset while not forcing them to give up all individuality. The goal is for this person to continue talking until the webbing is completely wrapped around their finger. We share your ideas, solutions and stories with the entire parks and recreation community. In this 90 minute training, camp staff will identify ways to infuse equity into social and . For more information on summer camp management, check out these resources: For CIRCUITREE Support: support@circuitree.com, Summer Camp Staff Training: A Complete Guide. Time set aside each day of training to speak with counselors individually or in small groups. Instagram We know you provide the open space, trails, play spaces and recreation programs that allow your community to re-connect with nature, connect with old friends, make new friends and find balance. We strongly recommend using Edge, Chrome 70+, Safari 5.x+ and Firefox 5.x+. After all, you want them to be able to put their summer camp staff training to work! Empathy is the focus in all of our consulting. Your support helps us ensure that Kids Included Together spreads the mission of inclusion everywhere. Facilitation, sometimes called processing, helps create an atmosphere where campers are encouraged to process feelings and behavior; resolve conflict; and gain both confidence and skill in decision making. No matter what, you will have learned more about the interests of your staffers and what random facts they think are awesome and youll learn a bunch of new trivia facts! Off Campus enrichment opportunities: 4th Grade Sacramento Field Trip and 6th Grade Outdoor Education Camp. get a chance to Meet Your Team, find City Specific training . The final part of building a strong summer camp staff is getting them to return the next year. Training Tool Sheets for Camp Directors and Camp Counselors
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