Like current staff members, parents are good suppliers of referrals. Looking to recruit new camp staffers? March 1, 2009 You expect your staff to think on their feet so why not train them on their feet? That's why we created a course just for you and your summer camp staff. Conduct role-playing activities with your staff that prepare them to engage with the campers. Blog/Resources; Coaches Training; Covid - 19 Resources; Grants; Physical Education/Healthy Training . With so little time in precamp orientation to do everything you want to do, you may find it helpful to step back and set priorities for your training time with counselors. "Summer 2020 Camp Curricula" Google Slides 3. Campminder Camp 10: Oct 18-20 Register Today. BC Recreation and Parks Association - Courses - Summer Camp Online Training The group will then try to guess who the card is referring to. For this activity, invite everyone to share the story of their name: how they came to have it; if they like it or not; any nicknames they might have; who else has their name. Phone: 765-342-8456. You may hear hot debates over who they think sent in a certain fact, or be surprised by someones trivia contribution. And, encourage them to end with the phrase "please call me . Camp counselor training | Agenda, activities, ideas, & more The focus in all activities is on safety, making friends, and positive memories. You should do a tangible assessment of the staffers knowledge of camp policy at the end of the training period. In this 90 minute training, camp staff will identify ways to infuse equity into social and . The final part of building a strong summer camp staff is getting them to return the next year. Summer Camp Staffing: 7 Top Recruitment & Hiring Strategies. Martinsville, IN 46151-7902Phone: 800-428-2267 PE Games is dedicated to keeping kids active and engaged during physical activity, whether it is in the gym, outside or in the classroom. Phone: 765-342-8456. You have own own pitch culture and philosophy that shapes the way your camp operates. Outline the activities you will be doing, preferably with a brief explanation of the goals you wish to accomplish by performing this task. So, what are you waiting for? Just make sure to give positive feedback and ways they can improve for their next position. An excellent summer camp staff will propel your camp toward greatness with lightning speed. Doing the Work: How your Frontline Staff Feel about DEI at your Camp - Simone Gamble, Liz Ramirez, Ilyssa Lapp, and Marisa Gershwin - Tuesday, March 14 at 2:00-3:00 PM - Room 415. This is the 21st year of summer debate and leadership communication programming at Claremont. StopBullying.gov provides information from various government agencies on what bullying is, what cyberbullying is, who is at risk, and how you can prevent and respond to bullying. Setting the tone for staff members early is important to get everyone on the same page and acclimated to how camp operates and what is expected. Want to get involved? 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. The typical camp staffer is a teen or young adult in their early 20s. Please refresh and try again. Camp Administration 101: Staff Training And Education Camp Business Cite this resource as Gillard, A. Summer Day Camp 2023 | Brea, CA - Official Website . Fill out this form and we'll reach out to schedule a one-to-one. How do I successfully conduct summer camp staff training? Within any group of campers and staff comes a great deal of diversity and difference. Make sure to include a section that provides a detailed description of your camp's basic information and policies. Once your staff completes their training, they should feel ready to tackle the first week of camp with confidence. Applicants must be age 15 by June 1, 2023, to apply for an Instructor Position - CIT's (Naish Only) must be age 14. Dont forget to make sure your manual has a clearly labeled table of contents so that you and your staffers can easily navigate the text. Reach out if we can help in any way. The activity itself is simple. However, it will take more than catchy sayings and Hi, my name is _____ games to get your camp leaders to become one. Invite your staffers to share the story behind their name. 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. Marketing these positions as an intern opportunity will help you get the hiring process rolling. Everyone has a story related to his or her name. with staffing functionality can automatically organize incoming submissions for you, post. It will answer the questions: You should incorporate your staff team building activities throughout the summer camp staff training agenda. Best summer camp jobs and best summer camps in America and Canada. Many summer camps hire staff with lots of enthusiasm, but limited work history. They make contact with the tape on their noses, and as they pull away, one person will win' the round by capturing both pieces of masking tape. This will help direct the staffers actions as they assimilate into your camp. The best way to prepare your staff is to provide them with the proper training they need to utilize the software tools they need to succeed. How do I get to know my team with summer camp staff training activities? Martinsville, IN 46151-7902Phone: 800-428-2267 Allison Krabill Executive Director * Raccoon Circles are fifteen foot (4.6 meters) long segments of tubular climbing webbing with which you can facilitate group activities. Distribute the cards randomly and allow the staffers to read the facts on their card aloud to the group. Let's help each other. What do I highlight in my summer camp staff training manual? Of course, summer camps should be fun and exciting for children but the number one priority should always be safety. The title for this get-acquainted activity, Wrapped Around My Finger, pretty much explains this entire activity. Youll be keeping that sense of community alive and well, and helping to create deeper bonds with campers and staff. This guide will walk you through all the best ways to navigate your summer camp staff training with ease. At Camp Business, we know some of life's best moments happen in a day camp or overnight children's camp. 8 Videos to Add to Your Staff Training - Summer Camp Programming If youre fairing below average, consider upping the pay to give yourself an edge. Take a moment to start your free subscription. As you start thinking about your camp counselor training process, researching best practices is a great way to start. An outline and activities centered around the most critical things CITs (counselors in training) must know to be successful. Summer camp planning has begun! 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. Many of these resources are on the public domain and are not affiliated with the BSA. Training Summer Camp Staff Online: Four Tips - Campminder Training Summer Camp Staff Online: Four Tips Arriving at camp with some knowledge under their belts can help counselors build confidence and can make the transition to camp as seamless as possible. They first begin this activity by placing the masking tape on the knuckles of one fist, and allowing everyone to compete in this manner. Your staff should be able to easily access and manage camper information at any point during the summer. 2. Additionally, you should be very clear with camp policies. Then every member of your staff will hear and learn how everyone else would like to be addressed. And looking for more support to jumpstart your camp? Do they know any college students that are great with kids and looking for work? The. 2023 American Camp Association, Inc. What passions do they want to help students chase? The Summer Way page is the official Kidventure Summer Camp Staff webpage with endless resources to prepare you for camp. How do I get to know my team with summer camp staff training activities? Welcome to the family! 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. This is absolutely one of my favorite camp challenges and energizers. Thats why we created a course just for you and your summer camp staff. Consider the following summer camp training activities as you plan your training strategy. Join us for a presentation on the benefits of celebrating differences in the camp bubble. . Encourage positive conversation that promotes strong self-esteem. We are dedicated to saving you time & helping you exceed your mission. Encourage a safe camp experience for the campers. In the end, especially with large groups, you'll have dozens of people chanting the names of their champions, creating great energy and enthusiasm. 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. 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. We strongly recommend using Edge, Chrome 70+, Safari 5.x+ and Firefox 5.x+. Regardless of what position each person holds, they should be able to see the list of responsibilities and expectations for each position. Kids Included Together is the leader in disability inclusion training and behavior support and has decades of experience working with youth program providers just like you. It's that easy. Offer customized positions electronically and have them accept digitally. Camp Staff are seasonally employed by the Gulf Stream Council. Child Development Services - Brea-Olinda Unified School District Summer Camp Staff - Atlanta Area Council There is also an educational theory that for folks who may be a bit shy about speaking to even a small group in public, the act of wrapping the webbing around their finger occupies that portion of the brain that controls nervousness. Allow three guesses and then have the staffer reveal themselves. Summer Camp Staff Training, 6/4 - Verdugo Hills Council Boy Scouts of Lets help each other. You also need to train these staff members so that they're set up for success. A board member resists changes that foster inclusion. She has presented keynote addresses, seminars and workshops for industry associations serving diverse populations. Welcome to the family! will have a robust set of tools that will aid your staffers in their tasks. Write reference letters, recommend them for other positions, and help them advance their careers in ways that you can. This means they have every resource they may need at their fingertips so they can focus on providing the campers with fun camp memories they can remember for the rest of their lives. Instagram We know many of you are thinking about having some version of camp this summer and with traditional in-person training not being a feasible option, BCRPA has developed a series of online courses that your staff can take at-home to help them refresh their skills and get ready for summer. Other CampMinder blogs are a great place to start. Please Be Seated for a Five-Course, Staff-Training Smorgasbord, You Are What You Think: Growing Mindsets at Camp, A Time to Talk: Communicating with Campers. 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. Then they move onto the "nose" version, which requires players to share their personal space. Summer Camp Staff - Pennsylvania Dutch Council BSA CAN Educational Summer Camp 2020 Training Workbook CNCS Swear-In Access the PowerPoint Camp Curricula & Mindfulness 1. Long gone are the days where you had to hand pick every new-hire out of a stack of paper applications. These might include: The activities and exercises that you do with your staff should enhance your relationship with your staffers. Summer jobs for students, coaches, teachers, counselors, seniors and retirees. A supervisor's communication style impedes belonging. When HR specialists tell you what their least favorite part of the job is youre bound to hear firing mentioned a few times. The goal is for this person to continue talking until the webbing is completely wrapped around their finger. Creating lasting relationships when camp is in-session comes naturally. What seems common sense to a professional running a successful summer camp might not come naturally to them at first. Summer Camp Con (SCampCon) is a virtual conference for summer camp professionals. 5000 State Road 67 North Take a look to see if you need to update some of your outreach languages. ACA's Staff Training Certificate Courses are designed for individuals from varied audiences interested in expanding their knowledge and skills related to particular roles in camp or related youth development work. 5000 State Road 67 North Summer camp should be a place where we can create the world we want our kids to live in and help inspire them to re-imagine what is possible when they leave. Begin with an unknotted length (fifteen feet) of tubular webbing (known as a Raccoon Circle*). This browser is no longer supported and some key features will not work. In his book, Katalyst discusses how we can each achieve maximum potential through the power of passion and creativity. 2023 American Camp Association, Inc. We can't wait. Need more info? Our job is to help. Educational videos for youth development professionals. Those things that link us together, bring us a bit closer together as well!". When you get more done with less stress, you can focus on what matters, which is making camp better and getting more kids to camp. Get creative! The Bullying Prevention Training Module Presentation is a research-based resource that can help you lead bullying prevention efforts in your local community. The very first person who also enjoys one of these camp-related activities, links arms with the leader (and becomes the second link of chain). A leader begins by introducing herself, placing her hands on her hips (to create the first link of chain) and sharing what she enjoys most about camp, such as, "I like the morning polar bear swims, pizza for lunch in the dining hall, and the sounds of singing coming from the campfire circle." 1. Collectively, we have nearly a hundred combined years of camp experience and more than a few good ideas for which activities really bring out the best in a summer camp staff and that explore valuable staff training and development topics. Fast Casual restaurants are an excellent case in point. Camp Training Resources - School Programs & Summer Camps For New York These include: Dont open yourself up to any misinterpretation of your rules and policies. A 501(c)(3) Organization. Some of us are named after another member of our family, or perhaps even someone famous. The answer is simple:CircuiTrees summer camp staffing software tools can help manage the difficulties you may encounter as you train your staffers and manage your summer camp. Want to get involved? This will gauge how much information they have retained and how prepared they are to begin the summer. These are not only team-building activities, but team bonding, too both of which are important for uniting your staff this summer. Equipped with the right tools and knowledge, your staff will be prepared to overcome any camp challenge. Building respect by using names that staff members find appropriate and positive is a good start. You can bet they have an extensive training program to teach the basicsfrom how to address common customer issues, to how to make customers feel special and cared for. You have a reputation among locals that can serve you in finding new camp staff. 2023 American Camp Association, Inc. Get it for free, just enter your email below and get the password. In addition to my own ideas, I've been lucky enough to persuade David Knobbe and Clare Marie Hannon of the C5 Youth Foundation (formerly known as Camp Coca Cola) to join this project. Oops! Provide your staff with the necessary resources. We share your ideas, solutions and stories with the entire parks and recreation community. Join our free newsletter, ACA Now, to get the latest news, updates, and professional development opportunities delivered to your inbox every Tuesday. They should be able to find answers to all of their questions about the running of the camp in the pages of the manual. Clich, right? So, what do the leaders want to happen for the camp as a whole? You should include any information you find pertinent to your specific camp. LEADs mission is to provide training and curriculum to strengthen mental health literacy, promote lifelong well-being, and build community resilience. Because your summer camp staff will be working directly with children, it is essential that they receive training that is both sound and practical. You want to maintain a healthy, open relationship with your staffers that encourages them to return each summer. We do not endorse any of these, we are simply listing here as a reference for you. Instruct them to fold this tape into a circle, sticky-side out, and place it on their nose. How should staff training be structured? Martinsville, IN 46151-7902Phone: 800-428-2267 I had just finished running a marathon and had flopped onto the grass to rest. Recent brain research points to active learning as one of the keys to prepare campers to meet the challenges of our changing society. . The attitude of your staffers will help set the tone for the rest of the camp so you should nurture healthy staff relationships and know the people you employ. Dining Hall: How to Create Camp Magic through Staff Appreciation - Adam. Within any group of campers and staff comes a great deal of diversity and difference. If you are ready to spend less time on admin and more time doing what you love, see how Sawyer can help with a free trial or demo. There are a variety of ways to approach summer camp staff training. Below are a collection of free and paid resources designed to help you be a happier more effective camp pro. Then, consider submitting a story of your own. How do I design a summer camp staff training agenda? Camp management software with staffing functionality can automatically organize incoming submissions for you, post. 2023 Camp Staff Resources Icebreaker games and other orientation activities help staff to meet one another, form connections, and practice teamwork. What competencies should summer staff learn during training? Join our free newsletter, ACA Now, to get the latest news, updates, and professional development opportunities delivered to your inbox every Tuesday. At many camps, counselors and staff use nicknames rather than their own names. We strongly recommend using Edge, Chrome 70+, Safari 5.x+ and Firefox 5.x+. Social Summer Camp provides the tools and expertise that summer camps and schools need to build, manage, and monetize social media campaigns. This particular technique allows a bit more time for folks to talk about themselves, and also provides a kinesthetic activity coupled with a verbal activity for exploring some multiple intelligence opportunities and whole brain learning possibilities. Parents and caregivers trust you and your staff with the wellbeing of their children. Summer Staff Training - Welcome to Maine Recreation & Park Association 5. Completely digitize the application process with customizable forms. This tool provides four checklists and a resources list that camp and youth program administrators can use to operate camps while preventing the spread of COVID-19 and protecting campers, their families, staff, and ADA Camp - American Diabetes Association | Research, Education, Advocacy What do I highlight in my summer camp staff training manual? Create your own online staff training packages with ACA's well-established and ever growing virtual learning portfolio. The training process starts the moment the staffer is hired. Each staffer will take turns holding the string. Other. Leadership by example. RESOURCES CAMP DIRECTOR RESOURCES Camp Director Resources Page This page is meant to have a place for directors of local council camps to access a variety of resources that may help your camp operation. 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! Continue until all facts have successfully been matched to a staffer. 8 Videos to Add to Your Staff Training May 5, 2019 Recently I ran a round table and one of the questions was, "What videos do you like to incorporate into your staff training?" Here is a list of videos that were suggested by other camp professionals to show during staff training. The Summer Way - Kidventure : Best Kids Summer Camps In Texas How do I streamline the summer camp staff training process with camp management software? A unique gift or trinket. Although it might be tempting, winging it is never advised when it comes to professional development in any field. Staff Training Blog The Summer Camp Society Camp provides the ideal setting for the kind of active . . Or, maybe you are behind on getting your staff trained. Have some of your best new staff reviews and see if theyd make any tweaks to your sales approach. ACA has compiled a manual of evidence-based guidance of summer camp training. Make sure to include a section that provides a detailed description of your camp's basic information and policies. We first posted our Diet-Free Camp Culture Staff Training in May 2019. Empathy is the focus in all of our consulting. A 501(c)(3) Organization. Learn the skills you need to succeed. The staffers should feel comfortable discussing their work experience with you in a safe, professional environment. Originally published in the 2009 March/April issue ofCamping Magazine. Summer camp staff training activities are very important for the creation and cultivation of camp culture.