Day Camp Counselor Training

What do counselors do? Work directly with the children Move them through activities while managing behavior Build relationships of trust and respect

Who makes a good counselor? Works well with children and adults Has fun but establishes boundaries Promotes good hygiene and nutrition Empowers others Has conflict resolution and behavior management skills Is a positive role models Has good communication and problem solving skills Is a team player

Basic Responsibilities Camper Wellbeing Make sure campers are safe, happy and respected Create a safe environment physically, mentally and emotionally Provide supervision You are responsible for the behavior management of the campers you are assigned at all times However, if you see a camper in need, lending a helping hand to another counselor is always encouraged

Morning: Prepare for afternoon activities/field trips Lend a helping hand in the Learning Centers Facilitate snack and watch campers during that time so that teachers can have a break Lunch: Eat with the children Once they are finished, play games, sing songs or read until afternoon activities Afternoon: Attend daily field trips Supervise, participate, and coordinate activities (as determined by your director)

Meal Times Eat with the children and promote conversation regarding positive things that happened during the day, compliment as much as possible Encourage manners: say “Please,” and “Thank you” Encourage the use of silverware Nutrition and no-waste focus: When going through the food line, encourage healthy choices and modest portions, making clear that seconds may be available Help children clean up and place dishes, trash and recyclables in the correct places If required by the facility, counselors and their campers may be responsible for cleaning the dining area Wiping down tables, sweeping and mopping Using a chart with rotations is most effective

Activities Planning Large group games in the afternoon Multiple back-up plans for rainy days Short games on the fly for awkward hiccups in the schedule Execution Participation by all counselors is required Kids will look to you if you are excited, they will be as well if you are bored or not engaged, they will follow which can lead to behavioral issues

Actions and Consequences You should control the environment, not react to it Clearly communicate your expectations to campers Establish rules and consequences on the first day and maintain them throughout the week Be consistent in situations and among children Be patient and listen to the campers Help campers communicate through conflicts Teach the child to self-regulate and self-analyze by asking “yes” and “no” questions to determine the root of the problem Help campers to understand that they control the outcome of situations by the choices they make Staff members should not contradict one another

Miscellaneous Tips and Tricks Establish your authority at the beginning of the week to encourage respect Other than a few minutes of free time between activities, there should be no unplanned downtime because it can lead to loss of control Be aware that by Wednesday many campers and volunteers will be tired. Make an effort to maintain your energy so that the campers will follow. Be mindful of your need for rest so that you can perform at your best Remember: IT’S ALL ABOUT THE KIDS!!

Non-negotiable’s No alcohol, even if you are 21+ If you smoke and are 18+, NEVER let the kids see you smoking (it is better if you avoid smoking all together) Leaving camp property after children arrive is not allowed Do not use obscene or explicit language in front of the campers No PDA Phones/electronic devices are prohibited around children (it is best to put them away for the week)

Counselor Downtime The recommendation is that counselors should be present all day in order to build stronger relationships with the children. However, it is at the discretion of the director Some day camps only require counselors to be present from 12-4pm However, having counselors present during the morning helps build their relationships with the children Whenever you feel that you need a break because you are feeling overwhelmed, notify the head counselor Ask for help if and when you need it