D ebriefing Dr. Jeanie Edwards-Gergen, Camp Director, Royal Family Kids’ Camps

Developing a Debriefing Program at Royal Family Kids Camp Jeanie Edwards-Gergen Professor Portland State University Jeanie Edwards-Gergen Professor Portland State University

Camp Statistics l Camp is held for one week l Coed camp. Children ages 6-12 l 26 boys and 26 girls l Variety of ethnic, cultural, racial and religious backgrounds l Many of the children have experienced serious neglect and abuse l Camp is held for one week l Coed camp. Children ages 6-12 l 26 boys and 26 girls l Variety of ethnic, cultural, racial and religious backgrounds l Many of the children have experienced serious neglect and abuse

Camp Statistics

RFKC is an Emotional Experience for all l Counselors and staff experience many emotions l Difficulty with closure l Staff and counselors develop and nurture a bond l After camp it may be difficult for staff to release emotions l Counselors and staff experience many emotions l Difficulty with closure l Staff and counselors develop and nurture a bond l After camp it may be difficult for staff to release emotions

l Some counselors experience intense feelings regarding the children and their difficulties l Difficulties around not being able to see the child again or have a picture of the child l Some counselors experience intense feelings regarding the children and their difficulties l Difficulties around not being able to see the child again or have a picture of the child

Why a Debriefing l Due to the many emotions experienced at camp and stress from camper behavior l Lack of skills to deal with release l Difficulties with closure l Combination of exhaustion and feelings of hopelessness l Counselors need a way to experience closure l Debriefing is Biblical! l Due to the many emotions experienced at camp and stress from camper behavior l Lack of skills to deal with release l Difficulties with closure l Combination of exhaustion and feelings of hopelessness l Counselors need a way to experience closure l Debriefing is Biblical!

The Process l Developed a pre-camp survey l Analyzed the needs to be met l Reviewed current literature l Sought out existing models l Developed our debriefing program l Developed a post survey to evaluate debriefing process l Developed a pre-camp survey l Analyzed the needs to be met l Reviewed current literature l Sought out existing models l Developed our debriefing program l Developed a post survey to evaluate debriefing process

Examples of Debriefing Models l Multiple Stressor Debriefing Model l Critical Incident Stress Model (CISD) l International Training Partners Model l Critical Event Debriefing (CED) l San Bernardino Counseling Team Model l Multiple Stressor Debriefing Model l Critical Incident Stress Model (CISD) l International Training Partners Model l Critical Event Debriefing (CED) l San Bernardino Counseling Team Model

Phase III: Sharing coping strategies Multiple Stressor Debriefing Model Phase I: Disclosing of events Phase II: Feeling and reactions Phase IV: Termination Used by Red Cross

Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Model (CISD) Used by NW Medical Teams 7 Phases Introduction Fact phase Thought phase Reaction phase Symptom phase Teaching phase Re-entry phase

International Training Partners l Procedure (facts) l Process (feelings) l Perspective (objective Look) l Prayer (acknowledging God as healer) l Planning (future)

Critical Event Debriefing (CED ) l Developed for Soldiers l Begins 8-72 hours after traumatic event l Conducted by a professional team of debriefers l Developed for Soldiers l Begins 8-72 hours after traumatic event l Conducted by a professional team of debriefers

San Bernardino Counseling Team Model l Introduction l Fact l Thought l Reaction l Symptoms l Unfinished Business l Teaching l Wrap-up l Round Robin l Introduction l Fact l Thought l Reaction l Symptoms l Unfinished Business l Teaching l Wrap-up l Round Robin

Review of Debriefing Models Q Rules they had in common l Confidentiality l Voluntary participation l No breaks l Not a counseling session l Not a time for criticism Q Rules they had in common l Confidentiality l Voluntary participation l No breaks l Not a counseling session l Not a time for criticism

What we did

Taught our staff about debriefing l Telling of a story l Complete with experiences and feelings from individual points of view l Debriefing is a Biblical concept: l Acts 14:27 l Acts 11:4ff l Ephesians 6:21 l Thessalonians 3: 1-6 l Telling of a story l Complete with experiences and feelings from individual points of view l Debriefing is a Biblical concept: l Acts 14:27 l Acts 11:4ff l Ephesians 6:21 l Thessalonians 3: 1-6

Trained Small Group Facilitators l The idea of debriefing is such a complex process, and requires a number of important skills, which include an effective Facilitator to collaborate the events of the process

Established Debriefing Format  Procedure (Sharing Facts)  Process (Sharing Feelings)  Perspective (Reflect on your own reactions)  Prayer (Giving feelings/situations to God)  Planning (Looking to the future)  Procedure (Sharing Facts)  Process (Sharing Feelings)  Perspective (Reflect on your own reactions)  Prayer (Giving feelings/situations to God)  Planning (Looking to the future)

Ground Rules m Voluntary Participation m Remain in room until meeting is over m No breaks will be taken m No cell phones/pagers are allowed m Total confidentiality m Format is rotation clockwise order m Speak only about your own experiences and feelings m Voluntary Participation m Remain in room until meeting is over m No breaks will be taken m No cell phones/pagers are allowed m Total confidentiality m Format is rotation clockwise order m Speak only about your own experiences and feelings

Ground Rules m Each member listen attentively m Be courteous do not interrupt m Do not respond to other’s experiences m Varied feelings and experiences are normal m Respect that everyone is equal though at a different place with the week

Role of Facilitators m Encourage confidentiality m Encourage active participation m Facilitate group discussion m Focus on participants needs- not team needs m Listen, inform, stabilize and recover m Encourage confidentiality m Encourage active participation m Facilitate group discussion m Focus on participants needs- not team needs m Listen, inform, stabilize and recover

Stages of debriefing m Procedure: m “What was was the best part of camp” m “What was the hardest part of camp” m Process: m “What thoughts/reactions/ emotions did you have in conjunction with your highs you have in conjunction with your highs and lows of the week” and lows of the week” m Procedure: m “What was was the best part of camp” m “What was the hardest part of camp” m Process: m “What thoughts/reactions/ emotions did you have in conjunction with your highs you have in conjunction with your highs and lows of the week” and lows of the week”

Stages of debriefing m Perspective: m “What would you have done differently or m changed during your week at camp?” m Prayer: m Group facilitator’s leads in prayer m Planning: m “Have you grown through this experience?” m “What do you hope to take from this experience to better m yourself and bring back to camp next year?” m “Where do you see yourself next year?” m “What Change would you make to better serve our kids?” m Perspective: m “What would you have done differently or m changed during your week at camp?” m Prayer: m Group facilitator’s leads in prayer m Planning: m “Have you grown through this experience?” m “What do you hope to take from this experience to better m yourself and bring back to camp next year?” m “Where do you see yourself next year?” m “What Change would you make to better serve our kids?”

Stages of Debriefing m Staff Questionnaire: m A chance to give written feedback, m suggestions and evaluative comments. m A change to share frustrations, concerns m and to ‘let go’ m Staff Questionnaire: m A chance to give written feedback, m suggestions and evaluative comments. m A change to share frustrations, concerns m and to ‘let go’