1. The 3 Life Changers of Summer Camp
Curt “Moose” Jackson

2. An Austrian

3. The 3 Life Changers of Camp
Environment
Firsts
Relationships

4. The 3 Life Changers of Camp
ENVIRONMENT

5. Environment Physical Property Activities Layout Safety
Working Condition
Cleanliness
Whimsy

6. Environment
VS.

7. Environment – Physical Property
Working Condition
Program Supplies
Restrooms
Dining Hall
Cabins
Vehicles
Waterfront
Pool
Walkie Talkies
Overnight Gear
Nature Center

8. Environment
VS.

9. Environment – Physical Property
Cleanliness
Program Supplies
Restrooms
Dining Hall
Cabins
Vehicles
Waterfront
Pool
Behind buildings

10. Environment
VS.

11. Environment – Physical Property
Whimsy
Camp Signs
Cabin Names
Dining Hall
Special Events
Apparel
Camp Store

12. Environment – Physical Property

13. Environment – Physical Property

14. Environment – Physical Property

15. Environment Organization Signing In Down Time Dining Hall
Activity Sessions
Nurse’s Station

16. Environment Staff Smiling Attentive Fun Teamwork Supportive
Take Initiative
Don’t Appear to be Stressed Out
Do as I Do

17. Environment
VS.

18. Environment Culture Respect Traditions Camp Names Recycle and Reuse
Unplugged
Love of Art and Nature
Everyone Tries Their Best
Supportive and Encouraging Environment
Celebrating Camper Accomplishments
Empowering

19. Environment Program (activities, events, and everything in between)
Fun
Safe
Memorable
Exciting
Colorful
Positive
Magical
Happiest Place on Earth

20. Environment How can the camp environment change lives?
As adults former campers will appreciate the organization, cleanliness, culture of camp.
It can help develop imagination, positive and creative thinking.
A love of the outdoors.
Empowerment
Campers are more open to change.
Ropes
Staff
Nature

21. The 3 Life Changers of Camp
FIRSTS

22. Firsts Activities Community Teachable Moments Relationships
Feeling a Part of a Group
Feeling Emotionally Safe
Experiencing Nature
Being Away from Home/Family

23. Firsts Activities Archery Catching a Fish Riding a Horse Acting
Deep End of Pool
Kayaking/Sailing
Rock Climbing

24. Firsts Community Feeling Safe in a Group Bonding
Connecting with Others
Dining Etiquette
Community Showers
Sleeping and Living with Others
Respecting Others in a Close Community

25. Firsts Teachable Moments Wildlife/Nature
When we as adults make mistakes we can admit and apologize
Consequences

26. Firsts
Team building
Debriefing
Leadership
Teamwork
Being heard

27. Firsts Other Receiving applause Making a touchdown
Hearing a well told story
Off of a diving board

28. The 3 Life Changers of Camp
RELATIONSHIPS

29. Relationships
Camper to Camper
Staff to Camper

30. Relationships Camper to Camper Shared Interests Kindness
Making Friends (#1 reason kids come back to camp)
Think about when you went to a new school. Making new friends can be scary.
Help campers make friends with lots of icebreakers and questions (favorite movie).

31. Relationships Staff to Camper
Listening (kids need to be heard and appreciated)
Supportive
Moral
Fun
Understanding
Positive
Engaging
A Teacher
Role model / mentor
Don't have a favorite

32. Relationships
Dog Whisperer - Be the Pack Leader

34. Relationships Dog Whisperer - Be the Pack Leader
Calm-Assertive Leadership
Not Passive
Not Aggressive
Setting rules, boundaries and limitations
Exercise, discipline, affection
Protect your pack
Boredom = possible trouble

35. Set Goals / Change Lives
To have every camper make two good friends
To not allow any teasing
To encourage each camper in my group at least once per day.
To engage each and every camper of my group daily
To applaud my campers daily
To be a Pack Leader
To look for positive values - in Dodgeball a kid gets hit and goes out without being told (honesty/fair play), a kid blocks a ball from hitting another (protection/community)

36. Training Staff
Spend time training your staff to think of themselves as mentors with the power to change lives.
Have them look for teachable moments.
Have them find out what activities are new to each camper so they can make sure that experience is awesome.
Have them look at camp through different lenses:
New Camper
Return Camper
Parent
Director
Be an example

37. The 3 Life Changers of Camp
Environment
Firsts
Relationships

38. Facebook: Summer Camp Program Director
RecreationPros.com
SummerCampProgramDirector.com
Pinterest/SummerCampProgramDirector.com
Facebook: Summer Camp Program Director

39. Enjoy Your
Summer!