Five Questions To Ask About The Camp Counsellors
This article, the second in our series (previously) of 5 Questions posts, will focus on the things that you should ask a Camp Director about his/her counsellors. Both the toughest and most rewarding position at summer camp, good counsellors possess an unique set of talents. A Camp Director who can answer these questions with confidence will help you feel great about your summer camp choice.
I solicited some expert help with these so that you can get an idea of the type of answers that you should hear. I’d like to thank Beth Allison, a director with 15 years of experience directing at Glen Mhor Camp and the CAIRN Presbyterian Camping & Retreat Centres (and my wife!), for her help.
Our Kids’ Five Questions To Ask About The Camp Counsellors
What are you, as a Director, looking for in a staff member? I am looking for a young adult who is very involved in making the world a better place: a variety of clubs at school, church, sports, teaching opportunities with children (swimming instructor, Sunday school teacher, volunteer at Boys or Girls club, etc.). He or she should have varied interests (photography, art, nature, etc.) and be involved in the community (environmental issues, politics, volunteering), etc.
I want staff members who understand children and teens and their needs and concerns. Someone with a camping background is ideal but not necessary — great staff members have come from no camp background at all!
Most of all I want someone who cares. I can teach them the necessary skills but they must possess the right attitude and the desire to make a real difference with their summer.
What are the specifics involved in the hiring process? Staff members are required to apply every year, even if they are returning staff. The application is filled with new questions each time which help to determine how the staff member has grown throughout the school year and why he or she wishes to return. References are required for all staff members. A hiring day or interview day is a must. All staff members are put through activities and situations which help to determine whether or not they are suitable for the position. Online activity by each staff member is monitored and checked. Additionally, contact is kept up throughout the year with returning staff members and LITs wishing to become staff members to ensure they are truly applying for all the right reasons.
What, if anything, are returning staff members encouraged to do for camp between summers? I always encourage a staff member to increase her/his certifications of hard skills (climbing, swimming, ropes, canoeing, sailing, etc.) and to take the opportunities to learn new soft skills. I am always looking for a very well-rounded staff. Staff members are the best form of advertisement for camp so their help in getting the word out and in presenting themselves in the most professional manner is something I always encourage and expect.
How long is training and what specific sessions are taught? Training begins before staff even apply. Expectations are set out in the application and during the hiring day of how our community is run.
- A weekend in the spring in the Greater Toronto Area is set aside for group building and an opportunity for a successful group experience.
- A spring orientation weekend is held at the camp in early May to begin the training process.
- A minimum of seven day’s training must be completed by all staff members prior to the start of summer camp. Sessions include all of our hard skills, the necessary soft skills required by staff members (communication, consensus decision making, conflict resolution, etc.), training on all the important issues children deal with (ex. bullying, child abuse) and training on how to teach creatively, etc.
- Online training modules are also completed by staff members before they begin leadership training at the end of June.
- Training continues throughout the summer with staff meetings, experiential learning times set aside each week and the mid-summer 24 hour in-service.
Why do these young people want to be counsellors at your camp? They love children, the camp philosophy and they fully understand and appreciate the camping experience. They want to work hard to make a real difference in the lives of young people and to give them back what they have experienced in their lives.
Beth Allison is a Camp Consultant, Author and Leadership Training Specialist. For more information you can contact her through her website: http://www.bethallison.org/
