What Do Summer Camp Counselors Do? 10 Tips
A camp counselor is an individual responsible for leading, planning, setting goals, and implementing programs during camp sessions. Additionally, the professional should have capabilities to offer general safety and help campers in skills achievement. Therefore, camp counselors should have the skills to help, educate campers, and enhance growth and development without discriminating. Summer camp counselors provide excellent outdoor recreational and educational experiences to the kids, youths, and adult campers. They must possess a variety of values that include honesty, responsibility, caring, and respect for everyone. Many people desire to become summer camp counselors but fail because they lack the values mentioned above or traits. These ten tips in the article below will help you to be an excellent summer camp counselor.
1. Gather Information about what the Job Entails
Counseling is a fantastic experience, but it requires hard work and extraordinary determination. If you want to become a successful summer camp counselor, it is advisable first to be aware of the requirement of the job. It includes teaching, monitoring, planning, and empowering campers during camping periods. You should note that campers trust counselors on many things. Therefore, you should have excellent communication skills and a caring heart.
2. Seek Advice From Experienced Counselors and Prepare
You should consult experienced summer camp counselors near your locality. They will guide you on the requirements of the job. They will also advise you on the best counseling methods to use. Then, prepare yourself for the big job. Preparation entails checking each day’s schedule before the activities commence. Additionally, you should prepare the campers and have a perfect program to follow to avoid confusion during the counseling process.
3. Attend Training Sessions and Pay Attention
Many summer camps offer training to the staff members frequently before events begin. During these training sessions, you should be attentive to get ideas on how the camp runs. Additionally, you should feel free to ask questions on the key areas that you fail to understand. You should know all the emergency procedures and other beneficial things about the camp so that you can be able to help campers in times of need.
4. Be a Close Friend with Other Qualified Counselors
If you walk with other experienced summer camp counselors, you will acquire leadership and counseling skills from them. Additionally, you will gain core competencies that you can use to handle different types of situations with campers. You should watch the activities of other counselors and copy the best aspects about them. The process will help you to become a reliable summer camp counselor.
5. Keep the Schedule of the Camp in Your Memory
It is advisable to always carry the schedule of the camp with you so that you can remain conversant with all the events and activities. You should lead the campers; therefore, you should provide answers to their questions concerning the schedule and activities of the camp. The process will prove how competent you are and gain you more respect from the campers and the management of the camp.
6. Memorize the Names of the Campers
Even if memorizing names of people can be a challenging process, it is a recommendable one if you want to be a good summer camp counselor. It sounds awkward to call John by Peter’s name and vice versa. It may make the campers feel devalued by calling them wrong names, and you may lose their respect. Therefore, you should play name games to master them efficiently.
7. Engage all the Campers and Let Everyone in the Group get your Attention
If you want to become a reputable summer camp counselor, you should avoid favoritism. The aspect may ruin your connection with the group. However, you should embrace welfare and include everyone in your conversations. Additionally, if you spot a lost or disconnected camper, you should try to engage him or her. The process will boost oneness in the group.
8. Have Team Building Skills
Camp counseling cannot be complete without team building. You need to be a reliable team builder to become a good summer camp counselor. The aspect will enable you to unite campers all the time. They will play games together and perform other activities at the campsite as a team. Do not split kids or other campers against each other. You should show them the benefits of working together.
9. Show Equal Treatment and Respect to Campers
Campers require equal treatment, honesty, and respect. These are essential values that you should possess to be a good summer camp counselor. Treating them perfectly and equally will eliminate discrimination and enhance unity in the group. They will also show you respect and obey your instructions during camping sessions.
10. Be a Role Model and Handle Dreaded Campers Wisely
You behaviors should be remarkable to become a reliable summer camp counselor. You should not tell campers to respect each and wake up on time while you are doing vice versa. You should lead by example. Additionally, you should note that every group has a dread and disobedient person. You should discipline those individuals wisely and prevent their behaviors from contaminating other committed campers.