Tim and I have also been discussing several upcoming events like Wellness follow-ups and youth leadership programs. He wants me to take the lead in working with the kids to become better leaders.
I've been assigned the task of finishing some statistics from the exit surveys given to the campers at the end of camp. This involves open-ended questions as well as a Liker-scale concerning different areas of camper qualities like friendship, communication, confidence, etc. The campers seem to love Jameson Camp. The kids said they loved swimming and creek walking, but a common complaint was the food.
I have familiarized myself with a ton of literature being kept in the summer office of JC. There are organized binders full of counselor comments, ideas for activities, directions to state parks, information about knot tieing, fire building, tent set-up, and camp safety.
I took some useful notes on the contents of the binders that will help me when I have to refer back to them. There were two binders for youth leaders known as CIT's (Counselors in training). These contained things like: creative planning ideas, session layouts, worksheets for the kids, and directions to the IMA. Another set of binders I liked was the ACE () off-site and program binders. These volumes contained things like: budgeting for trips, equipment for camp-outs, ACA (American Camp Association) guidelines, menu planning, brochures for state parks and past places visited in Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, and a record of past activities. The additional binders were dedicated to the subgroups of Counselors in training: JC (Jameson Camp) Juniors, ACE 1, ACE 2 and potential youth leaders. Since we work in the program office, all the binders are kept here.
I've also been introduced to some helpful books. I was assigned to read a book called "How to talk so kids will listen and listen so kids will talk." Much of it was review from social work courses, but I was impressed with the simplification of some skills.
I can't wait to get a better idea about the events being planned for the return of the youth leaders to camp.
2 comments:
Well it sounds like you are off to a great start! I imagine the other students are jealous of the awesome atmosphere and activities that you get to participate in engaging students at the camp...it sounds wonderful!
As we move forward, please do a weekly posting...label Week 3, Week 4, etc., and any other days you post are a bonus. Are you doing a literature review for adventure therapy? That would be a great learning plan product. :)
What is your role at the camp? Are you considered a counselor? What are the other roles?
Erika
My role at the camp is complicated. When the kids are there, I'm looked at as a counselor or facilitator. Since I work closely under the well-respected program director, the kids are respectful to me as an authority figure.
Other times I'm simply called "our social work intern."
The staff are very welcoming and helpful. They are quite laid-back, and eager to see what responsibilities will be in my hands which I am yet unable to fully explain.
Behind the scenes I will be planning the events and gathering items/budgeting for get-togethers like the Halloween Happening, Christmas event, and months that have what are called Follow-ups where youth leaders return to camp to learn leadership skills.
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