I'm going to be a camp counselor this year so advice?

Question

I'm an only child, so I don't really know how to react to crying kids, kids fighting over me, etc. It's a learning experience for me!! I've gone to this camp for years and know how kids act to the staff, so what do I do when in these situations? Do I favor the good kids? Do I discipline them? help help

Answer 1

what camp is it? what kind of camp is it? these can help you learn what you will face. I am triing to be a CIT at my favroite camp this summer. CIT is a 2 week training cource for teens so that they can work at the camp the next summer. if you want to talk about camps and some of the other things I might can answer some more questions.

basicly you will learn very fast what to do and what not to do. the camp should give you some training.

Answer 2

What kind of kids will you be supervising? Age and sex can make a difference as to whether you want to come across as an Army sergeant (commanding, authoritative) or a substitute Mommy (tender, caring).

If older than toddlers, expect some rough-housing in the cabin and watch out that they don't pick on the "runt of the litter." If they do, give him/her some extra attention of yours. (There is always one child who in some way is less capable than the others, but usually has some ability or trait that you can build her/his esteem on.) You might also find that one child is a natural leader and you might enlist his/her support in ensuring that all your charges enjoy the camp experience.

I expect you will meet with other counselors and the camp administrator before the kids arrive. You should get instructions then. Don't be shy about asking questions.

Answer 3

First, the facility you are working at or for should offer training. Second be prepared for anything. You have to be ready for all that you mentioned and more. I run summer Day camps and the hardest thing to do is control other people's kids. Any one who doesn't appreciate teachers needs to spend a week at a camp with a bunch of other people's kids :*)
Next, you need to be consistent. Follow and enforce the rules equally. If you favor a few kids, that just makes the others act worse. Same punishment for same infractions.
Third, if you don't know lots of little songs/cheers/easy to do keep em busy activities for when they are waiting to take a turn and such, learn some. Look for websites like the ones I listed below for neat easy to do things to keep em busy and having fun.

Answer 4

I was a camp counsellor when i was 16 and it was an experience I havent forgotten...You will have up and down days but your leader should help you with the disipline tactics with the children you are with...Thats what happened at the camp I went to...Other than that show the kids that you are in charge and that there can be consequences to their behaviour example no sing along that night etc....Hope this helps and Good Luck!!!!

Answer 5

you will have a lot of fun with this. i have done summercamp for 9 years now and each years it just seems to get better. treat kids fairly and firmly. the place you are working at should have all of the rules and stuff like that and normally places like that will train you. don't worry about the kids, they will love you and you will absolutely fall in love with them too. i did. i seen them as a member of my family and that is the way i will see them long after i'm gone. you are lucky to have this experience. you will be alright. trust me. have fun and enjoy the summer. the kids are very lucky to have you. good luck.

Answer 6

what kind of camp and for how long will the kids be there? you usaul have to be a CIT before hand, but i mean dont really favor anyone, and dont discipline then either, like set teh guide lines and follow them.

Answer 7

Oh dear, you will love it. To prepare a little bit some basic info...

You will likely not be able to discipline kids, but you will be trained in how to handle things, usually that is someone else's job, or you decide with your counselling team. I can tell you that rewards are much better than punishment, try to catch em being good as much as possible and they will bust their butts to keep pleasing you.

As for attention, it is your most precious tool. Withdraw it when you can if you think someone is being inappropriate and they want you to notice or be shocked. If a sit-down is necessary, take them aside away from the other kids. Be firm and direct with what you say, addressing the child's behavior, NOT him as a person, and encourage and forgive at the end. Short and simple and then let it go.

Always always role model what you want to see in the children. Respect, attention when they speak, don't interrupt, appropriate table manners, hygiene, and safety with things like life jackets and sunscreen, staying busy, trying new things, and participating in activities instead of being lazy or sitting out. Kids will do these things if you set it up from the beginning as the cool thing to do. When it comes to making sure everyone did certain things like brushing teeth, etc you can never go wrong by gathering the children with whatever supplies, and doing it all together as a group, make it a party, make it fun.

You will likely be tugged in all kinds of directions, sometimes a kid will need more than the other. I have always aimed for not equal but fair treatment of all the kids. For instance if you have a kid that is popular and one that isn't, you might try to get the unpopular one to participate more with you there a little more, to be his buddy, pick him for a team, etc. If you demonstrate that you think the kid is cool, the other kids are likely to believe you. Don't favor the good kids, it will only make the bad kids act worse and get the good kids to dislike them. Don't choose sides in disagreements, and let them work out any squabbles without giving them all the answers. You can be present for these conversations, but you want to participate as little as possible.

If you have kids acting out or getting rowdy, chances are they aren't busy enough. Keep them moving, wear them out during the day with plenty of moving around, and send them to bed tired.

Regarding certain situations. These might sound scary and I don't want to frighten you but you do need to know how to handle stuff like this when dealing with children.

Never put yourself in the position of being alone with a child, especially at night, especially in bathroom or shower situations. This is unsafe for YOU. You can be accused of something inappropriate and it usually does NOT favor the adult, and if alone, you have no backup to say you weren't being abusive. You don't have to panic, you just have to keep eyes on what is going on and make sure you are always involved in a group, preferably with another staff member or at least two other kids.

You can never ever go wrong with asking questions. If a kid is upset, or in a dilemma, or homesick, etc you can ask all kinds of questions and then try to rephrase what they said so they know you heard them. You don't have to offer any advice...just be there to listen and figure out their own answers.

If you have a child tell you anything that makes you uncomfortable in the least report it to your supervisor immediately. Examples are: abuse at home, being in love with you, drug problems, suicidal thoughts, any deep dark secrets that they confide in you. Make sure when you notice that the conversation is heading this way, that you tell them you are glad they are talking to you but you may not be able to keep their secrets. Otherwise when you do tell, they will feel betrayed. The reason you must tell your supervisor is that SOMEONE at that camp is a mandatory reporter for abuse, or knows how to help more than you can...since they rely on you for everyday eyes and ears on the children, they need you to tell these things if you stumble on them.

For touchy situations like bedwetting or period accident with the girls, handle it privately and reassure that it is no big deal. You might bring extra young-girl size supplies to offer for any emergencies. Help them clean up the mess but they should help too, it lets them know they can solve own problems.

Other touchy situations, like sexually inappropriate behavior, handle it privately and make sure the expectations are clear with as little fuss as possible and report it to your supervisor.

For outings and being away, know your limitations of your ability to supervise and lead the activity. You might not be able to handle a campout, for example, but you can handle your cabin in an all camp activity with other staff around. Know what your skills allow you to do. If you can't lifeguard, you will NOT take them swimming for example. Kids tend to act different in special isolated from everyone else situations. Sometimes it is a real team building thing, and sometimes things go terribly wrong and you need to know your own limit, including when to pack it in and bring your group back, or when and how to call for help.

If the kids have a way to spend money, and if this isn't an ultra wealthy kids camp, you will always have a kid that can't buy as much at the camp store, or the snack area, or a teeshirt at the end, as the other kids can. Handle these situations carefully. Don't call attention to their situation, but also don't extend yourself to helping them with money of your own if you can't afford it, or iif you don't want everyone else to know and expect the same treatment. You might talk to the camp director about making an anonymous donation to his account so there is money available for certain everyday purchases but not over the top...and the kids should never ever know.

If there is an issue of missing or possibly stolen items, get some extra help to find out what happened.

That's about all I can offer as far as while you are there. If this is a special skills camp, make sure you brush up so you are confident in showing kids how to do things.

For overall childcare experience, I would offer my services as a short time babysitter for school aged children, for say, an evening, or an overnight with parents there, or an hour while mom goes to the store. This will get your feet wet. If you can't do that, you want to tag along with a friend when they babysit, and let her teach you what she is doing. You might also explain your situation and ask to hang around a good mom while she deals with her kids and pick her brain if you have questions how she decided what to do. And ask your OWN mom to tell you things too, maybe about how she dealt with YOU as a kid.