Meet Your Camp Director - Part 1 - First Class Counselors #67

11/23/23 • 62 min

First Class Counselors

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/meet-your-camp-director-1

Part 1 - What we got wrong...

Just who is that person walking around with a clipboard all day?

To most Camp Counselors, the Camp Director is a strange and mythical creature. They’re like a teacher...but completely different. They’re like a boss...but definitely not in the traditional sense.

So who are they?

In this first of a series of episodes, we break down some of the assumptions we had about our Camp Directors growing up, and now, 15(ish) years later, what was (and mostly wasn’t) correct about those assumptions.

Here are some of the assumptions we cover:

Is my Director judging every singly thing I do? Are they going to fire me for messing up?
I bet they are too busy to help me.
All they think about is camp. They definitely don’t have a life outside of camp.
All they care about is money!
They are the WORST communicators

Have you ever had any of those thoughts about your Camp Director? Then this episode is for you!

E.G.E.L - Ever Growing Ever Learning

Level up your Camp Counselor skills with these resources!

Oliver: 3 tips for all camp schedule making -
1. Timely- give it out early
2. 1-page story
3. Delivery dress up
Matt: Trust Tube from Ultimate Camp Resource https://ultimatecampresource.com/team-building-activities/trust-activities/trust-tube/

Thanks to our sponsor!

Ultimate Camp Resource

Visit UltimateCampResource.com for 1,000+ free camp games, songs, skits, activities, and more! Follow us on social at fb: ulticamp | IG: ultimatecampresource | TT: ultimatecampresource | YT: ultimatecampresource.

Download a free games e-book here: https://itsacampthing.com/collections/e-books/products/40-camp-games-pdf

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/meet-your-camp-director-1

Part 1 - What we got wrong...

Just who is that person walking around with a clipboard all day?

So who are they?

Here are some of the assumptions we cover:

Is my Director judging every singly thing I do? Are they going to fire me for messing up?
I bet they are too busy to help me.
All they think about is camp. They definitely don’t have a life outside of camp.
All they care about is money!
They are the WORST communicators

Have you ever had any of those thoughts about your Camp Director? Then this episode is for you!

E.G.E.L - Ever Growing Ever Learning

Level up your Camp Counselor skills with these resources!

Oliver: 3 tips for all camp schedule making -
1. Timely- give it out early
2. 1-page story
3. Delivery dress up
Matt: Trust Tube from Ultimate Camp Resource https://ultimatecampresource.com/team-building-activities/trust-activities/trust-tube/

Thanks to our sponsor!

Ultimate Camp Resource

Download a free games e-book here: https://itsacampthing.com/collections/e-books/products/40-camp-games-pdf

Previous Episode

How to Talk to Adults - First Class Counselors #66

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/how-to-talk-to-adults

You didn’t sign up to be a camp counsellor because you loved talking to adults...right?

In the world of a camp counselor, there is no other part of the job that is simultaneously as short and as important as the interactions you have with the adults that find their way on site.

Whether it’s parents, caregivers, alumni or your camp management, being able to navigate these interactions is essential. A counselor that can make and hold a great conversation with these folks will not only give a great impression of themselves but of the camp they represent.

This definitely takes practice, but we’re here to give you the insider tips and give you a head start on this all-important skill.

In this episode, we cover:

How to Choose Your Audience - Why we have to adjust the way we speak.
How to talk to Parents
- The F.O.R.D method. family, occupation, recreation, dreams
How to Talk to Your Camp Director / Other Adult Supervisor

This is required listening for every camp counselor.

E.G.E.L - Ever Growing Ever Learning

Oliver: Monarch - from Ultimate Camp Resource
Matt: Online Outdoor Gear Retail Stores
- https://www.thelasthunt.com/ (Canadian)
- https://www.outdooroutlet.com/ (American)
- https://www.northwestoutlet.com/brands/carhartt/ (American)

Thanks to our sponsor!

Ultimate Camp Resource

Download a free games e-book here: https://itsacampthing.com/collections/e-books/products/40-camp-games-pdf

Next Episode

Wait...Is This a Cult? - Ceremonies and Traditions at Summer Camp - First Class Counselors #68

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/camp-is-a-cult

Summer camp is culty - but in a good way, we swear!

If you are new to summer camp and reading this, you may not get the whole “cult” angle.

It’s a common joke amongst experienced camp staff and directors that camp is essentially a cult. There are many reasons for this, but the main one is how intentional we are with the ceremonies and traditions we have at camp.

This ranges from as basic as gathering as a camp in the morning to share an inspirational thought, to literal chanting and burning of the camp logo on a lake. Yes, seriously.

Every camp is different, but what makes them the same is that each of them are creating their own immersive “world” for people to live in. These “worlds” have rules, norms, traditions and ceremonies that are integral to helping people feel welcome and wanting to stay a part of it.

Tune into this episode to hear Oliver and Matt break down:

An overview of ceremonies and tradition at camp. What are they and Why do camps use and have these?
How do these translate to camp being “culty”?
What is your role as a Camp Counselor in this - what happens if you aren’t fully bought in? What if you are?