What To Expect

Every summer in the States, over 12,000 organised youth camps cater for up to 7 million children. Campers may attend camp for one to eight weeks. The characteristic common to all camps, without exception, is their focus on the well being and welfare of the campers. Camping does not exist for the comfort or benefit of the international staff. The Counsellor's priority is the welfare of the campers.

Important to remember at any camp

Your first few days at camp are going to be a completely new way of life. Not only are you going to be tired and jet lagged from the time change, you are going to be required to adapt to a way of living that is completely foreign to you. Remember that this is why you signed up for Camp America! You want to try new things and meet new people! Something else to remember is that your camp director might be busy during your first few days at camp. Remember, he/she has a business to get up and running and that can mean A LOT of work for them. This doesn't mean they don't care about you or how you're getting on at camp, it just means they're really busy! Rather than trying to go to them for help every time you feel homesickness or culture shock creeping up on you, find another counsellor you can have as a buddy. Keep yourself busy at all times. Your camp director will be impressed with your hard work and you'll find the days flying by!

Setting up at camp

Pre camp and after camp is extremely important for the Directors to help make sure everything is in good working order. Before the children get to camp, there is plenty of work to be done at camp which you may be involved in. You may be required to help with DIY work around camp, checking inventory along with other activities to ensure everything is in good working order. Prior to the children stepping foot on camp you will also go through orientating to prepare you for the summer.

Types Of Camps

Private

For most private Camp Directors, their camp is their business, and that business is offering children safe fun. The camp facilities are often quite extensive. Private camps usually cater to children from middle to upper income backgrounds. Because these Camp Directors make their living entirely from the 9-week summer period, it is enormously important to them that everything runs smoothly during this time.

Agency camps

Agency camps make up the majority of camps that we work with. They are usually run by nonprofit organisations such as the YMCA and Boys and Girls Clubs. The children usually come from middle to lower income backgrounds.

Religious camps

They may be private or run by religious agencies such as the Salvation Army or the Jewish Community Centre. Some camps look for staff that actively practice the same religion. Others do not require their staff to share the same
philosophy of the camp.

Girls Guides / Scout camps

At these all-girl camps, one typically finds a more rustic environment and basic facilities. They follow traditional scouting principles, and staff with guiding or similar experience is greatly in demand. These camps are usually associated with the Girl Scouts of America.

Day Camps

Day camps offer non-residential sessions Monday through Friday, in which the children arrive by bus in the morning and go home the same day around dinnertime. The camps are often located near urban centres. Your accommodation might be on-site, off-camp in a separate residence arranged by the Camp Director, or with local host families.

Senior camps

These camps are specifically designed for able-bodied senior citizens who require no special care. Campers get involved in a whole programme of activities, doing everything kids would do, just a little slower!

Special Needs

Some camps cater for campers with special needs. These camps provide a full range of summer camp activities for children and/or adults with physical, cognitive, medical, behavioural or learning challenges. Working with special populations in a summer camp environment can be physically and emotionally demanding.

Types of Special Needs camps

1. People with Physical Disabilities
   Campers who participate in these programmes may use wheelchairs, walkers, visual or auditory aids. Campers may be independent or may need help with personal care (e.g. feeding, bathing, toileting). Campers at these camps may have learning disabilities others may not.
    
2. People with Learning and (or) Behavioural Disabilities
   These camps often cater to both children and adults who may also have other disabilities. The main focus of these camps is to provide campers with an opportunity to experience traditional camping activities in a non-competitive environment. Some camps may cater for children and adults with challenging behaviours.

Counsellors can expect a challenging, but rewarding summer and they will work alongside committed and enthusiastic people with specific knowledge in their field.(Camp America Special Needs Pocket money rates will apply to those applicants who are placed at Special Needs camps.)

Though the above gives general information about most camps, we advise you to contact your camp director for more detailed information about your specific placement.

The Role Of A Camp Counsellor/Campower

THE ROLE OF A COUNSELLOR

BUNK/GENERAL COUNSELLOR
This is not a 9:30 to 5:30 job. At camp, in any situation, you are always on call; that is what being part of a community is all about. Safety is foremost in any Camp Director's mind and if something goes wrong at any time, you are expected to be able to help in whatever area you are able to. To put it simply, you take over where the parents left off. You are now the absent mother or father, the big brother or sister. You will sleep in the same building with your campers, eat at the same table, go where they go, they will go where you go, you become a working unit. You must make sure that they dress right (without their parents' help, small children would stay in their pyjamas all day!), eat well, stay safe and have fun. It will be your job to take campers to the different activities where the counselors take over and you would generally assist with the activity.

ADVANCED SKILLS COUNSELLOR
You have been chosen as an advanced skills counsellor because of the skills you listed on your application form. Flexibility is the word to remember here. You will generally be responsible for running, or assisting in running, an activity programme on a day-to-day basis. The bunk counsellor will bring you the campers during activity periods, and it is then up to you to design and implement a programme to teach them the appropriate skills. Many camps will assign specialist counsellors a bunk and when they are not at their specialty. Your success at camp depends on your willingness to be a team player, so be flexible and you will contribute to a great summer for the campers.

KEEPING CLEAN AND HEALTHY
Campers as well as staff are expected to shower daily. If you are a bunk counsellor, it's part of your job to ensure that the campers are properly cleaning themselves and not just getting wet! Be alert, especially in the first week for signs of sunburn. If you suspect that a camper has an illness, however slight, you should take them to the camp nurse for a check-up. Do not attempt to become the camp nurse and treat the camper yourself.

MEALTIMES
There is no way to describe in writing what mealtime is like. It is an event that you must experience first hand. As a counsellor your job is to sit with and supervise the children in your bunk. A general camp rule is to serve the campers first (don't worry, there is plenty of food to go around). Most camps encourage good eating habits and good table manners. While making sure the campers are eating properly, you should never force a camper to eat.

ON DUTY (OD)
Once the campers have gone to bed for the night most of the staff are now on free time and can do what they like (keeping within the rules of the camp of course). A small number of staff must remain on camp to watch the children. They are called "OD" or On Duty. They walk around the cabins until curfew to ensure that all is well. All staff are usually required to sit OD. It is scheduled on a rotating basis.

See more details about working with children at the bottom of this seciton.

THE ROLE OF A CAMPOWER WORKER

You are the backbone of the camp! It is your job to keep the camp running by preparing the meals, and keeping the grounds and facilities in good condition. There are many areas where Campower workers are needed, Kitchen and Maintenance being the most common.

KITCHEN
Most of the Campower jobs will be in the kitchen (about 80%). It is common here to have a very defined work area (e.g. pot washer, salad preparation, dining hall waiter, assistant cook) and this will be your position for the summer. After you have finished your day in the kitchen, the rest of the evening may be your free time. But remember, you will still have to follow the same rules as counsellors including curfew. During the week you may also be asked to perform weekly duties such as cleaning of the kitchen and dining hall, as well as inventories and other kitchen related responsibilities.

A Typical Day In a Camp Kitchen (use as a guide only as all camps have their own schedule)

6.00am Wake up
6.30am - 8.00am Prepare breakfast
8.00am - 9.30am Serve breakfast
9.30am - 10.30am Clean up
10.30am - 11.30am Free time
11.30am - 12.30pm Prepare lunch
12.30pm - 1.30pm Serve lunch
1.30pm - 2.30pm Clean up
2.30pm - 5.00pm Free time
5.00pm - 6.00pm Prepare dinner
6.00pm - 8.00pm Serve dinner and clean up

Other areas of Campower include:

Maintenance - You are the handyman of the camp. When something breaks (children are very good at breaking things) you will be the person to fix it. This will include broken windows, broken doors, painting the buildings and yes, you will have to clear the toilets after campers have stuffed their socks down them.

Laundry - Campers and staff will bring you their clothes weekly to be cleaned.

Driving - Camps will have a fleet of vehicles ranging from a small car to a mini van to a big yellow school bus that holds 40 people.

Grounds keeping - You will be responsible for keeping the grounds of the camp clean and hazard free. Your duties can involve anything from landscaping to painting fences.

Office Worker - some camps may maintain some form of office/offices on site. Your job can range from answering the phones, typing letters to a wide variety of administrative tasks.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CAMPOWER AND COUNSELLORS

The level of integration of Campower and Counsellors varies from camp to camp. Sometimes the groups are very separate, while in other instances; there is much interaction between them. For example, Campower and counsellors may have separate housing arrangements, or they might share cabins together with the campers. Some camps are even set up so that everyone takes turns doing Campower duties. You will probably have some free time each day, and an occasional day off to socialise and 'hang out' together or mix with other staff.
You may anticipate an inequality between the two groups - yet in reality, this will only happen if you allow it to! Approach the summer with a positive attitude and be ready to bridge any pre-existing or anticipated gap. Make it your mission to get to know everyone on camp: campers, counsellors, and senior staff alike. You should never feel that you are unimportant. Remember without you, the camp does not function!

WORKING WITH CHILDREN

WHAT TO EXPECT
As with all children some campers are wonderfully welcoming and easy to warm to, others can be your worst nightmare. Now that we have your bodies rattling with fear, do not panic! We have found that it is common for new counsellors to be apprehensive about what to expect of the children. What we have also found is that many participants go to camp with a very alien perception of what they are about to encounter. By the time that they have completed their camp programme, these same counsellors describe most of the same American youngsters with a newfound respect and admiration.

AMERICAN CHILDREN
The first thing you must get into your head is that you will be working with American children for the summer, not European, Australian etc. American children are different from European children in their speech, manners, behaviour and attitude. From the day they were born they have been taught to question things and not accept them at face value. They have been told that they can all grow up to be President and make a million dollars; the only limits they have are the ones they place on themselves. You will find this out very quickly the first time you ask your American camper to do something and they ask "Why"? Telling them "Because I am the Counsellor and I said so" will get you nowhere. American children are very vocal in their opinions of everything. If they love you, you will know. If they hate you, you will know. If they do not like the clothes you are wearing you will know. Get the picture?

Most American campers will demand respect from their counsellors, as any adult would, because that is the way that they have been brought up by their parents. You as well, should demand equal respect from the campers, so this is a balanced argument and the solution is a simple one. American children will show you as much respect as you show them.

SOMETHING TO REMEMBER
When confronted with a situation in which you have no experience in resolving, especially those involving campers, please ask a Supervisor or Head Counsellor for assistance. It is not your responsibility to change the American child to your way of thinking. However, you should provide them with guidance and set good examples through the summer.

COMMON PROBLEMS WITH CHILDREN
Camps are big, spacious and daunting enough for you, let alone for youngsters who miss their parents. Be aware that this problem can exist in your bunk no matter what age your campers are.
If any of your campers are homesick it may be due to one of the following:

• Fear of new surroundings and the unknown
• Fear of being left by their parents
• Fear of being alone
• An inability to make new friends
• An unsettled home life

The following signs may suggest that campers are homesick:

• Sitting by themselves during group or general activities (maybe under a tree or bunk porch)
• Not eating or being distressed at meal times. This is when the family is usually together.
• Upset at bedtimes. They may not want you to leave, they may not want to sleep.
• Feigning illness or injury and frequently wanting to go to the infirmary.

Try to handle a homesick child by being:

• Understanding - never ridicule or tease the camper.
• Concerned - find another camper who could befriend the homesick child. Let them know that you understand and want to help.
• Reassuring and comforting - give them confidence and something to take their mind off home.

Remember, you are further away from home than they are. Use this! Let them know that you miss your home as well and that it is okay. Helping a homesick camper takes a lot of time and energy - if you think it is a bit much for a new counsellor like you, ask your co-counsellor for help. If the problem still exists, ask your Unit Leader and Head Counsellor for advice and help. Once you have cured a camper of homesickness in many cases they will become your best and most faithful camper.

MISBEHAVING CAMPERS
Just to warn you, every bunk will have at least one "challenging camper". What causes campers to misbehave and how you can deal with this is discussed below. Some campers come from homes where they are the only child or are very pampered by their parents. These children are used to a lot of attention. Now they are in a camp situation where your attention must be shared with 10 to 12 other campers. They find that the only way they can get your full attention is by misbehaving.

BULLYING
Bullying is just as big a problem in the U.S. as anywhere else in the world. As we have seen on the news, a bully can torment and torture a child and this will not only destroy their summer but can have a lasting effect on their life.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE WITNESSED BULLYING IN YOUR CABIN
Always remain calm, even if you cannot believe the camper just did what you saw them do. Dealing with difficult situations calls for maturity. It would be helpful to remember the following points:

• Do not act impulsively or become emotionally involved in a situation.
• Do not try to pin the blame on one camper or another.
• Discuss the situation with the campers involved and try to let them work out the problems.
• Let the bullying camper know that you are not happy with their actions (never in front of the other campers), but emphasise that you still consider the camper to be a valued member of the group.
• Bear in mind the camper is most likely lacking in self-confidence, and this is influencing the unacceptable behaviour.
• Bring in team spirit. The camper is part of a team (the bunk) and their behaviour is letting the side down.

MAINTAINING DISCIPLINE
It is your job as a counsellor to maintain a safe and happy environment in the bunk. This, in many cases, will become your biggest challenge of the summer. When an incident occurs, you should try to solve it right away by removing the misbehaving child from the group and discussing the problem with them as equals. Never get into a shouting match with the camper, especially in front of the other campers, because if you lose to an 8 year old, you have killed your credibility.

If discipline is necessary, never assume what you are allowed to do and NEVER under any circumstances (except in self defence) use physical violence! Your Camp Director will tell you during the training week what is allowed and what is not. If you are unable to deal with a problem camper, seek help. Campers, who habitually misbehave, are often sent home by the Camp Director.

WITHDRAWAL
Sometimes you may find campers who are homesick and do not want to get involved in activities or join in with the group. Often the child is insecure about dealing with others and lacks the confidence in their own abilities to join.
If you see this happen:

• Try to find areas where the camper can excel.
• Give the camper confidence in the ability to accomplish something, however small it may be, and always praise them when they succeed.
• Not all campers are athletically inclined or socially affable. Respect individual differences.

Remember:

• Always be alert to the children's safety and to their needs.
• Never assume that 'somebody else' has done, will do or will even think about doing something.
• Enthusiasm breeds enthusiasm, so does smiling.
• This is the children's holiday, not yours - your holiday begins when camp ends.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS AIMED AT ALL PARTICIPANTS EQUALLY, WHETHER THEY ARE ON THE CAMPOWER OR COUNSELLOR PROGRAMME.

CAMP ORIENTATION
Your camp will conduct an orientation session to explain to you the rules and regulations of your particular camp. Listen carefully, ask for clarification if you do not understand something, and always conduct yourself within the rules and guidelines explained to you by the camp administration.

Fellow staff members are a good source of support; they may have been at your camp for many years, but be aware they may also be eager to explain to you how some rules can be ignored. Do not follow such advice, you are an adult and will be treated as being responsible for your own actions. You are responsible for the safety and well being of the children in your care as a 'responsible parent' would be. Always be vigilant to the safety aspects of your position. Also as someone new in the camp environment it is not for you to take liberties, you are an unknown entity. Camp Directors, the children and their parents may not understand jokes and actions that are funny and innocent at home but which can easily be misunderstood in the United States. Be sensitive to a child's needs. Never 'show up' or 'talk down', i.e. ridicule children, or deliberately embarrass ('shame') a child.
Do not shout at or verbally abuse children and do not swear at them or in their presence. Try to lead by example and earn their respect.

CONTROLLING ANGER AND RESPONDING TO AGGRESSION
Do not be rough with children and don't involve yourself in horseplay or competitive games other than as a referee. Be aware of 'winding up', i.e. escalating problems, and try not to respond with anger. Stay in control of yourself no matter what is being said or done to you. Do not tolerate bullying, racism, horseplay or any form of 'initiation ceremonies'. Discuss all instances with your unit head. In recent seasons we have had people end up in jail and accused of child abuse because of initiation ceremonies, that got out of hand.

DRESSING AND UNDRESSING
Make sure that another adult of the child's sex is present if you have to change a child's clothes or otherwise help undress him or her. Change or undress yourself discretely and out of sight and away from the children whenever possible. Get another child of similar age and sex to 'dry backs' etc. after swimming. Do not go into showers alone with a child. Be modest in your own behaviour, dress, body language and comments. Always let another adult know where you are, what you are doing and why.

ALCOHOL, DRUGS AND SMOKING
The consumption of alcohol on camp and the misuse of drugs or substances is banned. You will be fired immediately if you break these rules. Smoking is usually not permitted on camp, and if it is allowed at all it will be in designated areas only. You must comply with this restriction and not smoke in the sight of children.
If your campers break these rules it is your duty and responsibility to inform your Camp Director. Do not make the mistake of thinking that you are doing your children a favour by handling such situations yourself - it is your responsibility and your duty to inform your superiors. You need to be 21 and over to purchase and consume alcohol in the United States.

CHILD PROTECTION
Our programme is committed to the protection of children and vulnerable adults. Please read this section carefully - we all have a serious part to play in the protection of children.

CHILD ABUSE - APPROPRIATE AND INAPPROPRIATE TOUCHING
Something to Remember - Child abuse remains a high profile issue in the U.S. It is important that you are careful in your dealings with children. If you are in any doubt, take advice. Americans tend to be less demonstrative than Europeans and physical contact with children in the absence of the parents should be avoided. If you are fired for physical violence, you will have your visa revoked and you will have to immediately finance your flight home. You will also be held liable to reimburse us for the cost of your outward flight to the U.S.

In recent years the boundaries between appropriate and inappropriate behaviour have become more sharply drawn. Whilst many children will want to be demonstrative and seek to hug or kiss you, it is not appropriate for you to initiate such behaviour. Never allow a child to hug you unless there are other adults present and the contact can clearly be seen to be non-sexual. Unfortunately it is now all too easy for innocent gestures to be misunderstood and counsellors must always be aware that false or mistaken allegations of child abuse could result in trouble or even jail.

There must also be boundaries both for the children's sake and for your own protection against compromise and possible misinterpretation. Gently discourage a child from sitting or lying in your lap. Be prepared for sexual advances from children of any age and either sex. Don't make them an issue but gently and firmly tell the child that you don't really like that sort of thing. Discretely discuss any such advances with your unit head or Camp Director. Do not privately cuddle or kiss a child; whilst it may be appropriate to respond to an emotional goodbye at the end of camp, this should be open and public and only at the child's instigation. Do not carry a child unless necessary in an emergency and never allow a child to share your bed even if they are upset and homesick.

Remember the key words CAUTION and BACKUP. Gently disengage yourself from embraces and firmly distance yourself from inappropriate touching. Try never to leave yourself alone with a child or group of children. Counsellors must support each other. Try to ensure that another adult can see what is happening at all times. Protect yourself and protect children.
Under U.S. Law, anyone under the age of 18 years is considered a child. Any sexual relations with a person under the age of 18 is considered statutory rape.

CHILD ABUSE - RECOGNISING & RESPONDING / DISCLOSURE
The consequences of Child Abuse in all its forms - physical, sexual, emotional and neglect - are horrifying and, in many instances, can seriously harm a child's natural development long into adulthood. Honour any wish expressed by a child to talk to you privately. Do so out of earshot but always within the view of other adults. Tell your co-counsellor what you are doing. In the first instance always suggest that the child goes with you to speak to the Director (with whom you are obliged to share information however 'confidentially' it is passed to you). If the child is only willing to speak to you, do not commit yourself to keeping secrets but always react with belief in what the child is saying to you, and with sensitivity. Never show shock, embarrassment, disgust or disbelief. Try to remember what the child said in his or her own words, not your interpretation of them. If possible write them down as soon as you can, noting date, time, circumstances, etc. Do not probe or push a child for more information. It is vital that you share such disclosures with the Director discretely and as soon as possible so that you can be advised and properly supported and that measures can be taken where necessary to protect or support the child. If you know yourself to be sexually attracted to children, cancel from the programme now - otherwise you can expect your stay in the U.S. to be longer than originally planned. U.S. prison sentences for child abuse are long term. If you are guilty of any form of child abuse you can expect to feel the full weight of American law. Our programme will not support participants who are guilty of such behaviour.