Working With Campers

Working with Children

The tips in this chapter are primarily for divisional staff – Cabin Leaders, Divisional Directors, and Activity Specialists; especially the first few sections. However, you never know when a camper might come to you to talk or ask a question. We recommend you go over this section even if you don’t expect to be working directly with campers.

How to Plan and Lead Activities

Before You Come to Camp

Read about what camp typically does with the activity. Try to find sample schedules or projects from previous years.
Use some of your own ideas to make it interesting.
Some activities, such as woodworking and crafts, have pre-planned projects. If so, supplies will be purchased and available already at camp. Otherwise, you will be responsible for your own lesson plans and any supplies needed. Check with the camp registrar to see what supplies are already available before you purchase anything. Donations, however, are always welcomed!
Make a model or practice your activity. We will have some (but not a lot of) time at in-camp training to get ready for your activities.
Make sure you have enough to do for 5 days and prepare for an average of 2 rainy days.

How to Prepare Your Activity

Start preparing as soon as you know which activities you are assigned to lead or help with. You are asked to develop your skill and understanding of the activity. You will be given directions on what should be accomplished during the five days. If you still need assistance, ask the Program Director. Most of the activities at camp are things that kids don’t get to do at home and are offered to give them a chance to do something different. Here are the main purposes of the activities:

To learn new skills and have experience in group activities
To do something fun and keep active
It’s another chance for us to teach about Christ
For skill-based activities, an opportunity for the camper to advance a level

How to Lead Your Activity At Camp

Make sure that equipment is in a safe and usable condition. Know the area. Do not use broken or damaged equipment.
Take attendance every day. We must be able to account for the whereabouts of all campers at all times. If you are missing a camper for any reason, notify the Director or Program Director.
Obtain each camper’s interest before explaining the activity. Talk clearly and use examples.
Be enthusiastic about your activity under all weather conditions.
Think safety. Never leave campers unattended. Each activity should have two leaders to divide the task of supervising campers. If you are having disciplinary problems, send the camper to the Director.
Follow your lesson plan each day. Make notes on what needs to be improved so that you (or another leader) can reuse the lesson plan.
You are responsible to clean up the activity area when finished!

During activity periods, you should be:

Enthusiastic: The campers generally reflect the attitude of the staff. It is, therefore, imperative that all staff participate enthusiastically in all activities and aspects of the program.
Cooperative: By working together, counseling and specialty staff become effective, positive role models for the campers. In addition, constructive input following the activity will help ensure that a positive atmosphere exists for future activity periods. Everyone at camp uses specialty areas and it is the responsibility of all staff and campers to work together to cleanup following an activity.
Encouraging: All staff should encourage the campers to be creative and imaginative. The campers want to know that you are interested in what they are doing. Show them that the point to participating in an activity is to have fun and learn. Enjoyment of the activity should not be affected by the camper’s success or failure.

Dealing with Rainy Days

On rainy days, all waterfront activities are still held unless there is lightning. Crafts, Woodworking, Drama, Surprise, and Newspaper can all continue as normal. All other activities proceed to the Dining Hall for crafts and games. Please accompany your campers – you are still in charge of them during that activity period. The Program Director will need your help supervising the campers. This is not free time!

The daily schedule is slightly modified in case of pouring rain. Flag Raising and Flag Lowering are either canceled or held indoors. For meals, line up inside or stay seated at your table, according to the Program Director’s directions. Tuck should also be eaten indoors.

Avoid doing Bible Exploration inside the cabins. The campers will beg you to do this, and it does seem tempting, but experience has shown that there will be far too many distractions for your campers. Instead, sit on the porch of the cabin, or try to find another indoor or sheltered location.

Cabin Time

There are times in the day – usually after meals when your cabin isn’t scheduled for capers – where there is nothing planned for your cabin to do. It is tempting for a Cabin Leader to relax and let the campers go do whatever they want. Yes, sometimes, this is fine. However, spending time with your cabin together is also important. It is time for you to bond with your group. Take the opportunity to plan an activity for the entire cabin. Whatever you plan, make sure your campers have a say in it; it has to be what they want too.

Here are some ideas for things to do during Cabin Time:

Prepare a skit for cabin to perform together during the Talent Show.
Plan your sleepout.
Build the campfire for the evening program.
Go hiking or exploring together.
Prepare a song to present or just plain sing.
Keep a cabin log – add to it every day.
Make signs, banner, or mobiles for your cabin.
Decorate the cabin.
Invent a cabin cheer.
Play games – charades, 20 Questions, I Spy, etc.
Have a discussion about what everyone is learning at camp.
Have a prayer meeting.
Act out a Bible story.
Exchange experiences.
Hold a debate.
Do a special craft (bring your own materials for this).
Sketch, draw, make posters or collages.
Do a crossword puzzle, word search, jigsaw puzzle together.
Exercise.
Exchange jokes or riddles.
Have a water fight.

If you can’t think of anything creative – you could always try cleaning up the cabin!

Dealing with Camper Emotional Issues

Going to camp for the first time can be a disrupting factor in any child’s life and may produce emotional responses that are new. It is critical that we as leaders help the camper to understand his or her feelings and deal with them constructively.

The camping situation itself may cause emotional distress. Although most children are excited about camp, some aspects of camp can cause problems for campers, including:

fears of the dark, insects, large bodies of water, crowds of new people, outhouse facilities
a rushed and packed schedule
living in close quarters with new friends, sleeping somewhere they’re not used to
lack of rest, fatigue
relationship problems that go unassisted, including not getting along with others in the cabin, bullying

As leaders, we need to be in tune with the campers so we can pick up signs of emotional distress. Watch your campers carefully during activities, mealtimes, free time and around the campfire in the evening. Some signs of minor emotional disturbance include:

tearful, sad, extremely quiet, clingy
sleep loss, lack of appetite
anxious, fearful
relating poorly to others in the cabin
irritable, noisy, disruptive, uncooperative

Homesickness – “Missing Home”

“Homesickness” is an unfortunate word. The word “sick” implies abnormal and unhealthy, but being homesick is neither – everyone experiences it, and it is a normal part of our emotional development and growth. A better term would be “missing home”.

Homesickness (“missing home”) is a common occurrence at camp. Some of the emotional symptoms are noted above. There also may be physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Rule out any true physical cause (ask the Health Care Worker to see your camper) and give lots of reassurance. Concerned listening will usually bring out the problem, and allow you to deal with it constructively.

Explain that their feelings are normal and expected – maybe you are even missing your spouse, children, pets, etc. while you are at camp. Don’t say things like “you shouldn’t feel that way” or “you’ll have so much fun you won’t even miss home”. Acknowledge and validate the feelings, then change the subject. Ask the camper about their interests, give them a tour of camp, introduce them to other campers and play a game – anything but dwell on their feelings.

The best way to deal with homesick campers is to keep them busy and having fun. They will still miss home, but they will also enjoy their time at camp, making new friends, and participating in activities.

The first four hours at camp are crucial in preventing homesickness. Staff should plan carefully to help each camper feel at home, and make a friend. (If the camper is not making friends with other campers – you should step in and become their friend.)

It is essential to take this problem seriously. Do not trivialize it, make fun of the camper, or allow others to make fun of the camper. They should be reassured that it is not a sign of weakness. Kindness, concern and a plan are what you need. Pray and ask God’s guidance for the situation. Share with your DD that you may need help with your homesick camper.

Watch out for periods of free time on the first day that can cause the camper to be bored, or periods of chaos that can cause anxiety. Perhaps rain has cancelled the campfire plans, and everyone is cooped up inside the Dining Hall. Your camper is disappointed – he was promised there would be a campfire! – and is uncomfortable with all the noise around him. Understandable! Find something to keep him busy, or ask what he would like to do. Go exploring the grounds? Hunt for frogs? Play catch? Cards? Find some other campers or leaders and together, make it happen.

Campers may ask to phone home. In our experience, this often makes the problem worse, not better. If campers ask, try to postpone the request (“maybe we can talk about that later, but we’re going to join the game right now, OK?”) If they insist, bring them to see the Health Care Worker or Camp Director. If they deem a call home is appropriate, they will arrange to speak with the parent first, and advise them to encourage the camper, but not to present the option of coming to take them home. If a child thinks “I can just go home if I don’t like it here”, it will be difficult or impossible for them to move on to other choices that will actually help. If the parents remove the choice of going home and let the child know they want him or her to stay and have fun, then the child can learn to move on.

CILTs – Campers in Leadership Training

The Campers in Leadership Training (CILT) program provides a unique educational and practical challenge for high school age campers with leadership potential. Participants will have opportunities to increase their skills and abilities, deepen their knowledge and application of Scripture, and gain a variety of leadership experiences. CILT prepares them for future leadership and service in their churches, camps, and communities.

At Laurentian Camp Cherith the CILT program takes place over 2 summers during which campers attend two weeks each summer.

CILTs in their first year (CILT I’s) attend activities as active observers. They are to participate in everything, set a good example for other campers, and observe activity leadership. They will be asked to assist in leading each of their activities for one day. They will participate in evening programs and are available to assist with leading programs according to their giftedness.

CILTs in their second year (CILT II’s), with permission from the CILT Leader, can be asked to assist as activity leaders. They are to participate in everything, set a good example for other campers, and participate in activity leadership.

Each CILT will choose a “CILT Track”. The Program Track focuses on activity leadership, the jobs of the program director, waterfront staff, and activity leaders. The Counselor Track focuses on the jobs of the Cabin Leader, DD’s, and Director. The Service Track focuses on the jobs of kitchen staff, maintenance, health care, and Service Team.

It is important for all staff to remember that CILTs are campers. They are developing skills, good judgment, and decision making ability. They require supervision, and are not to be left alone as the sole supervisor of other campers. Occasionally, it may be necessary to inform a CILT of inappropriate behavior. This should be done privately and in a positive manner. The CILT Leader should also be informed of any concerns. It is up to all staff to ensure the safety of the CILTs, as well as supervise and guide them in the learning process. Staff may be asked to give feedback on a CILT’s participation in their activities or program. Any questions or concerns can be addressed to the CILT Leader.

A Cabin Leader’s Treasure Chest!

In addition to your clothing and supplies for the week, consider packing some of the following items for your cabin or division:

Scissors
Tape (masking tape, duct tape)
Markers
Pens, pencils, pencil crayons
Rubber bands, pins, tacks
Extra Bibles
Needles, thread, buttons
Safety pins
Envelopes, paper
Band-Aids
Age-appropriate story books to read to your campers
Collection of skits and funny stories
Fun books – joke books, trivia books, puzzle books
Extra dress-up costumes for the banquet
Rainy day and Sunday afternoon game or activity ideas
Deck of cards
Table games
Jigsaw puzzles

The Unified Evening Program

As mentioned in a previous chapter, the UEP is purposefully designed to share an idea or a theme. The 3 main elements of the UEP, the games, songfest and campfire talk, are all ideally designed to support the theme.

Games/Evening Activity

When choosing games you want to keep in mind the division you’re working with, the age range and developmental abilities. For instance, a game of “Duck, Duck, GOOSE!” would be fine for Pathfinders and “Communists and Christians” for Challengers but not for the other.

How to Lead a Songfest

Good songfests don’t just happen; they need to be carefully planned in advance. A good songfest seems spontaneous and fun, when you are really controlling its direction. Songfests begin with fun songs appropriate to the evening’s theme (3-5 songs). Then you progress to calmer “bridge” songs (2-3 songs), and finish with spiritual songs that will direct the campers’ attention to the campfire talk that follows (2-4 songs). Remember that a songfest is not a church service – throw some fun, silly songs in there!

Be prepared to make transition comments in between songs, specifically when switching types of songs, but do not make them long. Make sure that find out how much time you have, and choose how many and which songs you want to sing accordingly.

A good songfest should have a theme that unites the songs (the fun ones, at least). For example, for a “water” theme you can sing “My Bonnie”, “Down by the Bay”, “Swimming, Swimming”, and “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” together, and come up with transitions accordingly.

Make sure that you only teach one new song in each songfest. It is discouraging for campers to sit through song after song that they don’t know. Similarly, when singing worship or “Sunday School” songs, be aware of whether there are campers in your division who do not have a church background and might not know the song. The best songs to teach are “repeat after me” songs.

When you start singing, it is important to watch for a few things:

Are campers participating in the songfest?
Is the song pitch too high or too low?
Is the tempo too fast or too slow?
Are they familiar with the song?

When you see problems (campers look bored, fidgeting, aren’t singing), stop singing. Go over the proper key, right tempo or review the words with them and try again. Remember to start the singing with a motion, and encourage the group!

How to Prepare a Campfire Talk

Begin by praying for God’s leading, and thank Him in advance in faith for what He’s going to do through you. Don’t be discouraged because you don’t feel worthy, or because you think someone else can do a better talk. It’s not the worthiness of the person, it’s the worthiness of the message.

Decide what you want to get across. Is it your testimony? A story? A personal experience you’d like to share? Consider:

A Bible story (paraphrased for contemporary understanding)
A story or experience from your own life
Questions and Answers
Heart to heart talk relevant to the age group
Testimony or experience relevant to the age group
Reading from a children’s story book (for younger campers)

Once you have decided your method, you need to make it personal, and applicable to your campers’ daily lives.

Prepare early. Start looking weeks before camp. When you come up with an idea, write it down! It’s best to come ready with more than one talk. You may find that the topic that you thought was wonderful, just won’t work when you get a feel for this particular group of campers. The most effective speakers are the ones with the best files of ideas, not the most polished talks.

Keep your talk simple, but structured. Have an introduction, a body and a conclusion.

Bring a small flashlight and refer to your notes and Bible. (Make sure they know you got this from the Bible!)

Keep it short. 10 minutes is plenty for younger campers, 15-20 minutes at most for the older divisions.

Sharing Your Faith with Children

The two most important things you will have to do at camp are to love your campers, and if it’s God’s will, explain the Gospel and the plan of salvation. Here is a checklist to go over for when a child asks about salvation:

Find a place to talk one-on-one, where you can still be seen by others.
Allow feedback, really listen to them.
Don’t pressure. Growth is a process and we can’t expect them to figure it all out overnight.
Make verses personal for them. (John 3:16 could be read “For God so loved Johnny, …”)
Use simple language. Don’t use terms like “sanctified by the Blood of the Lamb”.
Get them to say their own prayer.
Make sure they understand; give assurances.
Show them how to live a Christian life; give them encouragement. Sometimes the best way to tell a camper about Jesus is just by loving them (John 13:24).
Make sure you get them to tell another leader who will encourage them in their decision.
Report the decision to your DD or Camp Director so camp can follow up with them.

The Essentials

God loves you.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16

We’ve all sinned – done wrong things.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23

Jesus died to pay for your sins.

“In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” – Hebrews 9:22

You must ask Jesus into your heart to be forgiven of all your sin.

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” – John 1:12

Once you’ve asked Jesus into your heart, you become a child of God.

“Because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” – Hebrews 13:5b

Steer Clear of Non-Essentials

We will have campers (and staff!) at camp with a wide variety of backgrounds, representing many different churches. Our desire is to introduce campers to Jesus Christ and help them walk with Him. It is not our intent to persuade them that their church’s doctrine is out of line. Just focus on Jesus and the Gospel. Campers will inevitably ask hard questions. If you feel you can answer the question, do it sensitively and base your answer on Scripture. But remember, the mode of baptism or church government, whether you believe in communion as a sacrament or an ordinance, speaking and interpretation of tongues, etc. are not important – at least for the week or two that you spend at camp. Focus on Jesus. Steer conversations back to Him, and challenge your campers to decide what they will do about their relationship with Him.

After Camp, What?

So, you’ve just invested 140 hours of your time into a group of campers who think you are the greatest counselor in the world. It is understandable that you may find it difficult to say goodbye, and want to maintain contact with some of your new friends. You can be an important part of helping the camp experience make a lasting impact in a camper’s life. Appropriate follow-up can give a camper the gift of a life-long mentor and friend. (Matthew 28:18-20)

As much as Camp Cherith recognizes the value of long-term relationship building, in order to protect our campers and staff, and the reputation of Camp Cherith itself, we require our staff members to follow some important guidelines when communicating with campers and other staff members. You MUST read and agree to our Camper Contact Policy as laid out in the “Policies and Procedures” chapter.

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