+ Good Counselors

Good Counselors Make Good Camps

Caring for campers is one of the most important aspects of camp.  At Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp there are many aspects to camper care.  Caring for the whole person is extremely important.  The camp community is responsible for encouraging the development of social, emotional, physical, and recreational skills of the camper while providing support such as hygiene and personal care.

Effective counselors ensure a successful camping program.  Alongside staff, counselors become teachers, facilitators, and advocates of the camp program for the campers. They make the camping experience a most rewarding and memorable time in the lives of each individual camper.  The following are the competencies and qualities all counselors need to demonstrate in meeting the needs of campers:

Display acceptance of each individual camper.  Being friendly and accepting is one of the most important qualities of being a counselor.  Be friendly by (1) quickly learning campers’ names, (2) being aware of the camper’s ability level and consequent limitations and mannerisms, (3) finding out which campers have special talents, and (4) warmly integrating each camper into the total group.

Be perceptive about the camper’s personal needs.  Each counselor will have an opportunity to review aspects of their camper’s file prior to their arrival.  Informal talks with the camper and the camper’s guardian(s) will give much insight and also help form positive relationships.  Throughout the week, don’t impose your ideas upon the campers when a challenge is presented.  Encourage and empower them to find out for themselves.  The counselor’s job is to guide, suggest, and develop in them a feeling of planning and doing things together.  All this builds confidence, independence, and creativity.  Learn to help the campers only when they need help.

Monitoring the health and safety needs of campers.  Make sure the camper(s): 

• Cleans/brushes their teeth
• Keeps clean, neat, dry, AND warm (showers/clothing)
• Are in collaboration with the Health Care Team (Nurses):
  • Receives proper medication regularly and punctually
  • Receives medical attention for bug bites, sunburns, cuts, blisters, etc.
• Puts all personal equipment away neatly
• Are receiving adequate nutrition and water intake
• Goes to the restroom regularly
• Gets proper rest at night and at rest time in the afternoon
• Stays with the group and participates in activities as much as possible
  • Participation is not measured by being compared to other campers, but by each person’s ability level.
• Knows safety rules/procedures of each activity and of the camp as a whole.

Follow the daily schedule and give advance notice to the camper(s) you are paired with about any change in the schedule.  It is imperative for counselors to be on time and prepared for the day’s activities each morning, afternoon, and evening. Counselors help set the tone and get campers excited about the day’s activities. With that being said, campers like to move at their own pace and it is important to remember to go with the flow and be flexible. Alert the campers far in advance of any schedule change.  Encourage the camper to take an active role in the week’s activities.  Involve them in the schedule of each day’s activities. If you are concerned about any of the day’s activities or schedule, MHKC has many resources to assist both you and the camper(s).

Use concise, simple language and directions, along with calm speech.  Have the camper’s attention when you speak and use understandable words.  Give one direction at a time and allow for campers to process directions or changes. Learn to be soft-spoken in manner and tone.  Don’t overreact to adverse mannerisms, speech, etc. Some campers may not make eye contact or respond verbally to you, but this does not mean they do not understand you. Practice patience and don’t stop interacting and having conversations with campers.

Counselor support skills

It is important to remember that during your time at MHKC, you will be working mostly with adults with developmental disabilities. As adults attending camp, they should be treated with the same dignity and respect as any of your counselor peers. Many of our campers have been attending Camp for multiple years and know the rules and what is expected of them during their stay. It is crucial to stay respectful and understanding of our camper’s disabilities but it is also important to hold our campers accountable for their actions and to help them follow Camp rules. It is imperative to utilize the summer staff around you for new techniques on how to best ensure campers get the most out of their time at camp. Remember, campers gain encouragement from our energy. Therefore, if we are excited then it is more likely that they will be too.

Be perceptive of interpersonal dynamics within a group.  In a close, live-in situation, various misunderstandings can develop.  Facilitate skills in communicating feelings, solutions and alternative strategies in the group setting.  Be alert to the constellation of the group and tactfully help all campers fit into the group cohesiveness.  Campers need to continue to learn the social skills of meeting, making, keeping and maintaining friendships.

Be skillful in guiding camper actions.  After campers have made their initial explorations of the camp and have become settled in their cabin, you are ready to guide them in the participation of camp activities.  You may need to relieve anxieties, encourage shy campers to try new things and redirect campers to productive choices. Some campers can become fixated on an object or task. It is our job as a counselor to provide redirection towards a new activity or the next step in the process.  For example, say “Where is your towel?” when a camper continues hand washing too long.  This type of comment directs campers to their task, but leaves the initiative with them.  Give the camper a choice only when you can accept his/her positive or negative reply.  Never give a choice when safety is involved or when it is disrupting to others. An effective way of gaining camper participation is by presenting them with two options that are mutually acceptable outcomes. An example of this would be, “Would you like to eat in the main dining hall or on the back porch?” This allows the camper freedom of choice and to be in control but also gets them to participate in the scheduled activity.

Employ positive skills in all camper/counselor/staff interactions. As a counselor, you are committing to being a part of a team that ensures the health, safety, and well-being of the campers under your care. As an integral part of this team, your input in matters concerning the camper(s) you are paired with will be sought after and taken into consideration. Ultimately, any decision made concerning a camper’s health, safety, and well-being, as well as those around the camper, will be made by MHKC Staff. It is important to remember to support decisions made by MHKC Staff in regards to campers. It is their goal to make sure that everyone has a safe and fun experience at Camp.