Youth Camps: Course Outline

WEEK 1: Structure and Philosophy

a) Camp Assessment
What is your camp philosophy?

•   Fun vs. revenue generator vs. community relations – or combo?

What Type of Camp Will/Do You Offer?

• Types of camps
  Day camp vs. Week camp?
  Residence component?
  Sport; recreation activity?
  Pure Academic camp (e.g. Mini-University) or activity camp with academic component?
• Program offerings
  Age Groups/population served
  How young/ how old?
  How do you package offerings (e.g. pool time for all?)

b) Camp Operational Structure
Staffing

• Essential Positions
  Director
  Counselors
  Counselor in Training Programs
  Specialty staff
• Qualifications
  Skill set, credentials
  Age Requirements
  Specialty Areas
• Job Descriptions for all staff: Six Key Elements
  Position Title; Supervising Position; General Responsibilities; Specific Responsibilities; Essential Functions; Qualifications
• Guidelines for Hiring
  Applicant Pool
  Interview Process
• Monitoring Performance
  Performance Appraisal
  Guidelines for Firing

c) Camp Program Audit

WEEK 2: Camps Management

a) Data Collection

• Collecting, securing and storing documents
  Electronic vs. paper
  Securing confidential documents e.g. medical docs
  Storing documents e.g. consent forms; permission forms
  How long do you store material?

• Participant Documentation
  Medical Information Form
  Allergies; other Medical Issues
  Medications and medication scheduling
  Plan for storing and dispensing meds
  Who reviews forms?
  Security of Forms
  Tie-in with Emergency Response Plan

• Medical Issues
  Handling medications

b) Supervision and Instruction

• Ratios
  What is your camper to counselor ratio?
  Investigate state/provincial guidelines for childcare.
  American Camping Association standards
  Are ratios different for camp setting or activity offered?
• Protocol in program area
  Example of waterfront activities, what is expected of staff
  What is staff role with ‘expert/certified’ staff at activity site
• Pre and post Camp supervision
• Buddy Checks/participant matching
  Supervision during transition times between camp activities
  Lunch coverage
  Awareness of camp group size and rest of staff in relation to you
• Lesson plans
  Curriculum with natural progression for camp activities

c) Training

• Pre-camp training/orientation
• In-service Training
• Sexual Harassment etc.
• Emergency Response

d) Parent Communication

• Types of Communication
  Initial program information (marketing)
  Sign offs
  ‘Client’ information (e.g. ‘Parents Survival Guide’)
  Medical Insurance requirements
  Parental sign off
  Parental consent/ waiver
  In case of medical emergency
  Photo permission
  Special instructions (e.g. medications; behavior)
  Permission to dispense medications

e) Program Ideas & Resources

• Cool Program Ideas
• Staff Manuals
• Checklists (e.g. Registration Day; Sign in/out; Body Counts etc.)

d) Camp Management Audit

WEEK 3: Managing Risk; Day Trips

a) Emergency Response Plan

• Procedures in place?
  Central facility role; camp staff role
• Role of Clinic/ AT’s (if applicable)
• Who needs to be trained in what?
• Emergency equipment
  First Aid kits (location and stocking)
  AED machinesMissing camper procedures
• Dealing with the elements (e.g. heat related issues for campers and staff)
• Emergency Communication protocols
  University; parents
• Accident reporting
  Accident Report Forms
• Follow-up procedures
  University; parents; camper

b) Security Issues

• Sign in-out
• Background checks
• Data collection

c) Facilities & Equipment
Are Facilities and Equipment appropriate, adequate, safe?

• Age appropriateness
  Modifying facilities for different age groups
• Shared usage
  Ensuring facilities are safely split into sections for shared activity use
• Specific use of area
  Using specific use facilities for activities not designed to handle
• Attractive nuisances and Facility hazards eliminated
  Ensuring these are identified and isolated (e.g. trampolines)
• Inspections of Facilities and equipment
  Implementing an inspection protocol and inspection frequency
• Equipment checkout procedures
• Purpose of product/manufacture guidelines for use
  Modification of equipment
• Emergency equipment in place (covered in more detail in ERP section)
• Communication Equipment in place and functional
  Walkie-talkies; cell phones; megaphones
  Staff communication protocols

d) Human Resources Issues

• Insurance
  Camp; participant, travel, outside contractor
  University insurance requirements?
• Review Labour Laws
  Age requirements
• Volunteers
• Harassment
• Other HR Issues e.g. Social Networking

e) Camp Risk Management Audit

f) Day Trips

• Field trips
• Vehicles; drivers; passengers
• Travel policies
• Supervision
• Emergency response plan (en route/off-site)
• Planning Tools

WEEK 4: Behavioral Issues

Behavioral Issues

1. Camper Growth and Development
a. Developmental Characteristics of Children by Stages
b. Behavioral Characteristics of Children by Stages
c. Special considerations at camp

2. Desirable Behavior
a. Appropriate behavior

3. Undesirable Behavior
a. Inappropriate behavior

4. Reasons for Undesirable Behavior
a. Why children act out
b. How to avoid it

5. Behavior Management
a. Prevention
i. Setting expectations
ii. Creating environment of respect
iii. Give youth tools to succeed
b. Intervention
i. Strategies for redirecting undesirable behavior
c. Consequences & Policy
i. Appropriate consequences
ii. Inappropriate consequences

6. Bullying Prevention and Management
a. What is bullying?
b. What skills do kids need?

7. Accident/Incident Report Forms
a. Need to document
b. Need to communicate
c. When to call home?
d. When is a child’s behavior outside of the scope of your care?