NEVER BETTER….ALWAYS BEST

1. MAKE NOTES – No one can recollect, from memory, everything that goes on during training. You will want to refer to your notes at camp when your ability to recall might be somewhat dimmed. Everything that is said in the next training session is important to you.

 

2. THE CAMPERS ARE COMING – Keep telling yourself that campers are arriving and we must be ready. Tight now, we have just ourselves to think about and care for, but we must gear ourselves up for the first day of camp.

 

3. PASS IT ON – Be sure to pass on each thing you learn at training to every group of campers this summer. The campers who arrive on day one are every bit as important as the campers who arrive the last session of camp.

 

4. SAY HI! – Please make yourself known to people your haven’t met. Spend time with them, find out more than just the obvious things, and be sure to include all the people on the Camp Staff – administration, program, old staff, new staff, counselors, C.I.T’s.

 

5. LISTEN CAREFULLY – Don’t just get things partly right. That kind of knowledge can be very dangerous. Be sure you know what is being said and what is meant. 6. BE ON TIME – There is nothing more annoying for those who are on time or more discourteous to the session leader than to be late for a program. It shouldn’t be too difficult to be on time because that is the most important thing we have to do during training.

 

7. ASK QUESTIONS – We won’t think less of you for not knowing. We will think more of you for being alert. If you don’t understand what is being said, get it off your chest. That is the main purpose of training.

 

8. MAKE SUGGESTIONS – If you have an idea, let’s have it. All the improvements at Camp Oweki come from the brains of thoughtful staff.

 

9. WHAT GOES IN…COMES OUT…- Put everything you have into this. The things you learn and retain and use from this training. Will lead you to a more satisfying camp experience. What you do in preparation during this time will come back to you many times in meaningful ways.

 

10. HAVE FUN – Camp is a time for fun and enjoyment. If you are relaxed and confident, staff around you will be relaxed and confident and this is bound to be mirrored in camper relaxation, enjoyment and fun.

 

The purpose of a pre-camp training is to ingrain the staff with an understanding of the philosophies and objectives of our camp. To make each staff member feel at home in your new working environment by explaining the site and facilities. To help you understand the needs of children as well as the differences between the different ages of children and to give you an insight into working with children. To assist the staff in developing new camp-oriented skills and to share known skills through practice and experience. From a more personal point of view, the purpose of a pre-camp training is to develop a camper camp-oriented spirit of enthusiasm and good will. To foster a harmonious working relationship between staff members and a good inter-staff rapport. To prepare staff for a happy rewarding summer. Also, to help staff understand the camp policies and working conditions as related to you specific responsibilities.