Being a Successful Camp Counsellor…

The Four Flags – The underlying values of the YMCA

As I begin my Summer Camp USA pre-departure orientation training days for all the Kiwi’s heading to Summer Camp through IEP New Zealand I have been working on defining the role of a camp counsellor and how to be successful in this role.  Funnily enough, there were a lot of similarities in the core values of the YMCA, so with just 5 weeks until I hit the island, I thought I would revisit those core values, known at camp as the four flags… 

• Caring (Red)
• Honesty (Blue)
• Respect (Yellow)
• Responsibility (Green)

What do these mean to a Summer Camp counsellor?

Caring

Caring

 It is important to show an interest in your campers as a counsellor.  Even if the campers are not in your cabin, there will be times when they need your support, and even times when the staff need it…  When acting as a role model, it is important to take into consideration the impact your actions have on those around you.  At Camp we are one big family, and everything we do has an impact on someone else.  A wise old man once said –you should spend 10 minutes a day talking 1:1 with each camper in your cabin.  This is a valuable mantra for a cabin counsellor as this will allow you to bond with each camper, learning about them, their likes and dislikes, and their interests, as well as being able to identify any issues such as homesickness which you can then deal with.

Honesty

Honesty

I’m not sure I really need to explain this one… everyone can tell when you are dishonest, and even if it is for the littlest thing, the campers will remember!  This impacts on counsellors relationships with staff and management as well as the campers and parents, and all these stakeholders are watching and listening.  One act of dishonesty will ruin not only your relationship with those involved, but will also lead to you no longer being trusted with the littlest of things… enough said I think…

 

Respect

Respect

 Often overlooked as a cabin counsellor, respect truly marks the difference between a good counsellor and an outstanding one!  Not only is it important to respect management, and your superiors, but it is also important to respect the other staff and counsellors.  You should not belittle them in front of campers or other staff, and should always respect others decisions, and follow camp rules.  The true value of this value (pardon the pun) is when relating to the youth in your cabin, activities, or around camp.  Showing respect to the campers will instantly allow you to build a rapport with them which will in term grant you respect and allow you to lead in a more positive manner.  No-one likes a bully, and this is also true of an aggressive leader.

Responsibility

Responsibility

We are all role models for others, whether we like it or not, whether we want to or not, there is no avoiding it.  In order to live up to the expectations others have for us, we need to be responsible in everything we do.  This is not just in terms of looking after the children in our charge, but also in every other aspect of our lives – both at camp and beyond.  Campers often look up to and aspire to be counsellors.  They notice everything (even the stuff that happens when they are not around…) and learn their values from us.  We need to be responsible for installing in them a good set of values, so that they in turn can pass these on to those they come into contact with.

Summary

These are the underlying values for any leader, mentor, or role model – regardless of the environment, be it a YMCA, a Summer Camp, or simply at the local mall.  If we can all work towards living up to these ideals we will all make great role models, and in turn help create better future leaders through our example.

I am looking forward to getting back to camp, and working on integrating some clearly defined training around these values.  I have confidence that our staff have all these attributes and don’t need to be taught this, but it is always worthwhile reminding and reinforcing the values we are all working towards so we don’t become complacent.

Now that I got that off my chest – it’s time to get back to the fun stuff! 

Time to start packing… (in fact I’ve almost finished…)