Being the “cool” counsellor really isn’t all it’s cracked up to be…
Welcome to episode 14 of First Class Counsellors!
One of the best things about producing a podcast is when you get to hear from your listeners.
Even if it’s just a “hey, thanks!”, it really is appreciated to hear someone “talk” back after hours of us talking into our unresponsive microphones!
What’s even more appreciate is when our listeners reach out with a show suggestion! That’s where the inspiration for this episode came from. Here’s an excerpt from what we received from a Camp Director:
“We do our best to keep a 3-year age difference between staff and campers, but our youngest staff members still interact with our oldest campers during meals and all-camp activities. And, even a more experienced counselor can make these mistakes. I'd love to hear what you guys think! “
Those types of emails are why we’re here as a Podcast. Oliver and Matt saw this email, dropped everything, and got recording!
Tune in to this episode to talk through boundary-setting with teens, and more:
What types of camp programs draw teens to camp? Why do they choose to come to them?
What are some of the best parts about working with teens? How about the not-so-great parts?
How to set boundaries with teens in a way that recognizes their maturity, but draws a hard line at what is and isn’t appropriate
Ways to set teens up for success as they get ready to become camp staff
Some ideas for counsellors who want to work with teens someday
And as we always say, FOLLOW YOUR POLICIES FIRST, then try our advice ;)
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Like our awesome listener, if you have a suggestion for a future FCC show, send Matt an email at matt@gocamp.pro
Get Ready - Counsellors, do this NOW to level up your counselling skills
Oliver:
Are you sitting there wondering if you should come back to camp? Make up your mind now!!! We are in February, but this also makes sense in December or November for many camps. I'm finishing off my hiring and I know some staff are going to be disappointed they don’t have a job this summer, but they haven't applied. Get on it and reach out to someone who might be losing camp in their lives
Matt:
Do a social media audit and compare what you see in your posts to your “camp self”. Is this the type of person you would be comfortable showing to a camper or camper’s parent? What messages are you sending out about yourself? Even if it’s a “finsta”, think about if you’re proud of the type of person you are showing off to the world.
Host Links
Oliver Gregan, Summer and Families Camp Director at YMCA Camp Jewell
Matt Honsberger, Executive Producer of Podcasting at Go Camp Pro
Bonus Resource - Because you read the show notes, and you’re awesome!
Awesome things to do that can only be done with teens
Oliver:
They prep a program
PG 13 movie night!!! Bum bum bum
Late nights and sleep-ins
Serious challenge activities
Talent shows with actual talent
Late-night porch talks about the complexity of the universe, life and beyond
Matt:
Night Games & Night Hikes
Overnights, sleeping in more random locations
Boardgame night
Competitive Sports
Deeper conversations with the camp director or faith conversations with a camp chaplain
What is First Class Counsellors?
Camp Directors, this Podcast isn’t for you. It’s time to delegate! First Class Counsellors is for your counselling staff, the ones who are on the ground, playing with kids and changing lives.
Each week, we’ll cover practical and accessible tips that will level up your camp counsellor skills. These are things every counsellor should know, but that you may not have time to teach in staff training.
Our two hosts, Oliver Gregan, Summer and Families Camp Director at YMCA Camp Jewell and Matt Honsberger from Go Camp Pro are excited to be able to provide this resource to camp counsellors and up and coming staff, who they believe, have the most important job at camp.