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Platform Points ->
LINK TO FULL PLATFORM: https://tinyurl.com/h273f9c3

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Submit your questions directly underneath the platform point using the format below

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-All questions must be submitted before Saturday, 11:59pm.
-Questions will be made public on Sunday at 12pm.
-Anonymous Questions (non-context) will NOT be accepted.

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P1.Rebuilding communication with school contacts
P2. Increasing camper engagement/participation
P3.Fostering a close-knit SP community
P4. Transition to In-Person Programming
P5. Role of Assistant Directors

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Submit questions asking for context all the way to the right, using the format below

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STEMUp4Youth - STEM Instructor, Curriculum Assistant
Discovery Cube of Orange County - Camp Counselor
Link Crew - Link Leader
Rolling River Rampage VBS - Camp Counselor
Read on full platform

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Questions are directly below their respective platform points

Questions will be voted on by those present at the Election on Tuesday and then asked in order of votes

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ESP has had no school contact this semester as a lot more emphasis was placed on parent communication. In order to rebuild and preserve our LAUSD connections, it is crucial to keep the schools updated on the children’s performance as well as any plans that Troy Camp has in the works. In order to combat this issue, I intend to incorporate the use of month-long projects. I am aware that SP’s have been known to do an end-of-semester project such as the dance recital. However, by including these shorter month-long projects, we can provide the schools as well as the parents with monthly updates on camper engagement and performance. Drawing inspiration from the “category format” of SP’s, each month in the semester will be devoted to a certain category such as STEM, Dance, PE/Sports, or Creativity. At the beginning of the month, we’ll introduce our theme to the kids and gain feedback as to what they like, dislike, or want to add in order to ensure that everyone is on board with our project for the month. Each week of SP’s, the first half of the session will be dedicated to a specific activity (relevant to the month’s theme) that promotes group bonding and allows us to break the ice before we dive into our projects for the second half of the session. During our last month together, we’ll allow the kids to choose a project of their choice to invest in. For our final report, we will have them display their work as part of a showcase (similar to the end-of-semester project). By incorporating shorter month long projects coupled with a final larger project at the end of the semester, the schools and the parents will be able to witness a culmination of all we’ve done throughout the semester. Each month-long project serves to portray camper growth and engagement during the semester.

Another method of keeping our schools updated on camper progress and achievement is through the use of “Paper Plate Awards”. During the semester, counselors will compile a list of traits to describe each camper as well as their goals or aspirations. They will use that information to design an individual plate that best represents each camper. These plates will be revealed and awarded to the campers at the end of the semester.

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During my time volunteering in the SP sessions, I realized that sometimes we struggled to maintain camper engagement. This was especially the case when introducing newer activities which made it easy to fall back on the same activities in order to promote camper participation. However, in order to continue utilizing a variety of different activities each week while still upholding camper participation and engagement, I propose incorporating “Camper of the Week”. At the beginning of the semester, we will explain to the campers that each week an individual will be given the title of “Camper of the Week”. Counselors will be asked to observe which campers in their session are eager to participate as well as collaborate with their fellow campers. My goal is to assign a different “Camper of the Week” each session so that each kid will have the opportunity to be in the spotlight. The purpose of “Camper of the Week” is to encourage camper participation and collaboration. They will be more engaged in the activities if they know that their efforts will not be overlooked or ignored.

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In order to establish a stronger sense of community among the SP counselors, my plan is to work with Counselor Affairs and the SP heads to transform Week Zero into SP Welcome Week. During the hour allotted, counselors would spend the first half learning more about their roles/responsibilities in SP’s and the second half connecting with a diverse group of students through various bonding activities. By doing so, we can build a community in which counselors can support each other both in and out of SP’s. Counselors would not have to commit any extra time to this event and will not have to worry about it interfering with general TC orientation or TC Welcome Week.

Furthermore, I would like to incorporate weekly SP outings either after session or on a designated day of the week. These outings will give the SP heads the opportunity to gather feedback from the counselors on topics such as what they liked/disliked about the session or any activity ideas we can incorporate into future sessions. Not only are we able to obtain valuable feedback that can be used to improve future SP sessions, but we are also able to encourage open communication between counselors and their SP heads. By promoting transparent communication and invoking a sense of community, we can create a strong, dedicated team of SP counselors that can best attend to the needs of the campers.

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In terms of formatting, SP’s exhibited the most change when programming was moved online. Due to the necessity to adapt, we were exposed to other possibilities and formats concerning the future of SP’s. When returning to in-person programming (or even assuming a hybrid format), it is unclear whether or not we will revert back to the original SP format. If elected ESP director, I plan to spend May and early summer working closely with the current ESP director, the co-executives, and previous ESP directors in order to develop a stable plan that will last for years to come. Though the future of SP’s remains uncertain, I will ensure that the ultimate decision will be formed carefully and diligently.

Furthermore, I propose holding an open discussion with all members of the SP community in order to give everyone the opportunity to contribute to the conversation. SP counselors will be given the chance to voice their opinions and concerns regarding the future of SP’s in order to reinforce the value of communication and collaboration within the SP team. By getting counselors involved from the jump, we can ensure that everyone is on the same page.

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I plan to enforce the same role of assistant directors as the current ESP director, Hexagoo. My goal is to continue to emphasize the value that AD’s have as part of the SP community. SP’s have done a great job of reinforcing the team/family aspects of AD’s this semester and I strive to continue to carry that relationship into next year. AD’s will continue to serve as facilitators for programming logistics as well as communication. Their responsibilities will include:

Brainstorming and creating themed activities

Overseeing the completion of month-long projects as well as the final end-of-semester project

Ensuring all activity supplies are accounted for

Communicating with SP heads, parents, and school contacts

I intend to work closely with my AD’s over the summer in order to build the semester curriculum, communicate with the necessary parties, and ensure that everyone is on the same page regarding the SP format. During the semester, I plan to host weekly meetings with the AD’s in order to delegate responsibilities, take note of any updates, and give them the opportunity to voice any thoughts or concerns. AD’s are crucial to ensuring that SP’s run smoothly over the course of the semester and are highly valued within the SP community.

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For SP Dance, it takes the whole semester to come up with a dance. How will you ensure that month-long projects are long enough to create projects?

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How will you ensure that campers who do not ever receive "Camper of the Week" feel engaged and attached to SPs?