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The Youth Mental Health First Aid Course is designed to teach individuals how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders. The scenarios used throughout the course are camp based.

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© 2022 American Camp Association, Inc. A 501(c)(3) Organization.

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Hi all, in the Camper Emotional Needs group I shared some successes we had at Tremont with moving to a responsive management system. Here are the slides from our training session. We also spent a lot of time in training on clear, concise directions, which we few as the first line of camper management that can prevent issues before they arise. Let me know if you have any questions- logan@gsmit.org

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The School, Teacher, & Student Workshop sessions are designed to provide school communities the support needed to practice daily mindfulness and self-care. Through a culturally-relevant, pedagogy enhanced version of mindfulness, school communities step closer to being more emotionally healthy and self-aware. Includes:

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The School, Teacher, & Student Workshop sessions are designed to provide school communities the support needed to practice daily mindfulness and self-care. Through a culturally-relevant, pedagogy enhanced version of mindfulness, school communities step closer to being more emotionally healthy and self-aware. Includes:

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Find jobs in conservation, natural resources, ecology, wildlife, forestry, botany, marine biology, fisheries, and environmental education.

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Office of Elementary and Secondary Education

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Resources - Office of Elementary and Secondary Education

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This page contains links to publications, research, reports, related sites, technical assistance, events notices, or presentations for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers.

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Difficulty getting counselors for full summer commitment. Many requesting multiple weeks off and struggling to find fill-ins that are also available for training week. What are others doing? Do you offer competitive pay, or weeks off, or other creative perks for your staff?

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The Alliance for Camp Health (formerly the Association of Camp Nursing) just came out with a revised MESH+ (Mental, Emotional, Social Health) resource guide ($50 for non-members, $25 for members). There is also a handy pocket guide for summer staff ($5).

https://allianceforcamphealth.org/product/mesh-document/

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MESH Resource Guide - Alliance for Camp Health

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This comprehensive MESH Resource Guide will assist camps in preparing for summer programming, to include staff hiring and camper preparation for a successful camp stay. Content will also include strategies for working with campers and staff during the program.

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I am heading into my 20th (gulp!) summer as camp director with the least experienced staff I have ever had. We have some solid folks returning, but there is only one counselor left from 2020 and only three from 2021. It will be a daunting task to try to get all the new folks up to speed.

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I'm just curious what everyone's thoughts and plans are for this third (or maybe fourth for some of you) summer operating in the pandemic, particularly with the imminent end of the emergency declaration. Specifically, what if any requirements are camps planning to implement regarding vaccination or testing?

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Child Behavior Training with new staff, does anyone bring in a paraprofessional or do you lead your own instruction? We are looking for a deeper training for our staff.

How do you communicate important information with parents best during camp - email? text?

For registration- do you have specific age parameters and birth dates for grade groups? More and more we have students falling outside of our age parameters and getting bumped out of their group which we need to manually override in our system (our camp sells out in minutes).

Mentoring CITs (counselors in training) during camp day, do you have a dedicated staff member for that or is it a shared role?

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For staff recruitment: we have raised our pay rates, offered hiring bonuses, and let them pick and choose the weeks they work. It might bite us in the but in the end, having to try and fill in empty spots. But, we have hired people that normally would not have applied because of their availability. We have struggled for so long with staffing that we are taking what we can get.
For turnover: we are going to have an incredibly green staff this year as well. Only a few counselors from the pre-pandemic days. It is daunting thinking about getting them ready. We have upped our training, and are putting more work into it than ever before.

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Creating an engaging and valuable camp training week that covers conversations about diversity, equity and inclusion, safety, and team building!

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How do other camps deal with time off for lunch breaks? I need staff to still supervise campers during lunch. In the past, I have had staff sit with campers through lunch and then allowed them to leave 30 minutes early but have recently gotten push back from staff on this.

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We've always done our own staff training for the past 20 years with staff that have moved up within our ranks (campers to CIT's to staff), but that doesn't always happen the last few years and with more inexperienced staff lately, we are looking for ways to supplement our staff training. Does anyone know of good resources out there on staff training?

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Staff hiring for sure! None of my past staff can return for various reasons so we have to start all over training new employees. 

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Staff hiring for sure! None of my past staff can return for various reasons so we have to start all over training new employees. 

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We want to be a place that welcomes all children but the training for staff to properly manage children with varying needs is challenging. I never want to turn a child away (unless extreme circumstances) but where to find resources to train so they are prepared. 

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We want to be a place that welcomes all children but the training for staff to properly manage children with varying needs is challenging. I never want to turn a child away (unless extreme circumstances) but where to find resources to train so they are prepared. 

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How to set up staff for success in dealing with higher camper emotional needs since the pandemic has hit. Many staff take a very deep dive/empathetic response to meet individual camper behavioral needs without appropriate training.

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How to set up staff for success in dealing with higher camper emotional needs since the pandemic has hit. Many staff take a very deep dive/empathetic response to meet individual camper behavioral needs without appropriate training.

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We only have a one day orientation for all of our Seasonal Staff and it is difficult to get the training
we need in only one day.

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Irvine - Marketing person heavily uses social media and local ads
Chatahoochee - That plus Job Fairs, posters around nature center
Hawaii - HR unit has a "real jobs" local hiring platform, also Indeed, big problem is people wanting to come from mainland - want people from HI preferably.
Scuylkill - Outdoor Ed FB groups, direct college connections and job fairs, Handshake
Bluff Lake - Facebook Ads, but not known if effective
Darien Nature Center - FB Moms groups

Handshake is hit or miss - Maybe good for virtual job fairs

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Include on camp forms "How can we help your camper have the best experience?
Then meet with parents/guardians before camp to discuss needs and strategies

Have a daily schedule posted with words and pictures. Laminated schedule for the individual children who need it. Potentially share a loose schedule with parents/guardians prior to camp.

Train staff in mindfulness, lots of mindfulness resources and consultants out there. Consider yoga.

Drop the Emotional Rope- don't get pulled into emotionally charged conversations, take a break to breathe and calm yourself if needed

Talk through scenarios

How do we help other campers deal with one of their friends having an emotional outburst?

Make sure you document instances and connect with supervisor and parents/guardians

Restorative Consequences

Try to connect with an expert in child behavior to train you or staff or just ask questions

ACA (American Camp Association) has lots of resources

PBIS trainings (Positive behavioral intervention)

PAX training

Letting children know that you're so glad to see them, particularly after a bad day. Glad that they're back, you're here to support them.

Conflict Resolution Training

Resolution Station - Kids in conflict go and select something to do to resolve their conflict (draw a picture for each other, for example)

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-Add section to registration "how can we help your child have a good time" so that parents can offer proactive solutions

-Train staff in mindfulness (drop the emotional rope)

-Yoga (ABC's of yoga for kids)

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Using online trainings (such as expert online training) to better train staff before the staff training formally starts.

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Why are campers not attending your program?

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Why are campers not attending your program?

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Staff limits, capacity for whole family to attend same camp, 1/2 vs full day, be at the same week as campers friends.

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Do it on a timescale - higher for earlier hiring, paid at end of minimum time

Call it a "completion bonus" instead

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Having a support system for staff, which is well defined, can be great for helping staff know who to talk to and how to handle more situations.

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A mental health training for staff can help them handle the higher social emotional needs of todays campers.

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I enjoyed being taught to "drop the emotional rope" when working with kids as a counselor to redirect the behavior without engaging in it too deeply or becoming dysregulated

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https://www.kickinitwithki.com/services

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We do plant & animal poses from the ABCs of yoga for kiddos book!

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Mindfulness Educator: https://www.kickinitwithki.com/services

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I took a training focusing on "restorative" consequences, and how we can return the child to the class and to their peers. We try to talk about differences between us and our emotions on day one, using social stories and other books on feelings for little ones.

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ACA Incident Report Form: https://www.acacamps.org/sites/default/files/resource_library/03-HW-Accident-Incident-Report-Form.doc

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There are costs associated with these trainings: https://www.acacamps.org/events-education/online-learning/courses-webinars

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PBIS model training is helpful, though a bit more focused on long-term classroom management. Trainings were all online!

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Counselors - Paid at normal rate
CITs - Expense of First Aid/CPR paid

July 3 in-service training day

3-days of training is not a lot, especially when staff need to also plan activities.

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Check Out CampDoc's webcasts-- The CheckUp: https://vimeo.com/docnetwork

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https://naaee.org offers lots of training & a database of jobs and conferences, super helpful!

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https://challengingbehavior.org/docs/SocialEmotionalSkills_solution-kit_cue-cards.pdf here's one that's good! you can also add ones that fit best for your classroom

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here is a similar one: https://vkrp.virginia.edu/content/pdfs/40.%20Solutions%20kit%20cards%20II.pdf

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Find local orgs that work with kids to be a pipeline

Set up in blocks of time (two weeks, four weeks, etc)

Training separate from staff as a one-day event

Use as a pipeline for new staff

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1-week break scheduled in advance

Blocks of time offered (4-week or 5-week options)

Offer PTO-  1 hr/wk?

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Related to what was mentioned earlier about preteens and teens being destructive of property- doesn't always help, but I try to make a "Yes" space- AKA something they can destroy, providing an outlet for their anger, frustration, etc.

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Having LGBTQ+ training done to help educate staff. (the childrens' book "Neither" can also be helpful)

Also having training done for staff on ADD/ADHD/ASD/etc. to better help them and set the campers and staff up for success.

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We've done something similar by having cardboard boxes and things we were going to throw out anyways so they can take their frustrations out

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Curriculum and prep taken care of in advance, included in training

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13:48:02 From Dan Auer - ANCA to Everyone:
	https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/association-of-nature-center-administrators-anca-connects-su-ic5lwo7gwlg5dydn
14:06:01 From Dan Auer - ANCA to Everyone:
	https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/association-of-nature-center-administrators-anca-connects-su-ic5lwo7gwlg5dydn
14:08:15 From Jen Levy (she/her), ANCA to Everyone:
	Dan - Camper Recruitment and Retention
14:08:31 From Jen Levy (she/her), ANCA to Everyone:
	Jennifer - Camper Behavior and Emotional Needs
14:08:44 From Jen Levy (she/her), ANCA to Everyone:
	Hunter - Staff Training
14:09:15 From Jen Levy (she/her), ANCA to Everyone:
	James - Staff Recruitment and Retention
14:45:09 From Dan Auer - ANCA to Everyone:
	https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/association-of-nature-center-administrators-anca-connects-su-ic5lwo7gwlg5dydn
15:02:05 From Dan Auer - ANCA to Everyone:
	https://natctr.org/services/forums
15:07:00 From Jen Levy (she/her), ANCA to Everyone:
	https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/association-of-nature-center-administrators-anca-connects-su-ic5lwo7gwlg5dydn
15:20:23 From Lauren Bentson - Tacoma Nature Center (She/Her) to Everyone:
	A full day at camp is a long day for a 3 year old...
15:20:47 From Lauren Bentson - Tacoma Nature Center (She/Her) to Everyone:
	Who here offers extended care? what hours?
15:21:14 From Ariana Davis (she/her) Tualatin Hills Nature Center to Everyone:
	We run 3-5 year old half day camps all summer, along with half and full days for 6-9, and full days for 10-13. We provide support for those who are picking up from both, staying about 15-30 min after check out to assist with families picking up from both camps.
15:21:33 From Maggie Groce to Everyone:
	Our regular camp day is 10-3 but we offer care 8am-5pm. in varying lengths of day depending on what the family needs
15:21:50 From Lauren Bentson - Tacoma Nature Center (She/Her) to Everyone:
	We offer 9-3:30 day camp, but extended care 8:30-5p
15:22:14 From Lauren Bentson - Tacoma Nature Center (She/Her) to Everyone:
	$50 flat fee for extended care for the week
15:22:16 From Justine O'Gara (She/They) - Schuylkill Center for Enviro. Ed. to Everyone:
	My center offers both before care and aftercare. Before care from 8-9 and then the aftercare from 3-6.
15:22:31 From Ariana Davis (she/her) Tualatin Hills Nature Center to Everyone:
	biggest problems with extending hours for us are funding and staffing, no before or after care offered since full days start at 8 am
15:22:56 From Isabel Mendoza Bluff Lake Nature Center to Everyone:
	For counselor trainings-- in the same line of LGBTQ inclusion, how do we train counselors to respond to instances of racism or racist comments by campers?
15:23:12 From Jay DeGregorio to Everyone:
	We've also had feedback about the desire for full day PreK but it would require a lot more capacity and inevitably would pass on a cost
15:23:43 From Ariana Davis (she/her) Tualatin Hills Nature Center to Everyone:
	We are partnered with the local school district to provide bussing for families that need it!
15:23:57 From Hideko Secrest (she/her) Awbury Arboretum to Everyone:
	Do those who offer after-care have to hire other educators for those times? How difficult is that? Our counselors canât work more than 8 hours a day.
15:24:08 From Justine O'Gara (She/They) - Schuylkill Center for Enviro. Ed. to Everyone:
	Our before care is through our counselors, there is a set schedule they pick and then get an extra 100 dollars, and we already have a set aftercare staff who are part time.
15:24:26 From Lauren Bentson - Tacoma Nature Center (She/Her) to Everyone:
	Same Hideko, we use the same program staff which is our primary limiting factor on extended care hours.
15:24:40 From Dan Auer - ANCA to Everyone:
	https://natctr.org/services/forums
15:24:50 From Jay DeGregorio to Everyone:
	Great question, Hideko. We're in the same boat
15:25:26 From Lauren Bentson - Tacoma Nature Center (She/Her) to Everyone:
	I've started splitting staff shifts to cover AM and PM extended care separately
15:25:30 From Dan Auer - ANCA to Everyone:
	https://natctr.org/events/calendar
15:25:40 From Erin Stebbins (she/her) - Beaver Lake Nature Center to Everyone:
	Our camp naturalists work camp and either pre or post care so they don't go over 8 hours a day
15:26:08 From James Frank- Maryland - Lure of the Wild Nature Camps - (he/him) to Everyone:
	Reacted to "Our camp naturalists..." with ð
15:27:11 From Shekinah - CampDoc to Everyone:
	Thank you! I appreciate hearing from you all! If you'd like to know more about CampDoc, please reach out! shekinah@campdoc.com
15:27:22 From Laura Viator (she/her) Chattahoochee Nature Center to Everyone:
	Thanks everyone!!
15:27:28 From Rachel Anderson - Warner Park Nature Center to Everyone:
	As always, it was great to hear ideas, share successes, and listen to challenges. Thank you ANCA for this opportunity!
15:27:58 From Lauren Bentson - Tacoma Nature Center (She/Her) to Everyone:
	Thanks all.
15:28:00 From Phebe Meyers - Aspen Center for Environemntal Studies (ACES) she to Everyone:
	Thank you!
15:28:01 From Ariana Davis (she/her) Tualatin Hills Nature Center to Everyone:
	Thank you all for your time and resources, this has been great! Best of luck to you all this summer, we got this! May it be a great one :)
15:28:10 From Kelly Steyer (she/her) - Cincinnati Nature Center to Everyone:
	Thank you!!
15:28:16 From anne to Everyone:
	Thank you for all of the great information!
15:28:23 From Kathy Davidson Placer Nature Center Auburn California to Everyone:
	Thanks everyone
15:28:35 From Justine O'Gara (She/They) - Schuylkill Center for Enviro. Ed. to Everyone:
	Thank you all so much! This was awesome :D
15:28:45 From Lauren Bentson - Tacoma Nature Center (She/Her) to Everyone:
	Good luck everyone!
15:38:59 From Jay DeGregorio to Everyone:
	Have to run to make it to another meeting. Thanks so much everyone! Best of luck with prep and camp times this summer!