Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA) Peer CONNECTS: Camp Directors Summer Recap by Daniel Auer https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp Please share questions and resources related to summer camps. Please 'like' a resource if you found it helpful. en-us 2022-08-24 17:38:45 UTC 2022-11-16 20:58:38 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-uploads.storage.googleapis.com/1504234218/f3e8152b9fd6b69b7994ba2ad84fec6b/ANCA_leaf_circle_social_dark_green_trans.png Counselor time off/call-offs https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2320014916 Where do we draw the line for "you can or can't call-off"? I know that we all sometimes need to take days for our health (physical and/or mental) especially when working in such a demanding space, but we had call-offs for over half of the camp days this summer.]]> 2022-09-29 19:47:10 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2320014916 Recruiting enough seasonal employees https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2327575258 My team's goal was to have 4 summer seasonals to lead camp, and we luckily got 3, two of which were last-minute hires.
My organization overall wasn't able to hire enough summer seasonals, especially for our camps. 
I know hiring is a struggle in many industries currently. Anybody have success recruiting and hiring a full staff this summer? Especially interested in tips to appeal to young adults (18 - 25) and to increase diversity of staff. ]]> 2022-10-05 13:25:50 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2327575258 Staff Retention and Recruitment for New Team Members https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2335297312 What strategies do you use for staff retention? What has been the most effective practices for recruiting new team members? What steps are you taking to recruit a diverse pool of candidates?]]> 2022-10-11 13:38:28 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2335297312 Camp Program in General Public Areas https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2335319801 Due to a catastrophic flood, we had to move our camp to a temporary space that is much closer to more popular public spaces that have more visitors. Do any of your camps share their space with public programming? What measures have you put into place to ensure a safe, secure camp environment? How do you manage the 'camp experience' vs. the need for nature to be a quiet, restorative place for visitors with different needs? ]]> 2022-10-11 13:49:29 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2335319801 Teen Volunteer Program - Expansion https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2335379167 In the last 3 years we have expanded our teen volunteer program from 70 volunteers to a team of 150 members. Instead of turning teens away, we have now included two new positions to allow more to volunteer. It is a significant way we serve teens through our organization. The three roles are Counselors-in-Training, Activity Crew Members, and Teen Volunteer Crew Leaders -(leadership position for ages 16 to 17). We learned a lot last year with the pilot and are actively designing the program to make it even better this coming summer.]]> 2022-10-11 14:18:20 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2335379167 ACA - The Staffing Summit https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2335394155 ACA Inc., ACA, New York and New Jersey, and ACA, New England are proud to present the 2022 Staffing Summit.

The 2022 Staffing Summit will feature critical learning, speaker panels, roundtables and engaging sessions spanning three days.  The virtual delivery of the conference increases the benefits of convenience and value while preserving the great networking and timely information which are hallmarks of ACA conferences.  We will share practical solutions around addressing the staffing shortage, innovative ways to recruit staff and best practices for staff retention. 

The 2022 Staffing Summit will offer 45 sessions on out of the box ways to connect with staff, virtual job fairs and interviewing, recruiting specialized staff, and so much more.  Session recordings will be available to attendees for one month following the conference. Each day will have featured speakers, keynote presentations from industry thought leaders and networking opportunities to share resources and ideas.  Don’t miss one of the most important events of the season!

Please send questions to John Beitner jbeitner@acacamps.org

 

]]> 2022-10-11 14:26:01 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2335394155 Youth Mental Health Courses https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2335413748

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.



]]> 2022-10-11 14:35:53 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2335413748 Emotional impacts of covid isolaton on campers. https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2337803982 We've encountered more kids with emotional difficulties this past summer than ever before. A lot of it seems to be reverberations from the isolation of the pandemic---kids not knowing how to socialize, lacking the skills to cope when they get upset, lashing out physically when frustrated. Our seasonal staff does not have the training to provide the support that these kids need, and end up becoming burned out. Have you experienced anything similar? What kinds of trainings are available to prepare counselors for kids with specific emotional needs? ]]> 2022-10-13 00:01:21 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2337803982 Children with Behavioral/Emotional Needs not identified prior to camp https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2338728345 Similar to the above comment. 
Our campers tend to come for only one or two weeks of camp. This year we had several who had significant emotional and behavioral needs - resulting in a lot of one:one supervision by staff. Our staff is not trained in this type of intervention for the most part. In one instance, the child was asked not to return after only two days of camp as the child was a flight risk and physically attacked staff and campers. We need resources and strategies to address what I fear will be a new norm.

]]> 2022-10-13 13:07:16 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2338728345 Staff training https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339111099 I have been managing the camp for 2 years now and we only had one day of training for staff. I think for experienced lead counselors who are already accustomed to working with kids, its enough. But we also hire assistant counselors who are all teenagers, and they really need to learn more than just the basics. I am curious about how other camps structure their staff training prior to camp, how many hours of training everyone receives, etc. Are there additional trainings or feedback throughout the summer? How do we get teenagers really up to speed, especially if its their first job?]]> 2022-10-13 16:43:08 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339111099 Deciding who should stay https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339118641 Obviously we want to keep the amazing counselors, but what about the ones who are borderline? They didn't do anything amazing, but also weren't horrible. I am leaning towards having a serious conversation prior to rehiring some of my assistant counselors for next year, and really make it clear what the areas for improvement would be. However, we also tend to get plenty of applicants for assistant counselor (good Lead Counselors are much harder to find). With so many applicants, should I just interview new candidates and take a chance on someone new?]]> 2022-10-13 16:48:01 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339118641 Tips and Tricks - How to make Day Camp AWESOME!! https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339255221 2022-10-13 18:21:36 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339255221 Balancing Camp with other duties https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339260292 2022-10-13 18:25:21 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339260292 Staff Training - How to, what's important, orientation https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339261387 2022-10-13 18:26:08 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339261387 Inclusion - How to encourage, get people in, transportation? https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339266074 2022-10-13 18:29:15 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339266074 Staff training on Responsive Management https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339283855 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 ]]> 2022-10-13 18:42:41 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339283855 Mindfulness training https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339284150 2022-10-13 18:42:58 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339284150 Beating the Heat - How to deal with the weather https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339295597 2022-10-13 18:52:32 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339295597 https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339298097 Many camp directors report that often 1 misbehaving camper can throw off the entire group. Many times, parents seem to be unaware of the problems their kids are having/causing at camp.]]> 2022-10-13 18:54:31 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339298097 Not receiving info from parents https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339299580 Although questions on behavior and emotional issues are present on registration forms, parents often don't divulge relevant info, leaving staff unprepared.]]> 2022-10-13 18:55:42 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339299580 Solutions used https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339302645 Some counselors have implemented "quiet time" for campers to meditate or write in journals when they needed to regulate their behavior. In some cases, parents have misinterpreted these interventions as discipline or exclusionary.]]> 2022-10-13 18:58:12 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339302645 Kids are behind due to the pandemic, isolated at home with little opportunities to practice social/emotional skills among peers. https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339303566 2022-10-13 18:59:02 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339303566 Trauma informed training https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339307864 2022-10-13 19:02:37 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339307864 Chat Log cause there's so much good stuff! https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339308899 This is really messy, but I can try to format it better later]]> 2022-10-13 19:03:34 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339308899 Camp staff at Tremont have had success with Responsive Management training https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339309538 Counselors use one-on-one check-ins with campers to as an opportunity to learn what is going on with them and find the root of their behavior. Counselors come up with solutions along with campers; helping them to be the best they can be rather than focus on discipline.]]> 2022-10-13 19:04:09 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339309538 Diversity of background knowledge among camp staff https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339313760 Directors have reported that it is beneficial to hire counselors with a wide variety of backgrounds (i.e., not all wildlife science majors) to maximize the skill set among staff. Counselors with teaching backgrounds often come better equipped to handle behavioral problems.]]> 2022-10-13 19:07:43 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339313760 ANCAmembership https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339362920 2022-10-13 19:52:04 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339362920 ANCAmembership https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339363192 2022-10-13 19:52:20 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339363192 ANCAmembership https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339365229 2022-10-13 19:54:32 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339365229 ANCAmembership https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339365705 2022-10-13 19:55:04 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339365705 Zoom Chat ANCAmembership https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339367082 2022-10-13 19:56:26 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/rl97n7ar6xh62ypp/wish/2339367082