As a parent there are certain guidelines we have to read and understand to make summer camp experience a wonderful enrichment for our little one. The camp organizers have a rulebook for summer camp behavior management guidelines for camp counselors. Fair and consistent discipline must be ensured to help utilize the summer camp time in most adequate manner. Some of these points are for enabling independent behavior in children and making them more and more aware of what is expected. In terms of attitude, interactions and actions there are some specified guidelines which must be adhered and followed.
[Read: Dealing with children’s behavior issues]
As a parent we must read and understand them before we drop off our child at the camp. So that we can discuss the details with our children and exemplify with our own behavior management technique. Sharing some camper needs and challenges and basic tools for behavior handling and management. Major behavior concerns of bullying and stealing must be addressed immediately. And at no point is camper deprived of food, sleep and restroom privileges.
[Read: What to do if your child is being bullied at school]
Some behavior management strategies enforced by camp counselors and staff include:
1- Be a role-model yourself and obey the rules to set an example for fellow campers
2- Reinforce desired behavior by discussing and appreciating the acts of kindness and briefing on the wrong behavior.
3- Be friendly and approachable. Show interest in campers and always be their friend and guide.
4- Build relationships with little campers and try to remember their names and interests as quickly as possible
5- Have a great sense of humor and make it a fun-filled experience
6- Keep your cool and do not let little campers get to you. As a counselor you must be able to contain your anger and do not act on impulse
7- Do not take the misbehavior too personal, the camper may not be intentionally doing it directed towards you. It is a wrong decision or a wrong choice they made.
8- Behavior is generally unintentional, but try to find causes for any misbehavior to understand the situation better.
9- Show disapproval of any particular behavior with non-verbal cues first. An eye contact and a firm look gives a brief understanding to the camper.
10- Enlist camp leaders and have them volunteer as role models in maintaining behavior of fellow campers
11- Identify the problem campers, and be around them more and more to prevent severe behavior issues from occurring
12- Allow natural consequences to occur, if they are not severe. As most cases the initial natural consequence helps in containing further behavior issues. And the child can vent out and meanwhile involve them in some more interesting activities.
[Read: Problem solving activities for teens]
13- With-hold privileges if the behavior gets severe. Give them time outs or time away from situation to cool off.
14- Have one to one discussions and group meetings to understand the causes of behavior and reiterate the desired behavior, with camp counselors and director in attendance
15- Be a part of campers fun time and also meal times, this helps in better connect with children
16- Ignorance works in some cases, so ignore some mild behavioral issues at first. Tolerating some mild behavior issues has been helpful in winning the campers faith and then with relationship building and ice breaking a more elaborate discussion on behavior may help prevent such cases further
17- Redirection or change of activity must be done for consistent behavior issues. This will help in developing interest in other enriching activities.
18- Share consequences of both desired and undesired behavior, sometimes a pat on back is worth more than 2 slaps. So do appreciate all the desired behaviors displayed.
19- Do not decide in haste, as a counselor it is very important to first find the causes and understand what actually led to such behavior. Seek help from fellow counselors and then decide the course of action
20- Giving attention and affection to the child resolves most problems. Give them some key role or important responsibility to improve their behavior
What to do when campers disobey and do not follow desired behavior guidelines:
1- Staff will give one warning for behavior being outside the code of conduct guidelines
2- Be consistent and impartial and give a chance to the camper to explain the causes for a particular behavior
3- Keep your patience and stay cool, calm and check your emotions
4- Do no embarrass the camper by lecturing with other fellow campers around, try and seek for more one to one private interactions.
5- Try being more as a friend when speaking about the unacceptable behavior. Do not give any personal remarks.
6- Stress that unacceptable behavior is the main issue and in no way the camper’s personality is at fault.
7- Once the discussion is over let the camper reintegrate and collaborate with the rest of the group but keep monitoring for more such issues.
8- If such behavior still pertains and the camper is unwilling to behave properly then inform the camp director or organizer about the same
9- Fill an incident report form always. And never deprive the camper of food, sleep and restroom in any situation.
10- Do no place the camper alone or shame them by ridiculing in group. This causes more severe psychological and behavioral issues. Never spank or shout on the campers, this is unacceptable from counselors and calls for a serious repercussion for counselors.
There are some severe behaviors which are unacceptable and result in camper suspension immediately. Parents must be called for discussion about these. If any camper behavior results in any of the below it is a serious issue:
1- Endangering health and safety of self or fellow campers
2- Stealing and damaging other campers belongings
3- Leaving the camp without permission
4- Using vulgar and profane statement or action
5- Abusing fellow campers and more specially if there are sexual abuses involved
Summer Camp Behavior Management Guidelines for camp counselors is compiled to help parents understand how rules and guidelines are formulated for summer camps. What to expect in terms of behavior management and counselor reactions. Also how would the child proceed from mild to severe steps taken by the camp director. And most importantly, the child would be safe under all circumstances and never assaulted despite their unacceptable behavior.
Check campnavigator for more insights into camp reviews and our comprehensive camp listings for this summer.
Share and keep writing us, we love your feedbacks.
By Minu Manisha
