Counselors Counselors ideally should be between the ages of 18-24, but exceptions can be made. They do not need to have had experience with DS; in fact, Camp is a great way to make new advocates. Each counselor will be assigned a camper, whom they will room and travel with throughout the week. CPS (Camp PALS Support) A CPS is a staff member who is not assigned to a particular camper. The CPS team helps execute the logistics of Camp, such as setting up for Camp Olympics or the dance. They can also sub-in for a counselor-buddy pair. It is important to highlight CPS team unity and that, while the CPS members do not have the one-on-one bonding experience that counselors have, they do have the chance to build friendships with various campers. Head Counselors Each team, of around 5-10 pairs, has an experienced, responsible head counselor. They play a crucial role: they are the first people counselors go to with any problems. They are troubleshooters and cheerleaders. They also manage the logistics of their team, making sure everyone knows where to be and is there on time. Directors go to them to disseminate information about schedule changes and for head counts before and after trips. Depending on the size of their team, directors can decide whether or not HCs have their own camper. Counselor Recruitment Recruitment can happen organically, from word-of-mouth and internet searches. You can reach out to Best Buddies college chapters, the NDSS and the NDSC, utilize www.volunteermatch.com, and buy Facebook ads. You can also organize a Campus Representative program, where you supply advertising materials and some funding for counselors to make a concerted effort to recruit on their college campuses. Remember that you must target nurses, photographers, and videographers as well. Counselor Application The application is released in the fall. On the form, we ask for the applicant's name, birth date, gender, cell number, home address, emergency contact information, shirt size, and how many times they have been to Camp. If they are new applicants, we ask how they heard about camp, why they want to be a counselor, and if they have any special skills, such as if they are a photographer or a lifeguard. See our most recent application here. We acknowledge receipt of each application, and subsequently schedule interviews. Interviews + Selection All new counselors need to be interviewed. They can be brief, twenty minute phone interviews. Ours are conducted by one director and one head counselor via Skype. We ask questions about their experience, their motivation for coming to Camp, and how they interpret the role of a counselor. We also incorporate role-plays, to see how they problem solve. After the interview, we write down a score (1-5) and comments, and tell the applicant when to expect a decision. Then all the interviewers conference and discuss the applicants, to decide 'yes', 'no', or 'alternate'. We do not require experience; rather, we look for enthusiasm, quick thinking, and a desire to be part of our community. We often have a few rounds of interviews and selections. Buddy Pairs We want to give new counselors the chance to get to know other staff members before camp begins. This allows them to learn more about Camp and to have a friendly face when they arrive. We randomly pair new staff members with same-sex returning staff. Teams We want to ensure that counselors work well with and enjoy their teammates. They are each others main support-system. We often put friends or similarly-aged people on the same team. Team spirit and unity enhances the Camp experience for everyone. Head Counselors should arrange a conference call with their team before Camp begins, to facilitate introductions and answer questions. Counselor Forms We have many online forms, and we found it best to compile them all on a website, such as this. This way, counselors know all that they are expected to complete. Here is a list of the forms we require: 1. Travel information - so that we know if you need to be picked up from the airport or train station. 2. Ride Board - where counselors can organize carpools to camp. 3. Choice Activity Preferences - counselors chose which activities they want to participate in or lead. 4. Apparel preferences - to order extra t-shirts, sweatshirts, etc. 5. Background Check- give permission, submit full name, disclose legal rights 6. Counselor Contract - counselors can electronically sign this (or their parents if they are under 18). 7. Counselor Blurb+ Photo - for counselor handbook 8. Emergency Contact Information - submit name, address, phone numbers. 9. Dietary Restrictions - submit allergies, note if kosher or vegetarian, etc. Background Checks All staff, including directors, need to pass a background check. We used www.backgroundchecks.com and ordered the US One Search. It is important to make sure your checks include criminal and sexual offense screenings, preferably multi-state. Note that staff under 18 will not be included in these databases. In order to run the checks, we ask for counselors' permission, disclose their legal rights, and ask for their full names, including middle name. Here is the form we sent to counselors. Counselor Contracts We have a staff contract so that they know the rules and guidelines they are expected to abide by. All staff must sign contract. Here is our contract. Note that counselors under 18 must have a legal guardian sign their contract. Communication Prior to Camp There is much information to communicate to the staff before camp begins. We send them information such as counselor statistics, resource information about DS, exact dates and times of Camp, and an explanation of Camp structure. If necessary, we ask for CPS and photographer volunteers. We announce counselor buddy pairs, teams and team conference calls, and camper pairings with contact information. We send a packing list and send directions to Camp. Some of these communications are compiled here. Counselor Handbook The first half of the handbook is information about Down syndrome. Here is what we have compiled.The second half of the counselor handbook is comprised of forms particular to that year. This includes the choice activity schedule, counselor cell hone numbers, team lists, camper's emergency contact information, etc. Counselor Orientation We have Head Counselors (HC) come three days before Camp begins, to conduct HC orientation, where we review their role at camp and do leadership activities. The following day, the new counselors come in the morning for their own orientation. This gives them a chance to get to know each other through ice breakers, get advice from head counselors, and learn some of the basics about Down syndrome. We have the rest of the staff come a little later to bond through team activities. The next day, we have all-staff training. We review how do handle difficult situations with campers. We also go over the nuts and bolts of Camp: the schedule, spreadsheets, reimbursements, safety, staff meetings, rules, blogging, etc. Nightly Meetings Theses meetings give the staff a chance to be together as a group. Depending on the size of the camp, this can be a space to share stories from the day, talk about want went well or poorly in terms of logistics or with a camper. A priority of these meetings is to go over the next-day's schedule. We often recognize exceptional counselors with a small prize, or the entire staff with pizza or Chinese food. If camp is too large to allow counselors to properly debrief their days, then HCs can have smaller team meetings after the staff meeting, and the larger meeting can be used primarily for relaying logistical information. Directors should also consider having debriefing meetings with the HCs. Counselor Feedback It is important to receive feedback from the staff, to know what went well and what can be improved upon. A few days after Camp, we send out this online form that combines quantitative and qualitative methods. We ask about the trips, the choice activities, the leadership, and ideas for the future. |