Many have been to children's summer camps at one time, and each has different emotions from this type of rest. Someone recalls the past summer days with delight, while someone would prefer to forget them as soon as possible. And although the impression of a shift in the camp is made up of many factors, undoubtedly one of the most important is a good counselor in the squad.
Instructions
Step 1
If you are going to the camp for the first time, try to collect the maximum amount of information about it. How are the buildings, dining room, medical room, administration offices, counselor rooms and other strategically important points located; the daily routine in the camp, official and unofficial traditions, the number of units and the approximate age of the children in them - all this will facilitate your further work. Finding out all this is not so difficult - camp sites, official pages in social networks will help you. Also, some camps organize preliminary fees, where you can "live" get acquainted with the future place of work and residence.
Step 2
"Calm, only calm!" These words should be your main motto for this shift. This concerns communication not only with children, but also with the camp administration, partner (second counselor), parents of children … By the way, about the parents. In some camps with parents, educators decide all issues, which means we do not forget to clarify this point as well.
Step 3
And now, the camp has been selected, all the necessary information has been collected. What's next? And then you need to decide on the desired age of the children. How to decide which squad to enroll in counselors? What is the best age? There is no single answer to this question, since each age has its own characteristics, difficulties and bonuses. Books on developmental psychology will help you here, as well as a great variety of thematic sites.
Step 4
Required clothes and documents Depending on the camp, both of these sets may differ, and sometimes significantly, but there is still the same. From the documents - this is a medical book, an extract of available vaccinations. From clothes - a hat, pants (sports or jeans), light shoes, T-shirts and a pair of warm clothes. After all, even in the hottest countries, cold days happen, and do not forget about night bonfires with the detachment and, of course, planning meetings, which often take place after lights out.
Step 5
So, the preparation is over. Or not? If possible, it is worth studying the plan-grid of the upcoming shift even before the start of the shift itself. So you can roughly think over each of the activities, plan your work. If your imagination and creativity are very tight, prepare in advance one or two versions of the numbers for each of the performances. And then in the camp it will only be necessary to finalize these options together with the children and how to rehearse. You can also think over the name of the detachment, the motto, the detachment corner in advance. It is highly likely that you will see the grid plan for the first time only in the camp, at the beginning of the shift. In this case, do not despair, but try to find out about the traditionally held activities in the camp. And then proceed according to the above scheme.
Step 6
A few words about the detachment corner. This is exactly what you should worry about in advance. Think over a rough sketch, design, arrangement of elements. Some blanks can be made at home and brought with you to the camp. It can be as all kinds of pictures for decoration, and various "birthday sheets", "mood screens" and so on. In each camp, counselors are given stationery: paints, brushes, colored paper, scissors, but they are always sorely lacking. So, it is worth taking care of it "on the shore". It is also worth taking care of the design of the common detachment room (corridor, veranda), because bare walls are so boring!
Step 7
And here you are in the camp. Documents and clothes are in order, the office is well stocked, the detachment corner is beautifully decorated, the children have learned the name and motto of the detachment, and are ready for events. What's next? And then everything is simple. We look after the children, listen to their problems, help, organize all kinds of games at any free moment. By the way, it is also worth taking care of games with children in advance. As well as about the music and costumes for the numbers. And most importantly, don't be afraid to ask for help! The other counselors, the teacher, the administration - all the members of the friendly camp team!
