Camp Administration 101: Staff Training And Education
Putting in the time will pay dividends
By Jason Schaitz
Staff members are a camp’s most valuable assets, so invest in them by providing training, education, teambuilding, and networking opportunities, while empowering them to do great things! Here are some guidelines to make staff members the best they can be:
1. Have an orientation and training program to set expectations and review policies. Setting the tone for staff members early is important to get everyone on the same page and acclimated to how camp operates and what is expected. Some items that require a review prior to camp are not always the most exciting, so vary them to spice things up.
Here are some suggestions:
Give small “prizes” for answering a question or making a great comment
Role-play different camp scenarios that are sure to occur
Do group activities
Add videos and educational content
Move around to different areas of the facility
Encourage staff participation and question-and-answer sessions.
2. Take advantage of outside resources for new ideas. There are several great resources online that can provide tools and education to improve a camp. Continually search and seek out new ideas to keep things fresh.
3. Incorporate icebreakers and teambuilding to make the group more cohesive. This is important for staff development, but often overlooked. Groups of individuals who may not know each other or have not worked together are thrown into a camp environment within a few weeks of hire. Not only are they expected to work together, but also to make the camp successful.
Because most staff members are relatively young, there may be situations of drama; arguments, individualism, or personality clashes are possible and may result in disaster. Building a cohesive team takes time and effort; putting in the work pre-camp will pay off. Continue smaller teambuilding exercises, which may include reward and recognition programs throughout the summer; keep staff members motivated and working well together. Here are some teambuilding ideas:
Do internal activities similar to what is done with campers
Take an afternoon or evening to provide the camp facility for just staff members
Go on an outing, like bowling, sports game, escape room, arcade, trampoline park, etc.
Take the group to lunch or dinner
Bring in an outside group that specializes in teambuilding, or go to a retreat center.
4. Stay current with industry standards and best practices. This is not only from an operational standpoint, but also from a legal one when new legislation may dictate how a camp is to operate. Contact some of the national camp organizations that provide these resources, visit camp conferences and expos, and do your own research to stay up-to-date on the latest trends.
5. Provide networking opportunities with other camp professionals to connect and share ideas. Seeing and hearing how others are operating is a great way to improve a camp. Ask questions, share ideas, and tell stories with others in the field. Networking is not only for camp directors; bring staff members into the mix, too! Here are a few ways to connect with others in the field:
Join a professional association in the industry
Attend a conference or regional training
Connect online
Team up with others in the area for joint activities or meetings.
6. Include staff members in planning, and empower them to take on responsibilities. Constantly directing, giving orders, or just going through the motions will cause staff members to check out sooner than later. Most will learn more by doing, so give them responsibilities. This will not only help them to develop, but also to keep them motivated.
7. Get feedback. Talk to staff members individually and as a group to obtain feedback on their goals, motivations, thoughts on how the camp is running, ideas on how to improve the camp, etc. These are the people on the front lines every day. Talk to them regularly. Not only will they know they are being heard and have a say in the operation, but you will get more out of them as employees just by listening.
Putting time and effort into properly training and educating staff members will produce a great team. Eventually, members will take the initiative to get the job done at a high level without having to be told. The quality of staff members can make or break a camp, so be sure to provide them the tools they need to succeed.
Jason Schaitz is a Parks and Recreation Director with 15 years’ experience managing camps and recreation programs. He also created and manages www.thesummercampsource.com with the goal of providing free resources for any type of camp, afterschool, or childcare program. Take your camp to the next level by visiting The Summer Camp Source and check out the Camp App, Camp Resources, Camp News, and Camp Administration 101 educational series.
