May/June 2023

Written By Danielle Beattie

VOLUME 23 | ISSUE 5

Staff Training

It’s fair to say staff training has evolved and changed through the years as much as campers and some programs. But what never changes, what never wavers, is the desire for staff members to act as leaders, role models, and teachers for campers. We put our best foot forward in helping to navigate this challenging time of year. And we hope you find some good examples of best practices in training some of the most important assets of your camp—the people who pour their heart and souls into your programs. Good luck and feel free to share your best tips and tricks, too!

 
 
 
 
 
 

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Camp Business is written by residential and day camp directors, staff members, and counselors. If that is you, then Camp Business is an important resource full of real-world experience you can use to solve problems, create new opportunities, and keep your community healthy and happy.

 
 
 
 
 

This Month’s Articles

Featured
Camp Administration 101: The Art Of Station Rotation
Jason Schaitz
Camp Administration 101: The Art Of Station Rotation
Jason Schaitz

Coordinating different activities and rotating groups from one station to the next is a common practice at camp and a great way to organize a lot of activities in a small amount of time.

Jason Schaitz
ADDIE To The Rescue
Dan Shortridge
ADDIE To The Rescue
Dan Shortridge

Camp directors who feel overwhelmed by the challenge of staff training are far from alone.

Dan Shortridge
Role Play With A Twist
Jessica Lippe
Role Play With A Twist
Jessica Lippe

As most trainers in any industry know, role playing is a great way for new staff members to obtain hands-on experience before actually getting their hands on anything. Role plays are typically conducted in a controlled environment with other staff members, and each scenario usually ends with a positive conclusion.

Jessica Lippe
Putting The Puzzle Together
Kim Aycock
Putting The Puzzle Together
Kim Aycock

Imagine a 500- or 1000-piece puzzle dumped on a table; some pieces are right-side up, while others are upside down. Each cardboard cutout represents one of the bits and pieces of staff training.

Kim Aycock
Begin With The Right Tools
Jonathan Caflun
Begin With The Right Tools
Jonathan Caflun

Working as a camp counselor is one of the most challenging and rigorous jobs a young person can have. At first glance, it may be viewed as a fun job to run around, teach activities, and make friends, but employees very quickly understand the immense responsibility of caring for other people’s children.

Jonathan Caflun
Taking Stock
Jamie Sirkin
Taking Stock
Jamie Sirkin

On Jan. 2, 2023, Monday Night Football was anything but ordinary. Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered a medical emergency on live television.

Jamie Sirkin
Camp Administration 101: Bridge The Gap
Jason Schaitz
Camp Administration 101: Bridge The Gap
Jason Schaitz

A Counselor in Training (CIT) program typically allows high-school students to volunteer within a camp program. Set up properly, it provides on-the-job training with the hope that participants become counselors down the road.

Jason Schaitz
The Second Scourge Of Electronic Technology
Dr. Chris Thurber
The Second Scourge Of Electronic Technology
Dr. Chris Thurber

Most day and overnight camps forbid campers from using their phones. Most camps also forbid staff members from the same—at least in front of campers.

Dr. Chris Thurber
Staff Up
Rodney Auth
Staff Up
Rodney Auth

Last month, my wife and I convinced our teenage daughters to give up TikTok for a week. They agreed and the change we saw in their behavior was almost immediate.

Rodney Auth
This-N-That
Guest User
This-N-That
Guest User

A collection of news items, product announcements and event notices designed to keep you on the cutting edge.

Guest User
Calendar
Guest User
Calendar
Guest User

Industry news you won’t want to miss. Check out what’s coming up!

Guest User
 
 
 
 

Product Review

Product Reviews
Toro Groundsmaster e3200
Toro Groundsmaster e3200

Toro’s out-front rotary mower, the Groundsmaster 3200 two-wheel drive unit, is available as a battery-powered option. It comes standard with 11 HyperCell batteries, but can be configured with up to 17 HyperCell batteries. It comes with Toro’s InfoCenter display with battery charge status, hours, alerts, customizable settings and more. It features the same 60-inch side or rear discharge mowing deck options built with steel for ultimate durability, and impact bumpers. 

www.toro.com

PRO SERIES Boric Acid
PRO SERIES Boric Acid

This water enhancer buffers and helps keep pool water balanced, providing crystal clear, soft feeling swimming pool water. Helps brominating, chlorinating or biguanide programs to work more efficiently. Designed for once-a-year use and topping off as needed, simply add 15 pounds of ProSeries Boric Acid into 10,000 gallons of water. Test borate levels twice a year (or more often if water is lost) and maintain a borate residual between 30 and 35 ppm to see amazing benefits all season. Available in 40-pound buckets.  

(800) 753-1233

www.proseriespool.com

Renolit ALKORPLAN RELIEF
Renolit ALKORPLAN RELIEF

This multi-purpose, slip-resistant membrane has a category C slip resistance rating with a transformative texture that gives pools the look and feel of gunite yet is soft on toes and eliminates the maintenance headaches of gunite.  Available in six different colors—from white and sand to blue and grey—to match any architectural design. 70-mil thick reinforced membrane for new pools or renovation.

www.renolit.com/pool

Stain Drop Stain Removal Verification Test Kit
Stain Drop Stain Removal Verification Test Kit

Allows pool professionals and pool owners to verify the correct treatment needed for a particular pool stain without the guesswork. Each kit contains three packets of three powerful stain removers plus six dosing pouches (for wall or deep-water stains). Complete with detailed instructional booklet.

www.poolstaindrop.com

W-Fan Bladeless Neck Fan
W-Fan Bladeless Neck Fan

Ergo-designed to wear anytime and anywhere to cool you down. Lightweight and quiet the fan will keep you cool while doing any outdoor or indoor activity. Features include lightweight, USB Port w/cable for charging, blade-less, quiet, and sleek looking.

https://spiceoflifeusa.com/collections/w-fan-blade-free-2-1

 
 
 
 

Buyer’s Guide

 
 
 
 

Marketspace Spotlight

 

Coming Up

July/August 2023

Adventure Programming

  • Food Service

  • Conference & Retreat Centers

  • Outdoor & Adventure Recreation

  • Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

 
 

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Danielle Beattie
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