Creating An A-Team
The top eight reasons staff training can make or break a summer
By Lauren Voss
Photos: Cherokee Recreation and Parks And Adventures Express Camp
Some of a camper’s fondest memories might be at the art shack with friends, playing a game of Four Square with pals, or being immersed in nature while looking for salamanders in the creek. Another memory may be of a favorite summer staffer. Whether doing something silly, being a good friend, or leading a cabin or team to victory in a game of dodgeball, a staff member is the magic behind the mysterious “curtain.”
Some might say a relationship was formed due to the personality of a particular staffer. Though that is partially true, one of the biggest reasons for the success of a staff member is due to the training.
Some supervisors may place only a small amount of importance on training, but I feel it is vital to the success of the summer. From someone who has dabbled in a camp setting all of her life, here are the top eight reasons why staff training can make or break a summer season:
1. Safety is paramount.
Though safety isn’t a “fun” topic to cover, making sure that staff members can handle the overarching safety categories—first aid, physical hazards, mental/psychological threats from other campers, an active-shooter situation, and even environmental factors like storms, tornados, and fires—is a necessary aspect of training to ensure a team is minimizing risk.
For the camper, every day is about having fun, making friendships, and creating memories. A facility can’t provide that if all aspects of safety aren’t met.
As Maslow’s hierarchy of needs explains, an individual’s basic needs—including safety—must be met, or it is more difficult for that person to grow, feel loved, and have a sense of belonging.
Safety can be covered in a variety of ways; it doesn’t have to be taught just by a lecture-style. You and your team can have walk-through scenarios, reenactments, or even discussions on how to handle certain situations.
Accidents do happen, and no matter how much fun a child has, if he or she goes home injured due to the negligence of a staff member—especially due to being unaware of what to do in a situation—it is not only unfair to that child and the family, but also to an employee and an organization. It is all an easy fix with adequate training.
2. Setting expectations makes for a smoother ride.
Some team members may have come from another camp location, while others may not have attended a day of camp before. Training gives a team the basic guidelines of how a specific camp will run day to day. Also, it provides expectations. Though it sounds simple, many employers miss this mark, especially in assuming staff members are just seasonal. Though they may only be employed for a short period of time, they aren’t any less important than another part-time staff member.
Setting an expectation is simple: “When you come to work, you are expected to do X.” Whether sitting at the check-in table, monitoring campers in the gym, or cleaning up after an art activity, they should be aware of what is expected of them each day.
Once the team is aware of the fundamentals, it makes for a smoother experience for staff members and campers, and should make for a smoother day for you, too!
3. Knowledge is power.
The more information you can provide to staff members upfront, the better off they will be in tackling most challenges. Provide camp policies and manuals, camper rules, future goals, tips and tricks, first aid/CPR trainings, and anything else you can think of to help them be successful.
As with the safety scenarios, use walk-through situations to teach classroom management, conflict-management skills, or even de-escalation of highly emotional situations between campers. Though you are in a camp setting and the kids are there to have fun, there should still be some type of order to ensure they understand the rules and that staff members can control the campers—especially in case of an emergency.
4. Training builds morale.
While it’s important to cover the basics in safety and knowledge, there should also be time for ice breakers and moments for staff members to get to know one another.
One of the core aspects of being a team and ensuring high morale is trust. Staff training is that first step that can make or break those relationships, so it is always good to start on a positive note.
Also, untrained employees tend to be unhappy employees. If they are unsatisfied in their work due to a lack of proper training, they will probably underperform and underachieve. When working with kids, there are times when one must “go with the flow.” Those who are comfortable and trust their team will find it easier to navigate these situations. Those who haven’t built relationships with other staffers may not ask for help in a time of need, which could be detrimental. Creating that happy, safe environment for campers really radiates from staff members and sets the tone each week.
5. Assessing strengths and weaknesses makes for a darn good summer.
Someone from your staff might be the most creative person you have ever met or one might be the most analytical wizard you have ever seen! Some individuals are extroverts, while others are extreme introverts, and that is OK. All types of personalities make a successful team.
During staff training, assess the team’s strengths and weaknesses. See who feels the most comfortable speaking in front of the entire camp, and find those who are the most artsy and want to lead the craft projects. Discover those who love nature and can have a naturalist point of view when heading outdoors, and then find the staffer who loves sports and will get the whole camp and team riled up!
From there, the team will thrive and make each day of camp more specialized by utilizing everyone’s strengths. This might not have been realized if you hadn’t placed an importance on it during training.
6. Employee retention and growth make an organization shine.
As a leader, not only do you want the team to help complete the mission and goals of running a successful camp program, but you also want to help them grow individually! That goes back to relationship-building. If the team gets to know each other, they can build a network of individuals for future references or contacts.
You also want to keep employees for as long as you can. Longevity and experience within a company can be huge assets for you as a manager and the company as a whole.
7. Consistency breeds success.
You and the staff are working towards a purpose, a goal. That purpose should be outlined in the camp’s mission. The team should be striving to reach those goals and objectives every day. If you don’t, then you are off the mark.
Training the team with the same manual and the same guidelines also ensures that all individuals receive the same information. This should decrease confusion and increase productivity.
Having a successful program with consistent staff members also can enhance the company’s reputation within the community and the overall profile. Making sure the team is not only talking the talk but also walking the walk is vital to the success of the program.
8. The mission has been accomplished if campers are happy.
Obviously, one of the most important aspects of camp is making sure campers go home happy. At the end of the day, the way staff members interact with campers can really make or break their experience.
To ensure camp sessions are full and parents will bring kids back year after year, make sure they are happy with the service that you are providing. After all, the financial support parents provide will surely help grow your customer base, which will positively impact the organization and the program in numerous ways.
Days leading up to training can give you the butterflies, and at times it can be stressful. Training is what sets the stage and tone for the summer. Growing a future team and work family—whether at a day, specialty, or residential camp—is a pivotal and special moment in the summer-camp timeline. It is a time when you can provide a magical, life-changing experience for each camper that comes through the door. Training staff correctly allows the members to be that positive role model for each camper. One day, that camper might want to follow in a team member’s footsteps to become the next generation’s A-team, and even a future you!
Lauren Voss works at Cherokee County Recreation and Parks as a Recreation Coordinator. Previously, Lauren worked for Zoo Atlanta’s Education Department, The Girl Scouts, and Camp Mikell. Feel free to reach her at latvoss@cherokeega.com.