Investing In Employees
Provide a comfortable place where time is held, and space is saved
By Katelynn Bufford
As each camper scaled his or her way to the top of the high ropes course, the instructor yelled “ZIP,” the command to exit the course via the zipline. The shutter of my camera snapped as each participant tether whizzed past me, propelled by the gravity of their weight pulling the cable. The excitement of each participant echoed in the otherwise quiet afternoon. Back on the ground, as each one passed to return equipment and join friends, I saw only joyful smiles after the daring descent. Just as the fun arrived, it ended. It was adventurous, daring, memorable, and temporary; it was camp. It reminded me that every good thing must come to an end.
© Can Stock Photo / 4774344sean
Camp is a sacred place where time is held and space is saved for only a brief moment in a camper's life. It’s the responsibility of staff members to protect and capture this sacred space. At camp, all are invited, and all are welcome. The outdoors is for everyone.
Think about the campers who come onto the grounds. Who are they? Where did they come from? Why are they here? How long are they here? Why did they come to this sacred place?
Some campers might not have experienced a sense of belonging if you hadn’t provided, facilitated, and cultivated a space and time for him or her. These kinds of experiences make camp unforgettable. They make the job unforgettable for staff members as well.
Where is this sacred space held? It’s in late-night cabin talks, around campfire rings, above the ground on the ropes course, on the recreation field, and during mealtimes with cabin mates. It’s in the organization of people in outdoor spaces and culminating in the organized activities we call camp.
Ditto For Staff Members
For those who are reading this article looking for the answer to staff-turnover concerns, here’s the antidote. Invest deeply in staff members who hold this sacred space you’ve learned to love and hold it loosely, knowing there is an end to this sacred time, not just for campers but for staff members as well. Some staff might be around for two summers, while others will linger for 20 years. Trust you have equipped them to do the job you hired them for, and allow them to carry out those values.
Camps are in the business of creating impactful moments through temporary experiences that staff members have an opportunity to facilitate. Some staff may be looking to use camp as a resume builder. Use this knowledge to advantage, allowing them to soak in as much of this “mountaintop” experience as possible.
Most staff do not get into professional camping for the pay. Consider the values you want to teach while training staff members because they are listening and want to learn. So how deeply do you want to invest in staff? Are you willing to invest in them with a risk of no return? Invest deeply in all of the people who make up this sacred space but remember all good things do eventually come to an end.
Katelynn Bufford is a Program Manager at Pine Valley Bible Conference Center. She holds a M.A. in Organizational Leadership from Clarks Summit University. Reach her at Katelynn@pvbc.net.