Basic things. I'm sure you're planning on doing this already, but the first thing that came to mind for me was a basic tutorial on rules, how facilities work, how the camp functions, etcetera. I need to learn all of it.
I think we need training in tactical public relations...
ie. dealing with uncooperative and, heaven forbid, hostile campers (it happens, we can admit it). We really need to all be versed on what things are appropriate to say to campers, when we need to just send them up the command chain to someone higher.
We should even have some talks about how to deal with upset, rowdy, soiled, or even rude and violent youth. This is something I learned a fair bit about last year, unfortunately, all of that learning had to come the hard way, ie. through experience. And sometimes I messed up.
In conclusion, people skills, lets work on it.
Also, bowling lessons, we clearly need those.
(I expect to go bowling again, Thomas, I want it bad)
My big thing is just where all the little things are. I hated bothering Tommy and Lerryn all last summer going "where are batteries? where are light bulbs? where's that one random little thing that's not that important but Miss Disgruntled Camper here Really needs it" Obviously some of these things are kind of hidden for obvious reasons but the director and assistant director have more important things to do than tell me where the sewing kit is.
Oh! I also just wanted to say that last years safety and emergency training was amazing and I hope it goes without saying that we'll have all that again.
If more people's spiels were cute and coordinated like Sonja and I's, I think things would go a lot better. Hey Sonja, I still have the suspenders!!!!!
Training... hmmm,I think its been covered. Most of the concerns I have are with waterfront/boating issues which I am in charge of anyway! We will have a fantastic waterfront training this year!
As Sonja said, last year's emergency training was great, and with solid waterfront training we will all be safe and ready to go. I also agree that we should spend some time on how to talk to more difficult campers so that we can not only be more efficient and helpful but also more unified as a staff in the face of difficult individuals.
I think it would be really helpful if we all took a walk around the island for a day/afternoon. I don't know if our schedules allot for this but I've always been a tad bit embarrassed by how little of Star Island I'm actualy familiar with. Especially if we're all going to be taking turns leading morning hikes!
9 comments:
Basic things. I'm sure you're planning on doing this already, but the first thing that came to mind for me was a basic tutorial on rules, how facilities work, how the camp functions, etcetera. I need to learn all of it.
I think we need training in tactical public relations...
ie. dealing with uncooperative and, heaven forbid, hostile campers (it happens, we can admit it). We really need to all be versed on what things are appropriate to say to campers, when we need to just send them up the command chain to someone higher.
We should even have some talks about how to deal with upset, rowdy, soiled, or even rude and violent youth. This is something I learned a fair bit about last year, unfortunately, all of that learning had to come the hard way, ie. through experience. And sometimes I messed up.
In conclusion, people skills, lets work on it.
Also, bowling lessons, we clearly need those.
(I expect to go bowling again, Thomas, I want it bad)
My big thing is just where all the little things are. I hated bothering Tommy and Lerryn all last summer going "where are batteries? where are light bulbs? where's that one random little thing that's not that important but Miss Disgruntled Camper here Really needs it" Obviously some of these things are kind of hidden for obvious reasons but the director and assistant director have more important things to do than tell me where the sewing kit is.
Oh! I also just wanted to say that last years safety and emergency training was amazing and I hope it goes without saying that we'll have all that again.
My fellow Ben has it pegged. Except for the bowling.
Also, we should receive training on how to make the spiels funnier/more interesting. Nothing depresses like a cold spiel.
If more people's spiels were cute and coordinated like Sonja and I's, I think things would go a lot better. Hey Sonja, I still have the suspenders!!!!!
Training... hmmm,I think its been covered. Most of the concerns I have are with waterfront/boating issues which I am in charge of anyway! We will have a fantastic waterfront training this year!
As Sonja said, last year's emergency training was great, and with solid waterfront training we will all be safe and ready to go. I also agree that we should spend some time on how to talk to more difficult campers so that we can not only be more efficient and helpful but also more unified as a staff in the face of difficult individuals.
I think it would be really helpful if we all took a walk around the island for a day/afternoon. I don't know if our schedules allot for this but I've always been a tad bit embarrassed by how little of Star Island I'm actualy familiar with. Especially if we're all going to be taking turns leading morning hikes!
Post a Comment