big deal or no big deal: a framework for...

Big Deal or No Big Deal: A Framework for Co-Counselors Kim Aycock * Camp 2 Campus Learning Solutions * 601-832-6223 * [email protected] Objective: session will include activities designed to give co-counselors an opportunity to establish and grow their working relationship for the summer. 1) “Twin/Triplet Day” Costume Contest: co-counselors will come to session dressed as much alike as possible to show how important it is for staff to appear to be on the same page on the outside, even if there are differences in individual opinion on the “inside”. Prizes for best dressed! 2) Ice Breakers:

• Hog Call: Co-counselors are given words that go together in “2’s or 3’s” and are to find each other after the entire group is mixed up; eyes are closed or use blindfolds and “bumpers up” (red-white-blue, planes-trains-automobiles, lions-tigers-bears, A-B-C, 1-2-3, New York City, etc.) *Variation: use animal sounds (laminated hog call cards can be ordered from www.training-wheels.com)

• Songs by Syllables: Pick a song everyone in the group knows (Row, Row, Row Your Boat) and

alternate back and forth singing one syllable at a time so that it sounds like one voice singing. Sing through a couple of times and then choose a new song. (Playfair, p. 94)

• Pairs Tag: 1 person is “it”, try to “tag” co-counselor(s) by staying in a contained area and moving at a fast walk. (see Quicksilver, p. 90 or Playing with a Full Deck, p. 31)

• 1-2-3-4: group of three counts together and on “4” holds out 1-5 fingers on one hand; goal is to get a sum of “11”. Once successful, group tries to get a sum of “23” by holding out 1-10 fingers using 2 hands. (Playfair, p. 128)

• 1-1 Interviews: Each person gets a minute to tell his/her life story to a partner. Afterward, partners take turns introducing each other to the group and telling as much as they can remember about the partner’s “autobiography.” (The Caring Classroom, p. 38) Four of a Kind: an exercise to discover as many similarities (can’t be physical traits or stating the obvious) in co-counselor groupings as possible (Playing With a Full Deck, p. 12)

• Story of Your Name: Tell your partner the meaning behind your name (who/what you were named after, origin, name you would been given if born opposite gender, middle name, nicknames, etc.) What do you like to be called? (Essential Staff Training Activities, p. 23)

• “Newlywed Game”: co-counselors spend 7-10 minutes getting to know as much about each

other as possible using list of questions (handout). Have trio sit facing away from each other and give 5 questions to answer based on what they know of this person (see below); award points for each correct answer. Repeat 5 new questions for each co-counselor.

CO-COUNSELOR QUIZ GAME Does your co-counselor like:

Floss regularly? (yes or no) Solids or stripes (or other pattern)? Mountains or the beach? Glass or plastic? Aisle, window, or middle seat? Shade or sun? Pulp or no pulp? Math or art? Baked or fried? Country or rock music?

Panic or relaxed? Leader or follower? Gel or paste? Interstate or scenic route? Fact or fiction? Cup or cone? Peanut or plain? Silver or gold? Likeliness to take a risk on a scale of 1-5? Pick up a penny found on the ground

(even if heads is not facing up – yes or no)?

3) Problem Solving Activity: co-counselors will work through a challenge together • Number Game/Group Number Game: try for world record time on touching numbers in

sequence first individually and then with co-counselor(s). What strategies evolved when working together? (Games and Other Stuff for Teachers, pp. 29-36)

• Don’t Spill the Beans: counselor pairs carry a “camper” through obstacle course - use taut bandana or piece of paper and cup of water or dry beans balanced on top. (Games and Other Stuff for Teachers, p. 125)

• Shoelace Tie: try to tie the shoelace of one person’s shoe using only the right hand of each counselor. Repeat using only the left hand of each counselor. Try tying shoelace blindfolded for the third attempt! (Laurie Frank)

• Campers and Martians or other logic puzzles (http://www.jimloy.com/puzz/cannibal.htm) • Putting Body Through Index Card: try to make a hole in an index card so that it forms an

opening you can put your entire body through without tearing the card. (201 Amazing Mind Bogglers, p. 56)

• Magic Bracelets: Partners are "tied up" with two ropes and must figure out how to separate the ropes without taking them off their hands. (see “human handcuffs” activity for description and solution on Training Wheels website: www.training-wheels.com)

4) Communication Activity: Need index cards with different designs to draw. One person is observer (only person allowed to see design on index card), another is translator (takes directions from observer and translates them to drawer), third person draws design. Repeat with each person playing a different role. Can do similar exercise with just two people. (Quicksilver, p. 174) 5) Trust Activity:

• Mousetrap Sequence: practice setting and unsetting a mousetrap with a partner (eyes open first then try eyes closed). Work up to having one person verbally guide hand of blind-folded partner to hover just above loaded mousetrap. (Bullying Prevention Field Guide, p. 61)

• Trust Walk: one person is blindfolded, other two people assist and can speak but not touch or can touch but not speak (Jeff Leiken, Center for Confidence and Success)

• Come To Me: partners stand about 10-15 feet apart (one has eyes closed) and the sighted person moves towards partner until told to stop. (Quicksilver, p. 222)

• Backseat Driver: partner who is “driving” has control of speed, but eyes are closed; partner who is in the “backseat” (hands on shoulders of driver) has GPS navigational capabilities and can see to guide driver through “traffic”. Switch positions at some point to give each partner a chance to drive. Goal is to get to “destination” safely (without having an accident). (Essential Staff Training Activities, p. 31)

• Obstacle Course: have head counselors set up an obstacle course using available resources that co-counselor pairs will guide each other through while one partner is blindfolded. Switch partners midway through the course or if short enough, have each partner go through it once.

6) “Big Deal” or “No Big Deal”: staff will find out where their co-counselor(s) stand on various camp issues (continuum scale or hold up objects to cast “vote”, etc.). See handout. 7) Quest for Best Practices: exercise (see handout) for co-counselors to get started thinking through group expectations and routines for start of day, activities, lunch, end of day, etc. References: Bowman, R. (2003) 201 Amazing Mind Bogglers That Can Be Used to Teach Kids Critical Lessons About Learning and Life. YouthLight, Inc. Cain, J., C.M. Hannon, and D. Knobbe (2009) Essential Staff Training Activities. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company. Cavert, C. and L. Frank (1999) Games and Other Stuff for Teachers. Wood ‘N’ Barnes Publishing and Distribution. Cummings, M. (2005) Bullying Prevention Guide: Experiential Activities specializing in Anti-Bullying. Training Wheels Inc. Cummings, M. (2007) Playing With a Full Deck: 52 Team Activities Using a Deck of Cards! Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company. Frank, L. (2001) The Caring Classroom: Using Adventure to Create Community in the Classroom and Beyond. GOAL Consulting. Rohnke, K. and S. Butler. (1995) Quicksilver: Adventure Games, Initiative Problems, Trust Activities and a Guide to Effective Leadership.

Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company. Weinstein, M. and J. Goodman (1980) Everybody’s Guide to Non-Competitive Play: Playfair. Impact Publishers.

Kim Aycock * Camp 2 Campus Learning Solutions 601-832-6223 * [email protected] * www.kimaycock.com

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CO-COUNSELOR(S): Hometown?

Favorite childhood toy?

Number of siblings?

Favorite childhood pet? Name of pet?

Number of broken bones during lifetime?

“Celebrity” status? (been on TV/radio, in newspaper/magazine, etc.)

Met a celebrity? Who?

2nd language spoken?

Last school attended?

Academic focus?

Favorite ice cream flavor?

Favorite travel destination?

Foreign countries visited?

Favorite sport to participate in or watch?

Musical/theatrical talents?

Middle name?

Make/model of first car?

Favorite website?

Favorite season? Childhood “hero”?

Three things that you have in common with co-counselor(s) - other than physical traits (brown eyes) or stating the obvious (breathe oxygen)? 1) 2) 3)


CAMPERS and MARTIANS

Adapted from: Problem of the Week (www.glencoe.com) Similar problem: “Cannibals and Missionaries” (http://www.jimloy.com/puzz/cannibal.htm)

Here’s the Story: Three friendly Martians land in a vast open area, near a river. Three campers find the Martians and want to take them to a nearby city. However, before they can get to the campers’ trucks, they must cross a river in a small fishing boat. Restrictions: There is only one boat and the boat holds only two “beings”. Of course, each time the boat makes a trip across the river towards the city, one “being” must bring it back to the other side until everyone has been transported. Complicating the rescue is the fact that the Martians can never exceed the number of Campers (for obvious reasons!). It is not safe to leave the Campers in any position where outnumbered by Martians (being in the boat does not keep a Camper safe if two Martians are waiting on shore!!). p.s. Swimming is not allowed! Challenge: How will you get everyone safely across the river to the city?! Try to make the total crossing in the least number of trips. It can be done in less than 12 trips. Show your plan here (step by step):


COMMUNICATION ACTIVITY


BIG DEAL or NO BIG DEAL if your co-counselor(s):

LEADERSHIP/COUNSELING STYLE: BD NBD • Lets you lead most of the time? ❑ ❑ • Is the leader most of the time? ❑ ❑ • Is very competitive and has to “win” at everything? ❑ ❑

• Is complacent and doesn’t really care about the outcome ❑ ❑ most of the time? • Lets campers “bend the rules”? ❑ ❑

• Reverses a decision you made to be “popular” with campers? ❑ ❑ • Does not consult you in a “BIG” camper situation? ❑ ❑

• Continually complains to you about camp policies or other staff? ❑ ❑

• Consistently talks to other staff or camp leaders/directors before ❑ ❑ talking with you first about an issue? • Other: ❑ ❑ CAMP POLICIES: BD NBD • Makes fun of campers behind their back? ❑ ❑ • Thinks that being a camp counselor is a spectator sport? ❑ ❑ • Uses questionable language around campers when leadership staff ❑ ❑ is not present? • Talks about time off/personal life in front of campers? ❑ ❑

• Uses sarcasm in conversations with campers? ❑ ❑

• Likes to make jokes at your expense? ❑ ❑ • Other: ❑ ❑

WORK ETHIC: BD NBD • Is consistently late? ❑ ❑ • Is unorganized and unprepared? ❑ ❑ • Is conveniently missing when there is “work” to be done? ❑ ❑ • Takes short cuts that affect quality of job to get finished quickly? ❑ ❑ • Consistently takes care of personal business during “camp” time? ❑ ❑

• Always asks you to “cover”? ❑ ❑

• Other: ❑ ❑

1. Why did you choose to spend your summer at camp? Be specific! 2. When/how do you want to be approached by your co-counselor(s) in the event there is a

difference in personal preferences, leadership/counseling styles, or camp policies that need to be discussed during the course of the summer?

Kim Aycock * Camp 2 Campus Learning Solutions

601-832-6223 * [email protected] * www.kimaycock.com

SETTING EXPECTATIONS: QUEST FOR BEST PRACTICES Getting Down to the “Nitty-Gritty”

ROAD RULES • Where/how will I greet my campers? • What guidelines should be enforced for safely loading and unloading a vehicle? • What procedures should be followed if a camper does not report to the pick-up area? • What quiet activities can I do with campers if a delay is experienced? • What are proper procedures to follow in the event there is an emergency while on a trip? •

GETTING STARTED • How will I start my day in a positive tone? • When/how will I greet my campers each morning? • LUNCH • What manners will I enforce? • What “games” are allowed during mealtimes? • What if a camper needs to get up from the table during a meal? • ACTIVITY INSTRUCTION • What will I do if a camper is missing from one of my activities? • What will campers do if we finish our activity before the period ends? • How will I deal with a camper who is reluctant to do an activity? • What if severe weather threatens during an activity period? • END OF THE DAY • What is the routine for putting things away/cleaning up at the end of the day? • What are some good ideas for giving closure at the end of the day? • What is the check-out procedure? • Where should I be/what am I doing during this time? • What should I do if someone does not get picked up on time? • MISCELLANEOUS • What are consequences I can use should campers not follow the “rules”? • How will I get my campers’ attention without raising my voice? • How will I deal with a camper who doesn’t want to be at camp? • What are fun things I can do during transition times? • How will I keep my campers needs as the top priority? •


NOTES FOR A GREAT GROUP MEETING ON OPENING DAY

INTRODUCTION What to say: NAME GAMES/ICEBREAKERS

• • •

What to say: GENERAL GUIDELINES

• • • • •

Name and post it!

What to say: GIVE SPECIFIC EXPECTATIONS FOR:

• Start of Day • Activities • Lunch

• End of Day

•

What if somebody forgets?

GO OVER SCHEDULE/ANSWER QUESTIONS FUN GAME/ACTIVITY: END WITH A BANG!!


Co-Counselor Quiz

(adapted from “Millennial Staff” Handout by Bob Ditter)

1. Which one of you is the most active with the campers?

2. Which one of you is the first to step in when things begin to get chaotic or when a conflict arises between campers?

3. Which one of you is toughest about enforcing the rules?

4. Which one of you is the first to notice when a camper Is feeling sad, left out, or is separated from the group?

5. Which one of you do the campers come to first if they are having a problem with others in the group?

6. Which one of you is the one who tends to get the campers started or get an activity started?

7. Which one of you is the best at making a transition with the campers from a quiet activity to something more active?

8. Which one of you is the best at making a transition with the campers from being active and loud to a quiet activity?

9. Which one of you takes the lead on…?

10. Which one of you is more likely to get the campers organized for planning an all camp activity such as…?

11. What is something that you appreciate your co-counselor(s ) for?

12. What is something that you would like to see more of from your co-counselor(s)?


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