Ohio State University Extension

Brown County

325 W. State Street Bldg. B

Georgetown, OH 45121

937-378-6716 Phone 937-378-6646 Fax

brown.osu.edu

November 20, 2017

To: Prospective 4-H Camp Counselors

From: Christy D. Clary, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development

Re: Counselor Application and Requirements

Thank you for your interest in serving as a camp counselor for the 2018 4-H Camps at

Canter’s Cave. Counseling can be a very rewarding experience. As a camp counselor you

will work as a member of a team to plan and conduct a high-quality, safe and fun

overnight program for young people. At the same time, you will be developing your own

skills, forming lifelong friendships, and having the time of your life.

We will be camping in a multi-county camp setting at Canter’s Cave. This means there

are a variety of camps you could be selected to counsel for and asked to rank your

preferences on your application. These include a camp for youth in 3rd, 4th and 5th

graders, a camp for youth in 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, a teen camp for older youth, a

STEM focused camp for youth in 5th-7th grades, and several statewide special interest

camps. Dates and counselor requirements follow for each. Some camps may require an

additional application; I will notify you if that is the case.

STEM Camp – Grades 5-7: June 4-6 Teens must be 15 or older to counsel; experience is preferred.

Beginner Camp – Grades 3-5: June 7-10 (Brown, Highland, Adams, Lawrence, Meigs)

Teens must be 14 or older to counsel.

Junior High Camp – Grades 6-8th: June 11-14 Teens must be 16 or older to counsel; one year prior experience as a counselor is preferred.

Teen Camp – Grades 9-12: June 22-25 (All counties)

Teens must be 18 or older or at least a High School senior to counsel.

Steps to becoming a counselor include completing and returning the counselor application to the

OSU Extension Office on or before January 16th AND participating in an interview date on January

29th. Specific times on the 29th will be finalized after applications are due.

Additionally, teens must participate in a minimum of 24 hours of training in order to be eligible to

serve as a camp counselor. All counselors must attend Counselor College at Canter’s Cave,

March 24th and 25th. You will be expected to pay your own registration fee of $55. Provided you

attend and satisfactorily complete the event, and successfully counsel at one of this summer’s

camps, this fee will be reimbursed by the 4-H Advisory Committee. You may attend additional

opportunities such as MXC or BLW, but it is at your own expense.

Experienced counselors (2nd year and beyond) who are unable to attend Canter’s Cave Counselor

College must attend either MXC or BLW. Plan ahead, registration is early for these alternatives.

Attending some of the other statewide teen events can provide you with great training

opportunities. These include the Teen Winter Retreat at Canter’s Cave February 3-4th (cost TBD),

Making Extreme Counselors (MXC) February 17-18 at the Ohio 4-H Center (cost $50, deadline

January 30th), or the Ohio 4-H Conference March 10 (cost $35, deadline February 1st), Buckeye

Leadership Workshop (BLW) April 4-8th (cost $350, Due Feb. 28). There may be support for

attending these events from the 4-H Advisory Committee, but that will not be determined until after

their January budget meeting.

Additional training dates within Brown County are listed below. It is the applicant’s responsibility

to complete all trainings and communicate with me regarding all meetings and requirements. BE

RESPONSIBLE! It is expected that camp counselor obligations are at the top of your priority list.

Consistent failure to attend training or counselor camp will prohibit you from counseling. Absences

must be pre-approved. Notify me at least 48 hours in advance so we can discuss your options for

continuing on in the counselor selection process. Questions? Please do not hesitate to contact me at

clary.42@osu.edu or by phone at 937-378-6716.

Counselor Checklist

Complete, sign and return these 3 forms by January 16, 2018

_____ Camp Counselor Application

_____ Counselor Standards of Behavior

____ 4-H Camp Counselor Code of Conduct

Have TWO adults complete, sign and return reference forms by January 16, 2018

Note: This person cannot be your relative! It can be your club adviser, teacher, pastor, etc.

____ Camp Counselor Reference

____ Camp Counselor Reference

Attend Interviews and Training

_____ Counselor Interviews tentatively scheduled for Monday January 29th (REQUIRED) 3-6pm

_____ Counselor College, Canter’s Cave in Jackson March 24-25 (REQUIRED); Registration due Mar. 1

_____ County Training (REQUIRED)*-each will be at the Extension Office from 5-7pm

Dates and Times will be announced in early January 2018. *Dates and times are subject to change with advanced notice.

Other Optional Trainings (other opportunities may be made available throughout the spring)

____ Teen Winter Retreat at Canter’s Cave, Feb. 3-4

____ MXC at the Ohio 4-H Center; Feb. 17-18; Registration due Jan. 30

____ Ohio 4-H Conference in Columbus March 10; Registration due Feb. 1

____ Buckeye Leadership Workshop April 4-8th, (see www.buckeyeleadership.org for more

information including scholarship info and registration).

____ Camp Open House; May 6th

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION

CFAES provides research and related educational programs to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis. For

more information: go.osu.edu/cfaesdiversity.

brown.osu.edu

Brown County 4-H Camp Counselor Application

DUE: January 16, 2018 RETURN TO: OSU Ext., Brown Co. 325 W. State Street, Bldg. B, Georgetown, OH 45121

TO APPLY: Must be at least 14 years old as of January 1, 2018. Please see position description

for full expectations and requirements.

First Name: ________________________ Last Name: ______________________ MI: _____

Street Address: _______________________________________________________________

City: _____________________________________ State: _____ Zip: ___________________

Home Phone: _________________________ Email Address:__________________________

Cell Phone: ______________________________ Is texting an option? (circle) Yes No

Age as of 1/1/18: ______________ Date of Birth: _____/______/______

4-H Club: _______________________ School: ____________________ Grade: ______

In case of emergency, notify:

Name: _______________________ Relationship: _______________ Phone: ______________

Years as a camper: ____ Years as a residential counselor: ____ Years as a Cloverbud Counselor: ____

Other (non-4-H) camp experience, include type of camp (scouts, shooting sports, church), number of

years, location/name of camp, etc.

Why do you want to be a camp counselor?

What traits, skills, or special experiences do you have that would benefit you in this position?

(Please include experiences working with children and youth.)

-Continued on Back-

Brown County 4-H Counselor Application

What skills or contributions will you add to the counselor team in making sure camp is

successful? (such as First Aid, Babysitter’s Course, Recreation, etc.)

What hobbies and/or special interests do you have that you would like to share?

Please list 2 of your strengths:

Please list 2 of your weaknesses:

At which camp or camps would you want to be a camp counselor? Please rank your preferences

(1st, 2nd etc.) if you’re interested in being a camp counselor at more than one of the camps.

______ STEM Camp – Grades 5-7, June 4-6 (Teens must be 15 or older to counsel; additional

application will be required at a later date)

______ Beginner Camp – Grades 3-5: June 7-10 (Teens must be 14 or older to counsel)

______ Junior High Camp – Grades 6-8, June 11-14 (Teens must be 16 or older, experience

preferred.)

______ Teen Camp – Grades 9-12; June 22-25 (Teens must be 18 or at least a HS senior)

Please review the counselor letter/check list and position description for training requirements

and dates.

*NOTE: Counselor College is mandatory for all counselors!

Experienced counselors who are unable to attend Canters Cave Counselor College must

attend either MXC or BLW. Plan ahead, registration is early for these alternatives.

First-year counselors must attend Counselor College.

You may attend more than one of these opportunities, but it is at your own expense.

I will be attending (check all you will be attending): Counselor College MXC BLW

COMPLETED APPLICATION, REFERENCES, SIGNED STANDARDS OF

BEHAVIOR, AND SIGNED 4-H CAMP COUNSELOR CODE OF CONDUCT DUE TO

THE EXTENSION OFFICE ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 16TH.

INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONDUCTED ON JANUARY 29TH FROM 3:00-6:00PM.

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION

CFAES provides research and related educational programs to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis. For

more information: go.osu.edu/cfaesdiversity. Last Updated by H.K. Epley, 10/2015

Ohio4h.org

Ohio 4-H

4-H CAMP COUNSELOR CODE OF CONDUCT

I, ______________________ agree that if selected, I will participate in the 4-H Camp Counselor Training Program. I understand that this is a training period and only once I complete my certification am I permitted to be a counselor at 4-H Camp.

I understand that I am taking on a different role at camp. I am applying to serve other, not to go purely for my own enjoyment. By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to abide by the above responsibilities if selected as a camp counselor. I understand and agree that I will be asked to call my parents/guardian immediately to pick me up if I conduct myself in an irresponsible manner, which includes being out of my cabin after hours and/or the possession or use of tobacco, alcohol, illegal drugs or fireworks.

I will be expected to: Attend the required number of counselor training sessions. I understand I will be dismissed if I am

not able to complete the required training. Abide by the No Cell Phones at Camp Policy (note: unless otherwise authorized by Extension staff) Treat other peers with respect. Not bully fellow counselors or participate in goat-play or hazing. Conduct myself as a positive role model and be responsible. Set a good example by not using profanity or telling off-color jokes, and stories. As a 4-H member, not have in my possession tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs. Not have possession of harmful objects without specific authorization from the camp director,

including but not limited to: knives of any kind (pocket, utility, etc.), lighters, matches, fireworks, explosives, firearms, weapons, etc.

No pornography or other sexually oriented materials including nudity in visual or written materials including similar content.

Be a responsible cabin counselor and ensure campers are provided guidance towards a safe and fun week.

Ensure that all campers are supervised by counselor staff at all times. Be sure that all campers know that they must remain on the camp grounds at all times and are responsible for their behavior at all times.

o Get to know each of the campers personally and by name. o Have all campers, including myself check in any of their medications with the nurse. o Make sure each camper uses personal hygiene. o Make sure that all of my campers are familiar with camp facilities and camp rules o See that all campers are involved in all activities. Make sure no one is excluded.

Check for illness or injury, but don't make much of a "fuss" about +++8minor things. Go with hurt or sick campers to the nurse no matter how minor the ailment.

Follow guidelines for lights out, and cabin supervision. Be in my cabin with my campers at all times between the hours of "Lights Out" and "Rise and Shine.”

Never discipline a camper by ridicule or physical punishment; patience and understanding works best. Urge safety at all time. Take time to explain how and why to do something safely. Work as a team to plan, organize and conduct all camp activities. Be flexible with counseling and adult staff. Participate in camp promotion. Follow leadership of camping program through adult advisors/volunteers/staff.

I certify that the all the information being submitted is correct, and understand that failure to comply with these rules could result in probation, or loss of counseling position for the year.

Applicant’s Signature _________________________________ Date ____/_____/_____ Parent/ Guardian Signature ______________________________ Date ____/_____/_____

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION

CFAES provides research and related educational programs to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis. For

more information: go.osu.edu/cfaesdiversity.

brown.osu.edu

2018 Brown County 4-H Camp Counselor Reference Form Person completing this form cannot be a relative of applicant!

___________________ is applying as a camp counselor for Brown County 4-H Camps this summer. The camp counselor selection committee would like your input about the qualities and ability to fulfill the responsibilities of a counselor. The information you include will not be shared with the applicant. Please complete this reference form based on your knowledge and/or observations. Thank you for your help. Please submit in a sealed envelope and return by January 16, 2018.

OSU Extension – Brown County

325 W. State Street, Bldg. B Phone: 937-378-6716 FAX: 937-378-6646

Georgetown, OH 45121 Or email to: clary.42@osu.edu

Reference Provided by:

Name: _____________________________ Signature:______________________________ Date: ______

Relationship to Applicant: ________________ How long have you known the applicant? _____________

1. Please mark how you would evaluate the applicant’s qualities, using this scale:

Excellent Good Fair Poor Not

Known

Responsibility

Communication skills

Respect for others

Dependability

Enthusiasm

Flexibility

Patience

Initiative

Resourcefulness

Ability to work with children (age 5-10)

Ability to work with children (ages 11-14)

Ability to work with other teens

Ability to work with adults

2. Please write any additional comments here:

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION

CFAES provides research and related educational programs to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis. For

more information: go.osu.edu/cfaesdiversity.

brown.osu.edu

2018 Brown County 4-H Camp Counselor Reference Form Person completing this form cannot be a relative of applicant!

___________________ is applying as a camp counselor for Brown County 4-H Camps this summer. The camp counselor selection committee would like your input about the qualities and ability to fulfill the responsibilities of a counselor. The information you include will not be shared with the applicant. Please complete this reference form based on your knowledge and/or observations. Thank you for your help. Please submit in a sealed envelope and return by January 16, 2018.

OSU Extension – Brown County

325 W. State Street, Bldg. B Phone: 937-378-6716 FAX: 937-378-6646

Georgetown, OH 45121 Or email to: clary.42@osu.edu

Reference Provided by:

Name: _____________________________ Signature:______________________________ Date: ______

Relationship to Applicant: ________________ How long have you known the applicant? _____________

1. Please mark how you would evaluate the applicant’s qualities, using this scale:

Excellent Good Fair Poor Not

Known

Responsibility

Communication skills

Respect for others

Dependability

Enthusiasm

Flexibility

Patience

Initiative

Resourcefulness

Ability to work with children (age 5-10)

Ability to work with children (ages 11-14)

Ability to work with other teens

Ability to work with adults

2. Please write any additional comments here: