Why are you at camp, anyway? The
answer may be obvious: to guide, support and nurture your campers.
Even though this is not new, keep this thought coming back to your
mind again and again. Have patience with the Director and thank
him or her for reminding you of this repeatedly all through the
planning season!
- If camp is for the camper, your social life
comes SECOND to that of time spent with the children.
- If food runs short in the dining hall, you are
the one to go without.
- If the campers are lined up, you are last in
line.
- If there is a fun activity going on, your job
is to see that your children have a blast.
- If there is a ball game, you hit the ball only
if all the other children have had a turn.
- If there is a contest, you step aside and let
the campers compete, even if it means your team may lose.
- When lunch is dismissed, you don't tarry to
talk, you move out with your kids.
- Take care of yourself during camp! How does
that help the campers? If you are worn out, cranky, too tired
to do your best with and for the campers, THEY lose out! See
the section below:
Counselor Exhaustion - How
to Prevent it
This problem can really undermine the
effectiveness of the counselor. Even if everything else is under
control, this thing can wipe you out! The problem is exhaustion.
We offer this prescription:
REST during rest time (if you are lucky
enough to find some!). A couple of minutes to sit down after
a meal (if you aren't working K.P.) or just before flags or evening
program will pay off in ways you can't imagine!
SLEEP AT NIGHT. Believe it or not, you
will not feel like going to bed. Quite often you want to stay
up later, talk, socialize, or read. Sleep anyway-because you
need it, not because you necessarily feel like it. Stay away
from caffeine containing foods and drinks after 8:00 p.m. Many
teens honestly believe that caffeine "really doesn't affect them".
They believe that they can drink caffeine-laced sodas and eat
chocolate like there's no tomorrow, and that they can then "sleep
just fine". Yes, many teens can ingest caffeine and then sleep.
It is medically proven however, that the sleep will NOT be as
restful and will be worth less than if you limit caffeine late
in the day!
TAKE A GOOD MULTIPLE VITAMIN EVERY DAY. When
your body is under stress, a multiple vitamin, taken at the prescribed
dose is a good idea-and it will pay off in big ways! Many counselors
over the years have left camp and gotten colds or flu within
a couple weeks after camp. Taking a multiple vitamin beginning
a few days before camp and during camp will cut the chances of
you getting sick considerably! (And a "summer cold" really stinks,
doesn't it!?)
DO NOT PUSH YOURSELF TO THE END! If you
do, you are no good to anyone. Do not let pride take you on a
dead-end road of self-destruction. Take care of yourself so you
can take good care of the children entrusted to your care.
ONE GOOD WAY TO WIND DOWN AT THE END OF THE
DAY, even when you don't feel much like sleeping is to keep
a journal. Write down the best things that happened during the
day. Write down what disappointments you had, or make notes about
particular challenges you expect with campers in the coming day.
Write down things you would have done differently if you had
the day to do over. These are all good things to think through
anyway, and writing them down, even briefly, will help you "unload
your mind" and allow you mind and your body to get back in to
the same time zone!
|
