No matter what you call them (Camper Care Team, Behavior Specialist, Camp Social Worker, Senior Staff, etc.), the people, systems, and resources you have in place to respond to higher-level camper needs can get stretched thin on busy camp days. So it’s essential that front-line staff are empowered to assist campers with behavior and social/emotional challenges that inevitably arise. Today’s staff need specific, actionable information to be set up for success, so let’s tell them what kind of camper interactions we want them to feel confident handling themselves, and when to ask for assistance. Then, if/when “Camper Care” is on the way, let’s make sure staff have skills for supporting the camper’s needs in the meantime, keeping things as calm as possible, and successfully transitioning the situation to the arriving support person(s). A behavior-empowered staff team means your situational responders can function more efficiently and effectively – let’s make sure your staff is ready!
