Camp-School Teaches that Rain is Liquid Sunshine

Even the best camp counselors can be better if they are trained. Although there may not be such a thing as a Masters Degree in Camp Counseling, training counselors is beneficial to the campers, the parents and the counselors themselves.

Teenagers who think that a camp job is a great way to be paid to leave the city and hang out with friends, can achieve a deeper feeling of satisfaction about their summer activities knowing that they left a positive effect on the lives of their campers.

A group of Lubavitcher head counselors went to Camp School in Pennsylvania in June and came back to their home-base neighborhood, Crown Heights, Brooklyn, where they put together a program they called Staffweek (a one day program) and passed on their newly acquired knowledge and enthusiasm to a wide group of camp counselors going to camps around the world. The program was under the auspices of Tzivos Hashem Craft Workshops and jewishchildren.com.

To utilize the summer months when school is not in session, the Lubavitcher Rebbe stressed the importance of sending children to a Jewish camp. Out of the city, a child is not only closer to nature, he is further from the distractions of the city. The physical activities, the camaraderie and the programs can refresh a student and generate spirit and energy that will be infused in his studies in the coming year, and perhaps beyond.

In overnight camp, in particular, campers are in an environment saturated with Torah values twenty-four/seven. Individuals who do not excel in a classroom situation may be able to excel on campgrounds.

There are many facets of camp that make a major difference in the camp experience. The individual bunk counselors would be at the top of the list. No beautiful lakefront can make up for a lousy camper/counselor relationship.

When they arrived back from Camp School the group of head counselors were full of enthusiasm and optimism. They discussed some of the things that made an impression on them and could help others who are going to be counselors, head counselors or any camp staff member who will be in contact with campers – which includes just about everyone in camp.

• It was unusual for a group of Rabbis to be attending the program and the boys were impressed by the effort that was made to make them feel comfortable. Everyone in the program was to be accepted for who they were. There was never any justification for leaving someone on the outside.

• The days were filled with classes and programs. Each class began with a song. Each participant in the program was asked at least once to lead a song of their choice.

• Despite the packed days, the flow of activities was very orderly. No screaming, no threatening to get people to be on time and in place. Every moment was used. There was no boredom. And if it rained, there was a backup plan… because rain is liquid sunshine, no reason to get disoriented.

• Most of the classes were interactive. A method that helps generate a deeper interest in the material presented. When classes were split into groups to practice what they learnt, there was a counting system that scrambled the participants so that you were always working with new people.

• The program taught and exemplified being goal oriented. The overall goal being to make the world a better place. Discipline should also be goal oriented. It is not to punish but rather to bring the camper closer to the desired behavior. Discipline begins with reminding the camper of the expected behavior. Sometimes that is all it takes.

• Classes were taught at a round table. At the beginning of the program, everyone around the table would say their name, their goals for coming to the program, their life’s fears and their greatest hopes. The simple ritual brought strangers together.

The Staffweek program featured guest speakers and workshops. The workshops were composed and presented by the boys who were at Camp School.

The opening speaker was Rabbi Sholom Baras, Principal of Lubavitch Yeshiva Ocean Parkway during the school year and Learning Director of Camp Gan Israel, Parksville, NY in the summer. He spoke about respect for even the youngest camper. Every child is important and how a counselor treats a child leaves a lasting impression. If he is treated with respect, a child will realize his own self worth and be able to live up to expectations. If a camper makes a staff member angry, the staff is to get over their anger, and only approach the camper when they are calm. Go outside and take a deep breath if you have to. Screaming at a camper makes him think that you hate him.

There is often one child who will not fit in. It is easy to ignore him. But if the counselor ignores him, so will the other campers. The counselor may want to regard this lonely soul as a special challenge. No child should be made fun of. A punishment, such as being grounded, should be made known that it will be applied is anyone makes fun of someone else.

Being a counselor or head counselor takes a lot of energy. Rabbi Baras spoke about the importance of getting enough sleep.

There was a workshop on Teamwork. It ended with an activity to demonstrate the difference between acting alone or acting as a team with a coach. Eight participants were asked to form a circle holding hands. Then they were told, that without letting go, they were to make their circle face outward. Immediately each participant tried to turn around. LOL. It was very funny to watch. After sorting themselves out again. They were given instructions and – working as a team – the circle was transformed with ease.

The key words in the Teamwork Workshop were: communication, bonding, clear expectations, chain of command, empowerment of individuals through communication and delegation, and common goals.

The Counseling workshop ended with the participants forming groups of three who were to play the roles of the camper, the counselor and an observer to evaluate the response of the counselor.

But before they did this exercise they were given goals and guidelines. The participants listed goals that included, giving reassurance, making the camper feel better and steering the camper in the right direction.

The guidelines started with first recognizing when a camper wants to or needs to talk.

• Sometimes the need is obvious and other times it takes an awareness of other people to sense a need for counseling. If the camper does not want to talk, then just offer to do what you can. Use words like, “I would like to help you if you decide you want my help.”

• The next step is to find a place that is private but not secluded. Somewhere the camper will feel relaxed and confident. An office is not recommended. That is one of the beauties of being in camp.

• Body language is important. Try to be on the same eye level. The camper should not have to look up to you. Leaning forward shows interest.

• Ask questions so you know what is going on and then ask how the camper sees himself handling the situation. If necessary the counselor can suggest alternate possibilities.

• Do what you can to make the camper feel better.

The Goals and Methods workshop discussed universal goals being applied to specific methods. There was a lot of interaction between the presenter and his audience and yet the audience respected the presenter as the leader. The workshop was about Goals and Methods but it was represented Team Work.

To open the workshop, the participants listed goals including: instilling a commitment to Yiddishkeit in a fun way, generating enjoyment for Torah study and coaching children who do not do well in school to do well in camp. Then the leader of the workshop went through a daily camp schedule and showed how each activity could be done in a way that leads towards accomplishing the goals. For instance, during Davening the staff should be physically together with the campers. The counselor with his bunk, not at the front. The staff should be talking with G-d, only. No cell phones. No texting. If there is a need for communication, it should be done with no-words, if possible. Sign language and monosyllables can often get the point across and it gives the message that the counselor is serious about Davening. A living example makes more of an impression than discipline or lectures.

It may seem obvious that Davening should be infused with Torah values, but the workshop dealt with less obvious parts of the camp daily schedule as well. Even sports. A camper who is not a good player is not to sit on the bench. He is to be part of the game because the goal is to win in Ahavas Yisroel, not in baseball.

At Camp School in Pennsylvania, one of the Bochurim, Mendy, was asked to lead the song at the beginning of a session. Mendy was one of three brothers attending the program. He was shy. He had never stood in front of an audience before, especially to sing. Yikes! When it became clear he had brothers in the group, it was fine for them to come up and stand by him. He chose to sing Henei Ma Tov. The crowd loved it and it was repeated enough times that everyone joined in. When it was finished they asked for a translation. That sealed it. His first time on stage and Mendy was a star! Camp can do that.

Camp has the potential to bring out the best in campers and counselors. It takes some thought, organization, training and a good night’s sleep. Reading one article cannot prepare camp staff… but it can inspire to explore and proceed, so that by the end of the summer, the Team Work will be the Method to bring us to the Goal of greeting Moshiach Now!