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by Greg Cronin
Effective supervision is one of the most important aspects of quality
camp staff experiences. A successful, safe, and activity-filled summer
is predicated on the camp’s ability to adequately monitor each step of
staff’s growth and development. While day and resident camps are inherently
different, the following ideas can be used in either setting.
The basis for a strong supervisory program begins with identifying the
overall goals for staff supervision. Depending on the camp, its programs,
and its population, the goals will differ widely, but it is imperative
that clear goals are set. Some examples of staff supervision goals might
be to:
- Permit counselor autonomy in group management situations.
- Set an expectation that positive resolution to problems is the norm.
- Expect that personal accountability is the earmark of the camp staff.
Overall goals will help identify the more specific items and activities
to be addressed. An accurate assessment of the current supervisory techniques
will pinpoint areas for improvement. Isolating the areas for improvement
and addressing them contribute to a strong supervision system that will
support the camp’s mission statement while creating better communication
within the camp community.
Once the framework is established, opportunities for creative supervision
are abundant. Start with the interview process for prospective staff.
In addition to the overview of the camp’s program, include how the staff
members are supervised and what avenues they have for communication with
their supervisor, the director, campers, and parents.
Morning Meetings Help Staff Bond
During orientation, sharing the supervisory structure and expectations
are important, but only the beginning. Supervising and training are ongoing
processes, and they increase in importance when campers arrive. Try this!
Meet with the entire staff each morning. Sounds impossible, doesn’t it?
Each morning just before campers arrive, meet with all the administrative
staff, counselors, junior counselors, and representatives from the specialty
areas — twenty to thirty minutes works best.
What does this accomplish? It allows the staff to hear about the previous
day’s problems and solutions, to be informed of assignments and schedule
changes, and to address the special needs of campers. In addition, it
provides an opportunity to communicate with supervisors and camp administration,
to voice opinions, to be heard and respected, to eat breakfast treats,
and to have a chance to bond. More importantly, it provides camp supervisors
the chance to monitor how the staff members are doing, observe their interactions,
and to help establish commitment to the campers and the program.
The morning meeting should accommodate a block of five to ten minutes
for staff members to follow up individually, if necessary. Typically,
senior staff administrators can meet with three or four staff members
who have the most burning questions. This time is also very useful for
speaking with anyone who may have a new assignment for the day or week.
A few words from the camp director or a senior supervisor will go a long
way to encouraging communication and quality performance from a camp staffer.
Take the “Open Door” to Staff
Many supervisors pride themselves on their open-door policy, but what
does that really mean to staff? They must come to the open door. Staff
may be reluctant to approach you with a problem or may not even know they
need assistance in some respects. So in addition to being available and
approachable, make time during the day to informally interact with staffers.
Observe and talk with them about the day’s experiences at camp, watch
their interaction with the campers, and offer encouragement and praise
whenever possible. Purposely talk about some non-camp related topics in
an effort to connect at another level. Once common ground and comfortable
communication are established, any constructive criticism will be seen
as helpful hints rather than personal criticism.
Supervisors who use this technique provide a powerful learning tool to
their staff. Staff will find they can capitalize on their relationships
with campers to effectively supervise them during the day. Modeling the
technique in training sessions and in on-site situations will help staffers
successfully deal with camp problems such as undesired behavior. Time
is short during a camp day and problems need to be resolved before campers
leave. So if the goal is to handle common discipline problems quietly
and with the intent of preserving camper integrity as much as possible,
begin teaching this method by choosing non-complicated issues like appropriate
dress, tone of voice, or the correction of undesired behavior. This type
of consistent modeling will pay great dividends as supervision techniques
move to the next level — getting staff to supervise each other!
Encourage Information Sharing
Because of the short camp day, be as proactive as possible when dealing
with camp issues. Be sure to adequately use the other professionals on
the staff to help with supervision and problem solving. Allow younger
staff to utilize the many avenues of sharing information and identify
the opportunities when other administrative staff may play an important
part in the training and supervising process. For example, staff should
be encouraged, when appropriate, to cultivate an open dialogue with other
supervisory staff, such as a clinic professional or program director.
Ideally, this open dialogue will continue beyond the parameters of the
stimulating camp day while staff are relaxing, reflecting, and sharing.
Supervisors and staff alike should be taught, before camp, to recognize
the opportunities to share pertinent information.
Manage by Walking Around
Throughout the course of the day use the age-old technique called MBWA
(management by walking around). This technique calls for relaxed observation,
positive presence, and enthusiasm from supervisors. The key to MBWA is
to time it carefully. Examine the times in the program in which this type
of supervision will be most effective. Nothing substitutes for the director
being available, visiting various activities, and providing positive constructive
feedback to staff. This provides a reference point from which staff will
be willing to accept suggestions in the future from other supervisors
as well as from the camp director.
End the Day on a Positive Note
End the camp day with a short assembly. It brings the camp staff and
campers all together and allows them to see the camp director and other
senior supervisors in action. It can be a far more effective supervision
tool than any other single daily activity. While announcing group accomplishments,
directing group cheers, and praising staff, supervisors can monitor the
overall well-being of each group. The combination of the morning meeting
and the daily assembly will provide supervisors with a broad overview
of staff dynamics.
A final opportunity for observation of staff occurs at the end of the
camp day dismissal. During transition time, supervisors can monitor the
interactions among campers, parents, and staff. This observation provides
additional insight into individual and group dynamics, which may help
to pinpoint issues, address concerns, and develop training topics for
further discussion. It is critical that the camp director and other supervisors
be present to observe during major transition times.
Capitalizing on the opportunities to both observe and nurture staff development
in a hectic, but controlled environment is paramount in day camp. Camp
can be the perfect place to develop problem-solving skills, hone life
skills, and perfect communication and interaction skills. Giving young
people a chance to make observations and share ways of resolving situations
under the supervision of senior staff is invaluable to their growth and
self-esteem. Being creative and providing multiple opportunities for supervision
and training also provides the director an opportunity to offer alternative
solutions and establish policy in a positive manner.
The experience day camp provides young staff for working closely with
campers of all ages will lead to insights that would never be available
through a less challenging job. Directors who help staff achieve self-knowledge
and appreciation for creative problem-solving will provide a much-needed
avenue for a higher level of thinking. Steady, constructive, non-threatening
feedback from the camp director, supervisors, and peers will result in
a staff with shared visions and strong bonds. The benefit is a creative
and happy staff who return year after year for more personal camp experiences.
Originally published in the 2001 May/June issue
of Camping Magazine. |
