SECTION VIIITHE WEEK AT CAMP!

Confronting Abuse ● Changing Lives1RFK Inc. 2012

1.GETTING READY

FOR CAMP

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DRESS CODE 

• Modest camp attire for men and women –don’t become part of the problem

• Closed-toe athletic and/or hiking shoes

• Modest swimwear• Underwear and Sleepwear

closed toed sandals

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WHAT TO PACK• Enough clothes for 5-6 days (based on the Dress Code),

without use of laundry facilities• Closed-toed shoes to wear around camp• Open toed sandals / Flip flops for the pool or swimming

area ONLY• Windbreaker, sweatshirt, or rain jacket• Hat or visor recommended• Linens and pillow or sleeping bag • Toiletries and shower items• Bug spray, Sun screen, Chapstick• Snacks (eaten out of sight of children and NOT in

cabins)• Flashlight• Bible• OPTIONAL: CD player, fan for rooms

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BE AWARE OF…• Medications

– IF YOU ARE STAYING IN CLOSE QUARTERS WITH CHILDREN, all medications must be checked in with the camp medical professional.

• Mouthwash– Mouthwash should not be in reach of

children due to alcohol content (perceived or real). 

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WHO GOES, WHO STAYS

Team One- Counselors and Staff to help set up camp on Sunday & be there when children arrive.

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Team Two – Smaller team of people need to be at registration and available to ride on the bus to camp

Team Three- Those who help set up camp or with registration but don’t go or stay at camp

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ATTITUDE

• Attitude is everything at Camp. Going in with a positive, flexible attitude is needed from every adult at camp.

• “For the Kids” • Support Your Director! Support

each other!

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NON-COUNCSELING STAFF

• Counselors are in for a long, hard week

• Some will hesitate to ask for help or relief

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Typical Thursday Counselor Position

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NON-COUNCSELING STAFF

Your role:–Lift them up in prayer throughout camp

–Watch for signs of fatigue and stress

–Help them whenever and wherever you can

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2.CAMP POLICY

AND RULE REVIEW

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CAMP POLICIES

2 ADULTSOPEN

DOORS

PRIVATEBEDS

NOCAMERAS ORCELL PHONE

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POOL TIME

• Pool Time Sign in/out Log Sheet• The lifeguard will make sure they’re

safe but your eyes are helpful. • Your role (counselor or staff) is

–to have fun!–be mindful of what’s happening underwater

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THE RULES, POLICIES & SCHEDULES

Backed By Decades Of RFKC Experience

• Rules and policies: – Protect the children– Protect you– Protect the integrity of

this camp and the national organization.

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THE RULES, POLICIES & SCHEDULES

Backed By Decades Of RFKC Experience

The schedule:– Takes into account the balance of restful

time with big activity time.– Accommodates the children without making

them feel rushed.– Is in conjunction with the camp facility and

their staff.

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NEVER BE ALONE WITH A CHILD

For any reason. Period. No exceptions.• Always be in sight of another adult. This

means:– A 2nd adult has to wait with you if your

camper is slow getting dressed in the morning and you’re late for meal time.

– A 2nd adult must be in sight if you need a private conversation with a child.

– A 2nd adult must accompany you to take a child to the bathroom.

– A 2nd adult must accompany you to take a child to the nurse’s station.

 

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REMEMBER 2 QUESTIONS

• How does this look or sound to the child (who’s been groomed, abused, etc)?

• How would this look or sound to social services? • Campers like to WILL tell their

Foster Parents and Social Workers everything about camp.

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3.OWNERSHIP

Foster children have few possessions

What do they have are hand-me-downs and worn out

Ownership of a new, personal item is rare for them

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OWNING A BIBLE

• Having a Bible is a powerful symbol of God’s Love for them

• Counselors should personally present it to their campers shortly after arrival

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OWNING YOUR NAME• Research camper’s

name for meaning and spiritual reference

• Hope is given when they discover they are valuable, and they matter

• May be the first time their name is used in a positive, affirming way.

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OWNING A NEW T-SHIRT

Campers are given 2 RFKC shirts.

First shirt on Monday • Visually identifies them as

part of the group

Second on Friday • Presents a clean, “taken

care of” image to the care givers

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• Memory book or photo album for each camper

• If possible, personalize them by adding a quick note or affirming words

• The photo album will be held onto longer than anything else!

OWNING YOUR MEMORIES

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• Name Banner• RFKC Memory Bag• T-shirts• Bible• Schedule• Bible Chapel Workbook• Memory Book/Photo Album• CD/Ipod of RFKC Music• Water Bottle w/Name

ITEMS GIVEN AT OUR CAMP

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4.WHAT

HAPPENSAT CAMP

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SUNDAYPREPARE FOR CAMPERS’ ARRIVAL

• Commissioning Ceremony at Church then off to camp ground.

• Decorate cabins for the campers - Make it feel warm and welcoming!

• Create signs with the children’s names for their arrival

• Set up Activity Centers• Circles of Prayer• Go to Bed by 10pm!

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MONDAY: THE ROYAL WELCOME

Staff should be lined up and waiting with their signs

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Make it a big deal, go crazy, it’s camp - go camp crazy!

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5.CAMP

SCHEDULE

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THE SCHEDULE • Subject to change at your director’s discretion• A balance of restful and big muscle activities • Consistent throughout the week• Gives the campers a routine they can count

on and trust• While it’s important to go at the pace of the

child, it’s also important to stay on time

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THE SCHEDULE • Think of the schedule as a boundary, not a

recommendation• Be where you’re supposed to be when you’re

supposed to be there• Do not deviate from the schedule or your

assignment without permission from the director

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A SAMPLE SCHEDULE• 7:00 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. LIGHTS ON: Wake up, get dressed• 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast• 8:40 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Group Game• 9:10 a.m. – 10:10 a.m. Breakfast Club/Counselor Meeting & Break• 10:20 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Activity Centers• 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch and 30/30 time• 1:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Swimming and Activities Centers • (90 minutes each)• 5:00 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. Dinner• 6:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. Evening Activities or Group Game• 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Evening Event• 8:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Stories and handbooks in rooms/group

hikes• 9:30 p.m. Bedtime/Relief Counselors on duty• 10:00 p.m. LIGHTS OUT

Pull out your camp schedule for review. 29RFK Inc. 2012

GRADUATION(recommendation)

• For 11/12 year olds–Use them throughout the week in

leadership roles–Have special, separate events for

boys and girls one night (during cabin time at night)

–Graduation Program on Friday • Make them feel extra special

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SPECIAL EVENTS

• Several events are scheduled for the week

• EVERYBODY’S BIRTHDAY PARTY!

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ACTIVITY CENTERS• Activity centers set up to provide variety and

choices in a non-competitive environment• The activities are short and easy to complete,

focused on the PROCESS versus the PRODUCT • Great opportunity for non-

counseling staff to interact

with the campers

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TEACHABLE MOMENTS

• A moment where a camper opens up, wants to learn more

• Can happen anytime, anywhere• Most often happens walking to and from

events and activity times

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CLOSING CEREMONY

• Closure for the children and staff• Simple ceremony to remind

them of what they’ve learned• Allows an opportunity to “leave their cares behind”

– Tree-planting– Time capsule– Balloons released

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6.GOING HOME FROM CAMP

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GOING HOME LOGISTICS

• Make last-day logistics as stress-free as possible for the campers

• Counselors may ride home on the bus with their campers if there is room aboard.

• The ride home can be very somber. Have tissues, barf bags, and a long movie ready if possible.

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ARRIVING BACK AT THE CHURCH

• Counselors – stay with the children– There will be a check-out process for the

caregivers– Help find and retrieve your campers’ belongings – Help find and retrieve your campers’

medications from the camp nurse/doctor

• Non-counselor staff must take care of unloading all children’s belongings FIRST and sort for easy identification. Staff belongings and camp materials take second priority.

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DEALING WITH CAREGIVERS

• Be prepared for any kind of behavior from the caregivers

• Be prepared for the defensive walls from your campers

• STAY POSITIVE AND AFFIRMINGIf a caregiver shows up overly belligerent

and/or under the influence, notify the director immediately

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CHILDREN’S PROGRAM

• Upon return, a brief program for caregivers that includes:–“Public” video or slide show–Children sing 2-3 songs–Caregiver and child leave

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DEBIEF(recommendation)

After a week of affirming children, it’s important to affirm each other

• Meet in small groups or one large group

• Share “Stories of the One” and experiences and camp’s impact

• Held after campers leave40RFK Inc. 2012

WELCOME HOME BANQUET

• In the spirit of giving EVERYONE the Royal Treatment

• Held in your honor with family and friends

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WELCOME HOME BANQUET

• A time to thank the staff and acknowledge their service

• A time to serve those who have served.

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3 FOR 3

Before we move on…

Let’s have three questions about this section.

AND / ORThree Take-a-ways

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