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Virginia 4-H Camping Volunteer Training Modules

Virginia 4-H Camping Volunteer Training Modules. MODULE 4: 4-H CAMP VOLUNTEER ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND POSITION DESCRIPTIONS. Developed by Barry A. Garst, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist 4-H Youth Development, March 2006. How to Use this Information.

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Virginia 4-H Camping Volunteer Training Modules

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  1. Virginia 4-H CampingVolunteer Training Modules MODULE 4: 4-H CAMP VOLUNTEER ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND POSITION DESCRIPTIONS Developed by Barry A. Garst, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist 4-H Youth Development, March 2006

  2. How to Use this Information • If you are a 4-H adult volunteer leader: • 1. Review the 4-H camp-related information contained in this presentation. • 2. Consider the “Discussion Questions” listed on the last page. • 3. Contact your local 4-H Extension Agent (or other person responsible for 4-H camping in your county/city) to review this information. • If you are a VCE faculty or staff member responsible for 4-H camping in your unit: • 1. Review the 4-H camp-related information contained in this presentation. • 2. Use this presentation to support your 4-H camp teen/adult volunteer leader training. • 3. Use the “Discussion Questions” listed on the last page as a resource in reviewing this information with your 4-H camp volunteers.

  3. Overview • 4-H camp staff roles • 4-H camp staff position descriptions • 4-H camp staff expectations

  4. 4-H Camp Staff Roles • There are four (4) major staff roles at 4-H camp, including: • 4-H Camp- Counselors in Training (C.I.T.) • 4-H Camp- Teen Counselors • 4-H Camp- Adult Volunteers • 4-H Camp- Summer Camp Program Staff

  5. 4-H Camp Staff Age Policy • 4-H Camp- Counselors in Training (C.I.T.) • Must be at least 13 years old by January 1 of current 4-H year • 4-H Camp- Teen Counselors • Must be at least 14 years of age by January 1 of current 4-H year • 4-H Camp- Adult Volunteers • Must be at least 19 years old by January 1 of current 4-H year • 4-H Camp- Summer Camp Program Staff • Summer program camp staff are typically 18-24 years old. (There is no state 4-H policy regarding the ages of summer camp program staff.)

  6. Importance of a 4-H Camp Volunteer Position Description • All 4-H camp paid and volunteer staff must be provided with a written position descriptionbefore they begin work at 4-H camp. • Volunteers must read and sign their position descriptions. • Your 4-H Extension Agent (or other adult responsible for 4-H camp in your county/city) will provide you with a job description that outlines your major responsibilities. • If you have not yet received a job description, please contact your local Cooperative Extension office.

  7. Cooperation Between 4-H Camp Volunteer and Paid Staff • Junior 4-H camp is only possible through the combined efforts of paid and volunteer staff. Each county/city that camps at a 4-H Center recruits teen and adult volunteers to assist with camp. • In addition, each 4-H Center provides 10-20 paid summer camp program staff members to assist with camp. • 4-H camp is successful when paid and volunteer staff work cooperatively in the best interest of youth campers.

  8. 4-H Camp Volunteer Staff General Responsibilities • 4-H camp volunteer staff are responsible for the following: • Work for 5 days (or less) • Supervise youth during daytime and nighttime hours (depending on the 4-H Center, volunteers may sleep in the same cabin/lodge at the campers in order to provide supervision) • Provide a caring environment for youth/address youths’ needs • Assist with morning and afternoon camp classes • Assist with afternoon and evening camp programs • Assist the 4-H Extension Agent (or other adult responsible for the county/city 4-H camping program) in all aspects of camp as needed • Work cooperatively with the 4-H Center Program Director and summer 4-H camp staff members.

  9. 4-H Camp Volunteer Staff General Responsibilities • For additional information regarding your job as a 4-H camp volunteer, please refer to your position description.

  10. 4-H Camp Paid Staff General Responsibilities • 4-H summer camp staff are responsible for the following: • Work for approximately 10 weeks of camp • Design 4-H camp curriculum and teach 3-5 camp classes daily • Plan, implement, and evaluate day and evening camp programs • Maintain all program equipment and supplies • Work cooperatively with the 4-H Extension Agent (or other adult responsible for the county/city 4-H camping program) and 4-H camp volunteer staff (CITs, teen counselors, and adult volunteers)

  11. 4-H CampCounselors-in-Training (C.I.T.) • Philosophy of the CIT Program • For youth to develop and improve their skills, as well as utilize their abilities to work with others in a camp setting; to learn responsibility and the importance of following through on commitments and assignments; and, to learn 4-H camp procedures and program skills.

  12. 4-H CampCounselors-in-Training (C.I.T.) • The C.I.T. program is designed to teach potentially new teen counselors how to work with younger children, and to have them return as counselors in the coming years. C.I.T.’s learn the purpose of 4-H camping and how it relates to the total overall 4-H program. • The C.I.T. program provides opportunities for youth to grow and develop as well as learn leadership skills as they serve in the camping program.

  13. 4-H CampCounselors-in-Training (C.I.T.) • Youth serving as 4-H camp Counselors-in-Training (C.I.T.) are in a learning role under the supervision, guidance, direction, and/or leadership of an experienced camp counselor to become a future 4-H camp counselor. The emphasis is on “learning,” and • C.I.T.s may not have sole supervision of campers at any time.

  14. 4-H CampTeen Counselors • Philosophy of the Teen Counselor Program • The Virginia 4-H program recognizes that teenagers have the greatest opportunity to influence younger children. Children look up to teens. In essence, younger children want to be teens more than they want to be adults. Thus, teen counselors have a great opportunity to make a lasting impression on campers. • Since teen counselors are closer to the age of campers, teen counselors have the advantage of being more in tune with the likes, dislikes, and concerns of the campers.

  15. 4-H CampTeen Counselors • 4-H Camp Teen Counselors supervise children in the camp setting, serving in place of the parent and assuming responsibility for the well-being of the campers in their care at all times. Their primary role is to appropriately supervise 4-H campers. • 4-H Camp Teen Counselors must be a friend, guide, teacher, and companion to those children under his/her supervision. Positive role modeling is a must for every 4-H Camp Teen Counselor.

  16. 4-H CampTeen Counselors • All 4-H Camp Teen Counselors serve under the supervision, guidance, direction, and/or leadership of the Extension staff (paid or volunteer) in charge of the 4-H camping event.

  17. 4-H Camp Adult Volunteers • Philosophy of 4-H Camp Adult Volunteers • Adult volunteers are important in camp as they provide the necessary maturity and experiences of life that can guide young children in the 4-H camping community. Most important, adult volunteers are the “caring adults” that are necessary in order to provide positive youth development.

  18. 4-H Camp Adult Volunteers • Adult volunteers are staff who have agreed to fill defined roles in planning, implementing, and/or evaluating the unit’s 4-H camping event(s), under the supervision, guidance, direction, and/or leadership of the Extension staff (paid or volunteer) in charge of the 4-H camping event. • Adult volunteers also serve in place of the parent and assume responsibility for the well-being of the youth in their care.

  19. 4-H Camp Adult Volunteers • Through active participation in 4-H camp activities, adult volunteers are role models for teen counselors. Adult volunteers assist the salaried Extension staff in supervising and guiding the 4-H teen camp counselors during the camp experience. • While most 4-H camps depend on trained 4-H teen counselors as room supervisors, adult volunteers also play an important role in cabin/lodge supervision. • Adult volunteer typically conduct daily cabin/lodge checks and other specific duties each day of camp.

  20. For More Information • This presentation has provided you with an overview of your responsibilities as a 4-H camp volunteer. • Please contact your local Cooperative Extension Office to learn more about the specific expectations for your position as a 4-H camp volunteer. • The State 4-H Office extends a sincere “thank you” to all of volunteers that make 4-H camp possible!

  21. Discussion Questions • Can you think of a 4-H camp situation in which volunteer and paid staff teamwork was critical? • With regards to camper supervision, how are a teen counselors’ and an adult volunteers’ responsibilities similar? How are they different? • Which 4-H camp volunteer responsibility will be the most challenging for you? • What do you think is the most important thing that should be remembered from this module?

  22. References • Garst, B.A. (2005). Virginia 4-H Camping Handbook. Virginia Cooperative Extension. Publication 388-562.

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