SECTION VIII THE WEEK AT CAMP!

1. SECTION VIIITHE WEEK AT CAMP! Confronting Abuse ● Changing Lives

2. 1.GETTING READY FOR CAMP

3. 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 TEVA style closed toed sandals are okayaround camp

4. 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

5. 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). 

6. WHO GOES, WHO STAYS Team One- Counselors and Staff to help set up camp on Sunday & be there when children arrive. • 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

7. 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!

8. NON-COUNCSELING STAFF • Counselors are in for a long, hard week • Some will hesitate to ask for help or relief Typical Thursday Counselor Position

9. 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

10. 2.CAMP POLICY AND RULE REVIEW

11. CAMP POLICIES 2 ADULTS OPEN DOORS PRIVATE BEDS NO CAMERAS OR CELL PHONE

12. 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

13. THE RULES, POLICIES & SCHEDULESBacked By Decades Of RFKC Experience • Rules and policies: • Protect the children • Protect you • Protect the integrity of this camp and the national organization.

14. THE RULES, POLICIES & SCHEDULESBacked 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.

15. NEVER BE ALONE WITH A CHILDFor 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.

16. 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.

17. 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 3.OWNERSHIP

18. 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

19. 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.

20. 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

21. OWNING YOUR MEMORIES • 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!

22. ITEMS GIVEN AT OUR CAMP • 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

23. 4.WHAT HAPPENSAT CAMP

24. 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!

25. MONDAY: THE ROYAL WELCOME Staff should be lined up and waiting with their signs Make it a big deal, go crazy, it’s camp - go camp crazy!

26. 5.CAMP SCHEDULE

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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.

30. 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

31. SPECIAL EVENTS • Several events are scheduled for the week • EVERYBODY’S BIRTHDAY PARTY!

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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

35. 6.GOING HOME FROM CAMP

36. 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.

37. 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.

38. 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 AFFIRMING If a caregiver shows up overly belligerent and/or under the influence, notify the director immediately

39. 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

40. 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 leave

41. WELCOME HOME BANQUET • In the spirit of giving EVERYONE the Royal Treatment • Held in your honor with family and friends

42. WELCOME HOME BANQUET • A time to thank the staff and acknowledge their service • A time to serve those who have served.

43. 3 FOR 3 Before we move on… Let’s have three questions about this section. AND / OR Three Take-a-ways