Archive for June, 2011

Orientation is well and truly under way

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011

250 Starlight staff have arrived safely in Starlight, PA and now the huge task of getting everybody ready for the 65th Camp Starlight summer begins.  It goes without saying that some things just happen almost by themselves – the sun comes out, the sky turns blue and the red bunks seem to gleam against the impossibly green grass – but that’s just a small part of summer.  Camp just wouldn’t be the same without the amazing people, both campers and counselors alike, who become our friends and surrogate family for just a few weeks.

Our staff this year comes from 39 states and 13 countries – that’s a lot of air miles clocked up just getting here!  Our staff are some of the best in their field and it is testament to Camp Starlight’s reputation that they want to spend the summer sharing these skills with others.  The passion, the drive and commitment of all our staff is evident and unquestionable, but how do we get everybody to come together and create a unique summer experience?  That is what orientation is all about.

Firstly it’s a time to make new friends and to form the working relationships that will provide the support, guidance and instruction for our campers.  Program Directors are working with their staff to devise classes and prepare their areas for the weeks ahead.  Kyle is working hard to pull all these great ideas into a structured program and you can be assured that this summer is looking awesome.

Secondly it’s about acquiring or building on the skills that make for a safe, happy and (most importantly) fun summer for us all.  For new staff, this means such simple things as learning the structure of the camp day, camp rules, and the running of the dining hall.  There’s a range of talks from childcare professionals, including David and Allison themselves, on issues such as camper concerns, behavior, child protection and sun safety.  Many Starlight staff members are parents themselves and this offers our college age counselors a wealth of experience they can fall back on.  It’s about not only learning what to do, but also who to turn to if you have a problem. 

Finally, being perfectly honest, orientation is also about having fun.  At 10am on Sunday 19th all staff met each other around the flagpole for the first time.   The few nervous faces quickly disappeared once we were playing games to get to know each other.  Later in the day we’re putting on skits to introduce ourselves properly and tonight we are heading out of camp on a trip.  All this fun has a purpose though, whether a returner or new staff member, we all have something to learn which can make this summer the best one ever.  Anticipation is rising for the arrival of the campers – we’re almost ready for you so if you could just hurry up these next few days please as we can’t wait to meet you all.

New Camper Day 2011

Thursday, June 16th, 2011

Excitement was in the air on Sunday, June 12th as a host of enthusiastic new campers and their parents got to sample the fun that awaits them at Camp Starlight this summer.  Following some introductory games, everyone assembled at the flagpole for an official greeting from David and Allison.  Before some ice breakers that had campers, parents, and staff laughing, several members of the Key Staff were also introduced.  Then it was off for a small group tour, during which lifelong memories and friendships were already being formed.  From the Main Field to the Carriage house and everything in between, campers got a glimpse of all the places where they will have great times as Starlighters over the next several summers.  The day culminated with an option period during which campers actually got to choose and participate in the very first activity of their Starlight careers.  Finally, everyone came together for an indoor cookout before reluctantly getting in their cars and going home to anxiously count down the days until they return for the official start of Summer 2011.  We’re delighted to have such awesome group of campers spending their first summer with us during our 65th!  We can’t wait to see everyone again in a couple of weeks!

A Glimpse at Orientation…The Training of Camp Staff

Tuesday, June 14th, 2011

Every summer you pack your children up and entrust them to the care of others for the summer.  Have you ever wondered what sort of training is provided for your child’s summer camp staff?   For summer camp staff members, the season begins at least one week before the campers arrive with Orientation.

What is Camp Counselor Orientation?  Orientation is a week for camp counselors and other staff members to…

Become familiar with the camp’s expectations.  Summer camp staff members participate in workshops relating to teamwork, camp policies, and child development. During this time, counselors are also familiarized with ACA standards and the importance of maintaining and exceeding these standards.  It’s during this training that counselors are able to grasp that their new summer job, though fun, carries a lot of responsibility and 24/7 focus.

Familiarize themselves with their surroundings.  Your camp wants counselors to understand the campus prior to your camper arriving.  During Orientation, staff members are given every opportunity to familiarize themselves with their new surroundings, as well as which areas require special supervision.

Make new friends.  Why is this important to you?  Happy counselors make better counselors.  As you well know as parents, having a proper support system in place is essential to the success of any parent.  Those looking after your children this summer are no exception.  Orientation is a time for summer camp staff members to become comfortable with their new co-workers and begin to get to know each other.

Attain necessary certification.  Those staff members working in areas such as waterfront and outdoor adventure must have training and certification prior to supervising your children.  For some staff members, this entails arriving at camp well before the camper arrival date in order to be fully prepared from the day the first camper sets foot on campus.  Outside experts such as the Red Cross are often brought in to conduct lifeguard training.  Outdoor Adventure and Waterfront  areas also frequently utilize external professionals to train their staff.

Understand what it’s like to be a camper.  Many camp orientation programs follow mock daily camp schedules and encourage staff members to participate in many of the same activities that their campers will throughout the summer.  Most staff members live and function as members of groups during this period.  The role play isn’t merely designed to give staff members an idea of what’s in store. It gives them the opportunity to embrace the camp’s traditions so that they can share in the enthusiasm with campers.

Receive very valuable and essential education to understanding and working with children.  Summer camps take the well being of their campers very seriously and spare no expense in this area of Orientation.  Big name speakers are brought in for lectures and workshops that educate staff members with the latest, most up-to-date childcare information and relevant laws.  Counselors and other camp staff are left with no doubt or misunderstanding that the campers and their safety are the reason that they are there and, as such, come first.

Mentally prepare themselves for the arrival of campers.  Even the most seasoned childcare professionals and educators can feel a bit overwhelmed when suddenly surrounded by hundreds of enthusiastic children who’ve waited ten months to see their camp friends again.  By taking place on campus before the campers arrive, Orientation serves as a sort of segue from the camp counselors’ lives back home into their new summer lives by giving them some time to adjust to their new home and surroundings before the chaos that is summer camp ensues.

Finally, Orientation is an opportunity for Camp Directors and Senior Staff to assess how their staff interacts and identify individual strengths and weaknesses.  This helps them assign camp counselors to bunks and age groups in which they’re likely to provide the best leadership.

So when you put your campers on the bus in June, you can bet that a very excited and well trained camp staff is waiting on the other end to meet your children and give them the best summer ever.

What Makes Starlight a Special Place

Friday, June 10th, 2011

With camp right around the corner, I wanted to write something about what made Starlight a special place–something that I felt would really express what camp is all about. When I sat down to write, my daughter Gracie was right under my feet and made the task a real challenge. And then it hit me; it’s the people stupid!

Camp Starlight is an amazing place: beautiful, scenic, immaculately landscaped, state of the art facilities.  But none of that is what makes Starlight my 2nd home. It is the amazing talented, selfless people that give “my camp” its soul. I started my journey to Starlight some 13 years ago, I was a 20 year old kid looking to spend one summer having a great time teaching basketball and golf, meeting amazing people and hopefully making a small impact on a group of kids. I had no idea what was in store for me.

Over the next 13 summers I would meet countless friends, watch 13 groups of Upper Seniors “graduate” from camp, get engaged, get married, spend my daughter’s 1st summer at camp, work 10 years with my wife and sister, take part in another Starlight couple’s wedding, participle in 13 Olympics– from coach, to officer, to judge, to the person that oversees the event–watch my Star hung on the dining room wall, and countless other amazing memories.

So my 1st thirteen summers have been full of a lot of great things and I am looking forward to the next 13. I am the luckiest guy in the world.  I get to work with 150 college students, 500 campers, and 50 professionals every summer who have enriched my life more than they will ever know.

Thanks Camp Starlight!

Kyle

10 Things to Do before Your Children Leave for Summer Camp

Tuesday, June 7th, 2011

10 Things to do before Your Children Leave for

10. Complete all of the camp paperwork.  This provides the camp with valuable details about your child that they can pass onto their health center and counselors.  Knowing your children’s interests before they arrive helps the camp place them into cabins or bunks in which they’ll thrive, provide them with the best program options, and be able to supply them with any medication they may require.

9. Buy stationary, pre-address and stamp envelopes for letters home.  Many camps have specific time set aside in their daily schedules for writing home.  Pre-addressed envelopes help ease the process of sending the letters campers have so lovingly written.  This is particularly the case for younger campers.  Also, familiarize yourself with your children’s camp policy regarding camp packages to avoid disappointment that may result from sending items that are undeliverable to your children.

8. Review the camp’s packing list and make sure you have everything.  Don’t overlook things like extra socks and underwear as well as rain gear and warm clothing.

7. Review your camp’s handbook with your children.  Camp handbooks contain valuable information regarding the expectations of campers.  Emphasize that camps put such guidelines in place for the safety and well being of their campers so that they can insure everyone has the most fun possible.

6. Make your Visiting Day plans and book lodging.  Yes, it’s true that your children haven’t even left for camp yet.  But many hotels within the immediate vicinity of a camp often book months in advance.  If you’re unsure of the lodging options near your children’s camp, contact the camp office.

5. Make sure your children’s camper accounts are in order.  Some camps maintain “spending accounts” for campers.  These accounts provide additional funds for campers to take along on out of camp trips to purchase souvenirs or treats.  If you’re unclear at all, call the camp office. Keep in mind that these are often separate accounts from those that cover in-camp expenses such as canteen and laundry services.

4. Ensure you have all adequate sports and musical equipment in order:  the wheels on the roller blades are oiled, the shin pads are the proper fit, and the guitar strings have been tightened.  Just as if they are going off to rehearsal, your children’s sports equipment will receive as much of a workout at camp as it will at home.  Sending your campers with properly maintained and fitting equipment can have a tremendous affect on the success of their summer.

3. Pack.  It sounds so simple.  Yet, for camp, it’s quite the production.  Most camps strongly advise against packing any clothing that can’t withstand commercial laundry services.  It’s also wise to remember that camps often downplay the importance of physical appearance, which means leaving the “dry clean only” and “one of kind” items at home is typically a good idea.  Once you have your children’s bags packed, don’t forget to arrange for them to be delivered to camp by the designated date.

2. Review the bus pickup location and procedures.  It’s particularly important to understand what your children can take on the plane or bus and what they can’t.  Carefully review whether lunch will be provided for your children either on the trip or when they get to camp, or if you should provide packed lunches for them.  Understand the carry-on limitations, particularly in regard to sports equipment.  Finally, be on time to the departure point.  Of course, people inevitably get stuck in traffic or lost (as is particularly the case for new pickup locations), but try to get a sense of where you’re going ahead of time and leave a bit early if necessary.

1. Wish your children an unbelievable,  happy summer.  They’re going to have one!  But knowing you’re supporting them 100% just makes it that much better— particularly for first time campers.  Remind them of all the fun they’re going to have.  Let them know that you can’t wait to hear about it in their letters, and that you’ll be monitoring the camp’s website daily for blogs and photographs in addition to sending them letters and email.