Welcome Booklet Summer 2023

WELCOME BOOKLET SUMMER 2023

“Be Curious, notJudgmental”

Walt Whitman

Thank you for choosing Hermann Sons Life Camp as your summer home. I know you had options, and do appreciate your decision. Choosing to work at a summer camp is easily one of the most selfless acts you can make. The decision to put the wants, needs and desires of the campers and the camp ahead of yours for the summer is a big decision A life-altering decision!

Please understand that working at a camp is not simply a job. It can become a way of life. It encompasses your entire self for the summer. You will be eating, drinking and sleeping summer camp. You will make friends at Hermann Sons Life that will remain your friends and become part of your family for the rest of your life. You will talk about camp, the activities, the kids and the friends you make this summer so much so that your family and friends from home will believe you had joined a cult! (You haven’t)

Living and working at camp is living in an incredible bubble. We are all far removed from the outside world where the evening activity or what’s for dinner are the most important things on your mind!

Working at camp is not easy. In fact, it may be the most difficult job you will ever have! It will test you in ways you cannot possibly imagine.

• You will be physically and mentally exhausted most of the summer.

• You will be expected to have a positive attitude and smile the entire summer.

• You will eat the same meals every week.

• You will have campers test the last nerve available at the end of a long stressful day and you must handle the situation with poise and a positive demeanor

• You will be expected to work hard every day

Please review this packet. Absorb the information. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. I can be reached at ianb@hermannsonslife.org.

Thank you again for choosing to work at Hermann Sons Life Camp.

Ian “Gunner” Brassett Executive Camp Director

Hermann Sons Life Camp

(830) 995.3223 Office (909) 362.9058

Cell/Mobile

ianb@hermannsonslife.org

HERMANN SONS LIFE HISTORY

Hermann Sons Life Camp is owned and operated by Hermann Sons Life, a not for profit fraternal benefit society. One becomes a member of Hermann Sons Life by purchasing a life insurance certificate.

Hermann Sons Life is the largest fraternal benefit society domiciled in only one state and the oldest in the nation. Membership totals almost 70,000 men, women and children who belong to local lodges in more than 135 Texas cities and towns. In addition to the financial security that is available through the various Hermann Sons Life insurance certificates, members share fellowship.

The Order of the Sons of Hermann was founded in Texas in 1860 and has ties to the national organization that began in New York in 1840 and is the oldest fraternal society in the nation. This organization adopted the motto, “Friendship, Love and Loyalty.”

In 1890, the Texas lodges joined together to form the Grand Lodge of the Order of the Sons of Hermann in the State of Texas and in 1921 voted to withdraw from the national group and become its own entity.

Fraternal benefits that had begun with the construction of the Altenheim (Retirement Home) in 1916 continued under the direction of Grand President Carl Biebers (1946 58). The membership supported retirement home is for older members who enjoy this “Castle on the Hill” and the companionship of Hermann Sons Life peers.

Carl Biebers, known as the “Father of the Youth Movement”, not only helped instigate issuance of junior insurance certificates in 1942, he fostered the formation of junior chapters, dance classes and, in 1954, presided over the construction and dedication of a modern summer camp facility. Hermann Sons Youth Camp (Riverside) was established in 1954 with the promise to provide wholesome, fun summer activities for junior members. In 1991 the Hilltop site was built one mile from Riverside.

In 2017, the company was re branded as Hermann Sons Life and the summer camp was re named as Hermann Sons Life Camp. This summer around 2,000 eager campers (ages 9 14) will be attending one of six one week sessions. Camp also offers a Mini Camp session for our 8 and 9 year old Junior Members and also offer a half week Grief Support Session which is conducted in coordination with the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas.

Boys will attend Hilltop and girls will attend Riverside. Campers live in air conditioned dormitories with bunk beds.

There are benefits, in addition to the Camp, that Hermann Sons Life offers to its members. The individual lodges across the State offer camp and college scholarships, social programs and fellowship for their members such as tuition free dance classes for children ages 3 through 17 that are offered in over 30 communities and taught by professional instructors.

HERMANN SONS LIFE IS A FRATERNAL BENEFIT SOCIETY FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY.

The HERMANN SONS LIFE CAMP Mission is to provide a quality, safe and caring summer camp program that develops healthy friendships and enriches the lives of both campers and staff by fostering self esteem and independence through exposure to new experiences, group living and play.

Counseling campers is a tough job. You might get frustrated when the kids aren’t listening. You might feel like all your efforts are wasted and you’re not accomplishing anything. Be assured, your efforts aren’t wasted and you are making a difference.

You’re impacting the kids every minute of the day. It's just not immediately visible! The story below is told in the context of "making a difference" which is what we want our staff to do in the life of each child in their care.

THE STARFISH STORY

Original Story by: Loren Eisley

One morning, after a terrific storm, an old man is walking on the beach and, as the sun is beginning to rise, he sees in front of him, lying on the beach thousands and thousands of starfish that must have washed ashore due to the storm. As far as the eye can see, lay starfish, drying out and surely destined to die in the warming of the morning sun. And so ever so carefully, the old man stoops down and, one by one, begins to toss the starfish back into the sea so that they may survive. As he does this, he is seen by a much younger man who, eyeing the task in front of the old man, simply shakes his head in disbelief.

After a brief period, the younger man approaches the old man and says to him, "Old man, what are you doing? Don't you see that there are literally thousands of starfish washed up on this shore? What you are doing can never make a difference."

The old man, saddened by what he hears, stares straight into the eyes of the younger man. And, then, ever so carefully, he stoops down, picks up one more starfish, and casts it into the sea. He then turns to the younger man and responds,

"To that one - I made a difference."

CAMP IS A FAMILY TRADITION

It will not be unusual for you to greet a camper, their parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles on arrival day… and they all attended Hermann Sons Life Camp! It is a strength of our summer camp.

From this fraternal benefit and deep family roots, grows another strength at Hermann Sons Life Camp which is our CIT program. Our CIT program develops fifteen- and sixteen-year-old campers and grows them into our junior staff members, who become counselors and then our senior staff.

Hermann Sons Life Camp is a family. While many of our team members are former campers who have grown through the CIT and junior staff program, like most Texans, (especially those in the Hill Country), we love meeting new staff members. New staff members help us evolve and grow as a camp. New staff members bring new exciting ideas and energy.

We are excited to meet and greet new staff and look forward to incorporating their culture into camp.

TEXAS HILL COUNTRY & OUR CAMPERS

Our camp, and our campers come predominantly from Texas and the Hill County. Our campers exhibit what I believe (Ian Brassett) is the very best of camper behavior and manners that I have witnessed in more than 30 years of camping!

Our campers, as I mentioned before, look forward to spending their week with us all year long. They love the activities, making new friends, reacquainting with their friends from the previous summer and most of all meeting their counselors. This year more than ever, our campers will be very excited to be here!

Our campers are raised to be respectful and considerate. It’s quite refreshing!

• You will hear lots of pleases and thank yous.

• You will hear a lot of yes sir or yes Ma’am.

• You’ll witness most campers carrying their own luggage by choice!

MEET HERMANN!

Much like Hermann on the left hanging out at Riverside Camp, camp holds many beloved traditions. Many of them you will learn as we go along. Here’s a few a few things to mention.

It’s not about doing the same thing… its about doing the right thing. It’s about doing what’s in the best interest of the camper even if it means our job becomes harder.

RIVERSIDE AND HILLTOP CAMPS

Our camps are single gender camps, known traditionally in camping circles as a brother sister camp. The Riverside camp is home of the original camp (1954) and currently home to our girl’s camp. Hilltop was built much later and home to the boy’s camp. Geographically, between the two camps is Hermann Sons Life’s Retirement Community that houses approx. 30 Hermann Son Life members.

The two camps coordinate and help each other out with staffing activities (challenge, lifeguarding, transportation, CIT programming, etc.) along with Staff Development, which will be held on the Riverside Campus in 2023. Two of the more popular evening activities are also when the two camps gather.

The first gathering is on Tuesday where the boys travel to Riverside and we have a GAME NIGHT. The Game Night allows the boys and girls to socialize and mingle in a non structured, friendly, no pressure environment. This activity will also be hosted by the CITs in 2023.

WE DANCE

The second gathering is the Dance. The campers and staff love to Dance. Our weekly dance is held at Riverside on Thursday night and brings together the Riverside (girls) and Hilltop (boys) camps. There will be time for our new staff to learn the line dances during the staff development week. Don’t panic! Over the course of the summer you will really get to know and love them! Many of the dances you can do even with two left feet.

During the dance, our campers and staff have a blast! I highly recommend you check out our YouTube Channel and subscribe.

Lucky, a former camper and Assistant Director, put together a tutorial (with the help of many of our returning and former staff members) on some of the more popular line dances. Learn them in the comfort and privacy of your home before you trip the light at camp! The link for the line dances is: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRhtPPY88bAaXmk1OjI2KCg

At Hilltop camp, one way we teach our campers the dances is by playing the songs during our meal times. Often counselors will get up and dance and the campers will join in. Still, many of our campers believe that the best part of the dance are the cookies. " # $ %

WE SING

At Riverside especially, singing camp songs throughout the day is a fantastic part of the tradition that is Hermann Sons Life Camp.

Pamela, created some videos of our more popular songs that are sung at camp. If you are a CIT 2, Junior Staff, Returner or coming in brand new to camp, I highly recommend you go to our YouTube channel and learn a few. Here’s the link to the YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRhtPPY88bAaXmk1OjI2KCg

BEADS

For every year of attendance, both campers and staff receive a new colored bead. The Beads will tell your Hermann Sons Life Camp story. Camper beads are plastic. Staff beads are wooden. We’ll tell you more during staff development

We’re here for the campers! Always put their needs and interests ahead of your own.

CAMP NAMES

All of our staff members (Including junior staff) will have Camp Names. During staff development, you will hear many awesome stories on how current staff members got their names. Padre, Kenobi, Shankly, Nimbus, etc. " # $ % Before the campers arrive in camp, all counselors and junior staff will receive a camp name. This helps keep the mystique of the counselor and assists you in keeping a social media distance from the campers. Camp Names can be earned, bestowed or chosen by the individual. They must all be approved by the Camp Director and once you receive a Camp Name, it will live on forever with your campers. The names cannot change during the summer.

BIRTHDAYS

Birthdays are special at Hermann Sons Life Camp. We will be making a big deal about campers (and staff) birthdays.

Before breakfast

• Senior counselors will decorate the camper’s table.

• The birthday is announced on the morning radio show.

At breakfast

• The entire camp will sing a rousing rendition of the birthday song

• We will present the camper with a birthday cookie (and ice cream).

• We will take a photo of the birthday camper and their cabin

• The Assistant Director will email / text the photo to their parents. This is a very difficult day for parents.

If a camper has a birthday on arrival day, we will celebrate the birthday at dinner.

CAMPER OF THE DAY

Every day we will be announcing the “Camper(s) of the Day” for each dorm. We are looking for the most deserving, most helpful, friendliest camper that embodies all aspects of camp. This camper will be acknowledged at one of the meals (TBD). All campers need to know why the individual camper received the award.

CAMPER OF THE WEEK

Each week we will be announcing a “Camper(s) of the Week for each dorm. We are looking for the most deserving, the friendliest campers, the most helpful, kindest, etc. At the end of week ceremony, this camper will be acknowledged and awarded a special orange bead.

COUNSELOR FREE-DINNER / SURVEYS

We truly care about what our campers think about their experience at camp. We will survey them twice each week. As the director of the program I report weekly to the VP of Member Benefits the campers’ survey results. They matter. I read every comment. We evaluate the surveys closely for trends. Campers are the most important group of individuals at camp.

Counselors typically should get 4.75/5.00 averaged throughout the summer. That is our expectation. Do not prompt or beg the kids for 5’s. If you do your job, care about the camper’s safety, their enjoyment and practice active supervision, the scores will reflect that.

If you are here for yourself, go through the motions and do not care the scores will reflect that too.

CAMP STORE

What is your disposition in front of the campers? Are you being positive? Are you complaining? Are you smiling?

How you say something is often more important than what you say! What is your tone?

Each cabin will be scheduled camp store time once a week. You will attend the camp store as a cabin group. Please watch your campers, actively supervise and assist the Camp Store Person in charge if asked. This is not free time!

DAILY SCHEDULE

Okay, so there is not actually such a thing as a typical day in camp. It does not exist. There are however some “parts” of the day that repeat themselves. This next page or two will cover these parts and your responsibilities as a cabin counselor.

DAILY PROGRAM

All staff members are assigned to work 5 periods each day. The activities you will be scheduled will be determined by the camper’s activity and elective choices and your own skills and certifications. Be enthusiastic, punctual and prepared.

The Daily Program will be divided into two parts.

The SPECIALTY Program is the traditional Hermann Sons Life Camp program where the camp schedules each camper three (3) activities which will be consistent throughout the week (Monday through Thursday). The camper selects their six (6) favorite activities before camp begins. Before the camper arrives at camp, our goal will be to give the campers the top 3 activities they chose. Again, this is the traditional way campers have selected their activities.

Some activities will only be available in the SPECIALTY Program. Examples of these activities will be the Challenge Course, Rocketry and Kayaking. The Elective Program is where the campers choose two electives each day. Maybe the campers want to hang out with a new friend or sibling. Perhaps they want to try an elective for the first time. Perhaps they are having a bad day, and simply just want to attend the elective where their favorite counselor is teaching.

The electives will be typical camp offerings but designed to be stand alone, single electives. An example of this would be dance. As an activity, in dance we teach our campers one dance in which they work on every day. As a stand-alone elective we can offer campers a hip hop class, or a line dance class, or a ballet class, etc. With an elective program we can offer our campers manis and pedis on Thursday before the dance. We can run a Magic the Gathering class. We can offer classes that relate to the theme of the week.

Elective offerings can and will be tailored to the campers as well as the individual skills a counselor may bring to the table. Perhaps our campers will want to try rugby, netball or Gaelic football taught by one of our overseas staff members? Perhaps we have a counselor that knows martial arts or one that can juggle.

• What skills do you have that campers would enjoy learning?

If you have any ideas to improve the activities or electives, please let me know at ianb@hermannsonslife.org. Ideas and suggestions are always welcome.

• The elective program will be a little looser than the structured activities program. We will not, as a camp have an exact accounting of where each camper is at any given time. That’s OK. We will know, however, by starting the elective program immediately after a flagpole that each camper is present (attendance taken by their dorm counselors). At the end of each elective program is a meal in which there will be a head count.

PARTICIPATION

Let’s encourage campers to try new electives perhaps they’ve never done before. Children often do not like a particular activity because they have never tried the activity. We are here to teach each child and expose him/her to new activities. Watch out for campers who get “left out.” Our daily program is designed for our campers to PLAY and have FUN. That is our focus.

• Campers will mirror their counselor’s enthusiasm for an activity. Counselors are the key to a successful program. You must participate and you must encourage your campers to participate. This will help them get the most out of their stay in camp.

• Always start an activity or sport by doing a brief warm up.

• Create opportunities to ensure success by starting with small achievements and building up to more difficult skills. Campers will develop self confidence as they achieve success.

• Every activity should be FUN. Play the game! All campers should be involved.

• Avoid sarcasm! Children often don’t understand it and are often hurt when it is used. Encourage slow learners and help them whenever possible; however, don’t hold back a group because of one individual.

• Never let a group make fun of a child if he/ she cannot master a skill. Competition is important for children to understand; however, it is not so important that it creates hard feelings between individuals and groups.

CLEAN FOR ICE CREAM

Hermann Sons Life Camp’s maintenance staff will refill the sanitizer and restock the paper products on a daily basis. One of the chores on a daily basis for our counselors is to clean, disinfect and mop the bathrooms.

We do not expect you to pick up after the campers and other staff. Campers and counselors are required to do their part to keep the cabin clean. This is where Clean for Ice Cream comes in. There should be no items strewn across the bathroom. A few examples of the chores that campers and staff should expect to perform daily are sweeping, making their bed, taking out the trash, etc.

ICE CREAM SANDWICHES WILL BE GIVEN TO THE CLEANEST CABINS AT LUNCH ON FRIDAY!

Some TIPS on cabin clean up…

• Don’t yell and scream at the campers. It does no good. Talk calmly to the campers.

• Lead by example. Make your bed, then you can work with the campers on their areas.

• Help campers that may require assistance. If you

are in a cabin of younger campers the responsibility is on you to do most of the work.

• Use a job chart.

• Leave as a cabin group to activities.

• Sunscreen? Water bottles? Dressed appropriately for their activities?

FLAGPOLE

Like many (if not most) camps in the United States, we gather around the flagpole in the morning and afternoon to raise and lower the American flag. At Hermann Sons Life we also raise and lower the Texas state flag.

We repeat the Pledge of Allegiance and the Texas Pledge every morning. While you are not required to say the pledge, we do expect all campers and staff to be respectful during the flag raising and lowering by standing quietly facing the flag and taking off your hats!

The Pledge of Allegiance is I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Texas State flag is “Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible."

REST PERIOD

Texas is hot! Very hot! It is critically important that both campers and staff take full advantage of rest period. It is incredibly important to give the campers and staff the opportunity to recharge their batteries. While two staff members must always be awake with the campers during rest period, some staff will be scheduled free time. It’s totally ok for those campers to have some shut eye while the staff working the dorm supervise the campers.

We are all responsible and accountable for our words and actions.

ACTIVE SUPERVISION

Relaxation and rest period is an incredible opportunity for you to “hang out” with your campers. Get to know them. Ask questions. Be interested in them and their experience at camp. If you are not, scheduled “time off” then you are working. This is not the time to be sleeping, wearing your i pod, hanging out with your co counselor or simply zoning out you are to be actively supervising the campers in your care.

Relaxation and Rest Period (unstructured cabin time), statistically in camping, is the most dangerous time on camp. It is the camper’s rest period not yours. Campers many years from now will remember the counselors with great affection that braided their hair, or simply sat next to them and talked with them. This is where the counselor’s true value and greatest impact on the life of a child happens. During each session, a senior counselor/ director may ask to speak with your campers alone (a little bonus free time). We are constantly evaluating our program and this time spent with your campers provides valuable feedback on our electives, scheduling and, of course, our counselors. These discussions usually directly affect counselor evaluations and counselor of the session nominations.

Five minutes before the electives are scheduled to begin again, have your campers ready to leave the cabin.

RULE OF THREE

No staff member should ever be alone with a camper where others cannot see. This does not mean you cannot be at an activity (i.e. Gaga) alone with 15 campers. It means if you need to chat with a camper, you take them on the porch (where there is no expectation of privacy) rather than in the counselor room. It means you can enter the dorm with a bunch of campers but should never be 1:1 with a camper in a dorm.

FANCY FRIDAYS

Friday is the last full day at Camp. Counselors want to help the campers “blow their socks off” and finish the week with a bang!

Fridays are special at Hermann Sons Life Camp. On Thursday Night we extend curfew to allow our campers to spend more time at the dance. To give the campers a chance to rest up, we have a Late Day on Fridays where we wake up an hour later.

We’ll have a PJ Breakfast and then have two morning activity periods where campers can possibly earn points for their team (Blue or Red) or they can simply hang out with their new lifelong friends at Gaga, the pool or lawn games (Bocce Ball, Bucket Ball, Giant Checkers, Giant Connect 4, Corn Hole, Horse Shoes, Giant Jenga, Ladder Toss and more!).

After lunch and the afternoon rest period, we’ll play some water games and “Minute To Win It” style games with a big water balloon fight to wrap up an awesome afternoon.

EVENING ACTIVITIES

The highlight of the day for many campers is the evening activity. Counselors are expected to be actively involved in the evening activity and will be given an assignment by the Program Assistants.

Evening activities change each week. As previously mentioned there will be two activities that are the cornerstones of the week. Game Night and the Dance.

Hosting for these two activities are shared by the camps.

We do not expect to see campers standing outside the dorm waiting for everyone to show up before entering.

Enthusiasm is key. Participation is important. Counselors are expected to dress up if there is a theme and participate in competitions during the nightly activities. Campers love seeing their counselors participating and having fun. It allows them the freedom to join in. If their counselor is dressing up for the theme of the dance, they are much more likely to dress up.

Like all activities at camp the dorm counselors are critical to the success of the summer. It does not matter who the director is. If the counselors are having fun and invest their energy and care for the campers the kids will leave camp having the best time. The dorm counselors are the most important piece of the summer camp puzzle.

2023 WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Skill Development

5/26 6/2

WEEKLY DANCE THEMES

LG Classes, FA/CPR, Challenge

O/S Begin Work 5/28

Hawaiian Hullabaloo

Airport 5/24 5/27 Staff Development 6/3 6/10 Mini Camp or Group Rental 6/6/23 6/9/23

Open House / Company Picnic June 10 9:00am 1:00pm Week #1 CIT 2 6/11 6/17 Neon Week #2 CIT 2 6/18 6/24

Mardi Gras Week #3 CIT 2 6/25 7/1 Hogwarts Express Week #4 Possible MC, Possible Grief, Possible Co Ed camp 7/2 7/8

Stars and Stripes Week #4 CIT 1 7/9 7/15

Super Heroes Week #5 CIT 1 7/16 7/22

Animal Planet Week #6 CIT 1 7/23 7/29

Fiesta! 7/31 8/5

Grief Support Camp

Post Camp / Pack Down Second Mini Camp

O/S End 8/5/23 Airport 8/6 8/9

TIME SCHEDULE

7:30

7:50 Group A Eat (4 dorms)

8:30

8:40 Group B Eat (4 dorms)

9:30am 10:15am

10:20am 11:05am

RIVERSIDE SCHEDULE

Wake Up

Group B Clean for Ice Cream

FLAGPOLE

Group A Clean for Ice Cream

ACTIVITY ONE

ACTIVITY TWO

11:05am 11:15am Punch Break

11:15am 12:00pm

ACTIVITY THREE

12:10pm 12:55pm Lunch Group A Group B Canteen or Relaxation in Dorm

12:55pm 1:35pm Lunch Group B Group A Canteen or Relaxation in Dorm

1:35pm 2:50pm Rest Period

2:50pm 3:50pm

3:50pm 4:00pm

4:00pm 5:00pm

5:15pm 6:00pm Dinner Group A

6:00pm 6:45pm Dinner Group B

7:00pm 8:45pm

8:45pm 9:00pm

9:00pm 10:00pm

ELECTIVE ONE

Snack Break

ELECTIVE TWO

Group B Prepare for EA

Group A Prepare for EA

FLAGPOLE FOLLOWED BY EVENING ACTIVITY

Snack

Friendship Circles and Showers

10:00pm Curfew

TIME SCHEDULE

HILLTOP SCHEDULE

7:45am Wake Up 8:00am Breakfast

9:00am

Clean for Ice Cream 9:15am Flagpole

9:30am 10:40am

ELECTIVE ONE

PUNCH BREAK 10:55am 12:05pm ELECTIVE TWO 12:10pm 1:00pm Lunch 1:00pm 1:35pm Relaxation in Dorm 1:35pm 2:50pm Rest Period 2:50pm 3:35pm

10:40am 10:55am

ACTIVITY ONE 3:35pm 3:45pm Snack Break 3:50pm 4:35pm

ACTIVITY TWO 4:40pm 5:25pm ACTIVITY THREE 5:30pm 6:30pm Dinner Group B 6:30pm 8:45pm

FLAGPOLE FOLLOWED BY EVENING ACTIVITY

8:45pm 9:00pm Snack 9:00pm 10:00pm

Friendship Circles and Showers 10:00pm Curfew

TAPS

Each night, at the end of the evening activity, each camp gathers and perform Taps. It’s an awesome way of calming the campers down before heading back to the dorms for the friendship circles, showers and bed. Many of you will have heard Taps before on the trumpet. These are the words. At the end of Taps, the Lord’s Prayer is said. Much like the pledge of allegiance, you do not need to sing Taps or say the Lord’s Prayer, however, please be respectful for those of us who do.

Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lakes, From the hills, From the sky All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh

Thanks and praise, For our days. 'Neath the sun, 'Neath the stars, 'Neath the sky, As we go, This we know, God is nigh

GRATEFUL (FRIENDSHIP) CIRCLES / LIGHTS-OUT

After Taps we head back to the dorms. Before entering the dorm, we gather in a circle (or small circles) and say one thing we are grateful for from the day. Using a calm voice, setting the standard we expect respect for everyone in the circle. Before breaking the circle lay out the expectations for the shower time and lights out.

We all have curfews. This can be the hardest part of the day for a counselor. You will be tired and your patience has worn thin. The light out times and curfews are in place to help everyone get through a long summer. You’ll thank us in the long run! Some tips on getting your campers to bed at a reasonable time…

• Be consistent with your co counselors. No one benefits from a different set of rules being enforced by each counselor.

• Establish rules the first night and follow them.

• Do not sit on your bed with your headphones on, writing a letter and yelling for quiet and think you are doing your job! You’re not. Walk around the cabin

when you are trying to settle the campers down. Use their names. Acknowledge when the campers are quiet with a quiet “thank you and good night”.

• Never leave the cabin unsupervised.

• Do any of your campers need to take evening meds?

TIME-OFF CALENDAR

2023 STAFF TIME-OFF SCHEDULE

One Two Three Four FIVE

SUNDAY ALL STAFF ARE ON DUTY BEGINNING AT 11:00AM

MONDAY OFF OFF Rest Period Lights Out Rest Period Lights Out

TUESDAY Lights Out OFF-OFF Rest Period Lights Out Rest Period

WEDNESDAY Rest Period Lights Out OFF OFF Rest Period Lights Out

THURSDAY Lights Out Rest Period Lights Out OFF OFF Rest Period

FRIDAY Rest Period Lights Out Rest Period Lights Out OFF-OFF*

SATURDAY

ALL STAFF RELEASED NO LATER THAN 1:00PM

OFF OFF 5:30PM* 12:00AM

Sat Sun Min. 22 hours

Rest Period 1 hour 15 minutes

Lights Out 2 hours

FRIDAY OFF OFF 7:00PM 12:30PM

Counselors are divided into a possible five duty groups. Any requests must be made before Friday of the preceding week. Once the schedule has been established, only the Camp Director can change the schedule. Staff preferences are taken into account when the schedules are prepared, however the needs of the campers (and camp) are paramount when scheduling time off. For example, we do not need lifeguards to operate the Dance and Game Night. We will need lifeguards to operate brown bag activities and so on. If you wish to work in the same dorm as your friend, you will not be able to have the same time off schedule. * Off Offs begin after the off off counselor has delivered their dorms mail to the campers in the dining hall. Counselors failing to deliver the mail on the day of their off-off will forfeit their next off-off period.

WIFI is available to all staff in both the Hilltop and Riverside staff lounges and Private Dining

Private Dining on Hilltop is to be used as a staff lounge for both Riverside and Hilltop staff during the Lights Off, Off Off evening times as well as weekend. This lounge will be considered a quiet lounge where staff can utilize the WIFI for online classes and study. It is also conveniently located near the staff laundry room. When the camp upgraded the Riverside septic system in 2020, we were required to lose the staff laundry facility on Riverside. The laundry facility on Hilltop is available for use by the Riverside and Hilltop counselors.

THE HILL COUNTRY

Hermann Sons Life Camp is located in the beautiful Hill Country which provides our overseas staff to explore an incredibly unique part of the United States. A few ideas are listed below.

SUGGESTED CLOTHING LIST

• At least 6 each of shirts, shorts, socks and underwear

• Swimsuit

• Light jacket

• Hat or cap

• Pajamas

• 2 sets of single sheets, pillow with case

• Blanket or sleeping bag

• 2 towels and wash cloths

• Swim towel

• Laundry bag (Washing machines and detergent are provided by camp)

• Toiletry items (soap, shampoo, toothbrush and paste, etc.)

• Sunscreen and lip balm

• Something to wear to the Camp dance. See themes listed above.

• Tennis shoes

• Shower shoes

• Sturdy sandals

• Sunglasses

• Black or Navy Blue athletic shorts for Sat/Sun. (Nikes are OK)

• Camping Chair

• Watch

• Flashlight (Torch)

• Jeans (For OLS activity)

Please note: Camp provides all sporting equipment. Every staff member will receive a Hermann Sons Life Camp water bottle upon arrival. Camp assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to personal items

CAMP APP

In the spring, we will be asking that our staff download our Camp App. This app will be utilized for emergency communications, posting photos, scheduling, and so much more. MORE LATER.

WHAT’S NEXT?

• Health Form: Please mail to P.O. Box 629, Comfort, TX 78012. (EMAILED FEBRUARY)

• Have you added Ian Brassett and Hermann Sons Life Camp to your contact list on your phone? (909) 362 9058 (Cell) (830) 995.3223 (CAMP)

• Have you subscribed to our Camp App?

• Have you added ianb@hermannsonslife to your e mail white list?

• Are you subscribed to our YouTube Account?

• Can you Make the Volunteer Work Day? April 22, 2023.

• Join in our Zoom meetings prior to camp.

• DO you have 3 reference forms completed? This is for all new staff.

• W 4s (EMAILED FEBRUARY)

• I 9’s will be done at camp

• Have you read the Welcome Booklet?

• Have you read the staff Manual? (Published in April)

THE HERMANN SONS LIFE CAMP STAFF CREED

CUSTOMER FIRST

We provide the highest level of service to all customers.

o We provide accurate, unbiased and courteous responses to all guests

o Customers eat first

o We are a trash free environment

o Phone answered before the 2nd ring with a happy tone of voice

PROFESSIONALISM

Hermann Sons Life Camp expects a professional approach at all times. The criteria for professionalism include:

o Emotional maturity

o Recognition of the seriousness of the position.

o Ability to defer personal matters in favor of the customers.

o Positive interpersonal communication.

o Ability to assume authority when necessary.

o Tolerance for stress and the ability to handle emergencies.

o Ability to provide for an individual’s need in a

PERSONAL GROWTH

group setting.

o Professional in appearance.

o Professional in attendance.

o Represent yourself professionally when wearing camp clothing.

o Respect supplies and equipment.

o Leave a clean work area at the end of the day/ project.

We strive for excellence in the profession by maintaining and enhancing our own knowledge and skills, by encouraging the professional development of co workers, and by fostering the aspirations of potential members of the profession.

POSITIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT

o We treat co workers and other colleagues with respect, dignity, fairness and good faith.

o We advocate conditions of employment that safeguard the rights and welfare of all employees.

o There is no acceptable alternative to honesty.

o No harassment or discrimination.

o Drug and smoke free work environment.

o Clean Communication: All individual companies work to one goal be successful. Issues and situations may arise that cause negative feeling between individuals and companies. These should be discussed openly and freely between department heads. Gossip and negativity have never solved a problem.

PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY

We will all be held accountable for our actions and choice.

AMERICAN CAMP ASSOCIATION

Accreditation is an educational process of self examination and peer review. American Camp Association accreditation is just one more example of our Camp’s continuing desire to provide our children and staff with a safe and memorable camping experience. to the highest standards established for the camping industry. Although there are many state and federal laws and regulations that address basic safety concerns, ACA standards go a step further in addressing specific areas of the camp program. ACA camps have met or exceeded nearly 300 standards evaluating camp’s site and food service, transportation, health and wellness, operational management, human resources, program design and activities, aquatics, and other professional practices.

As part of the accreditation process, at least once every five years teams of two or more trained camp professionals, known as visitors, observe Camp’s operation while in session and compare its practices with the standards of the industry. There are many benefits to being an ACA accredited camp. The accreditation process sets a format for continuing the high standards of Camp even though leadership may change. Through arrangements with private carriers, property, casualty, and liability insurance is available at a discount for accredited camps. Parents often look for the ACA logo when choosing a summer camp for their children. Hermann Sons Life is one of the few fraternal benefit societies to operate a residential youth camp as a benefit to its members and their communities. The commitment to quality programming is evident through its long time accreditation through the American Camp.

See