2019 Camp Staff Manual

2019 STAFF MANUAL Thank you for choosing to work at Hermann Sons Life Camp!

Working at a summer camp is not an easy decision! You have chosen to place the needs and wants of others ahead of your own.

Because of your positive attitude and personal skills we’re delighted to have you as a member of our staff. We will do our very best to provide the necessary training, support and encouragement you will need to meet the challenges facing you.

The over-arching theme to camp this summer is BE THE NICE KID. This is expanding on the Choose Kind theme in 2018.

Summer camp allows us the opportunity to show campers that they are important and that they have a big part to play in society. Camp has a unique ability to allow campers to be themselves. To show that it’s okay to be a little wacky. To show them it’s okay to sing at meals. To dress up for the evening activity. To try new activities and fail in a safe and caring environment. To make new friends with kids and staff who are different.

BE THE NICE KID! Some kids are smarter than you, Some kids have cooler clothes than you, Some kids are better at sports than you.

IT DOESN’T MATTER You have your thing too.

Be the kid who can get along, Be the kid who is generous, Be the kid who is happy for others, Be the kid who does the right thing…

BE THE NICE KID!

By Bryan Shavnak

This manual is designed to acquaint you with the program and policies of Hermann Sons Life Camp. As a staff member you will be responsible for its contents. A reference copy will be available to you at Camp. Should any material in this manual be unclear, direct your questions to the Executive Camp Director or your immediate supervisor.

Ian “Gunner” Brassett

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 1861 by members of the national organization that began in New York in 1840.

This organization original motto was “Friendship, Love and Loyalty” and it remains the guiding principal for everything the organization does.

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 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 promote the issuance of junior insurance certificates in 1942, he also 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 Life 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.

This summer around 3,000 eager campers (ages 9-13) will be attending one of six oneweek sessions. Camp also offers a Grief Support Session which is a half-week.

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 offer social programs and fellowship for their members. Tuition-free dance classes for children ages 3 through 17 are offered in more than 30 communities and taught by professional instructors.

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.

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2019 Staff Manual Guide to Counseling

EXPECTATIONS EXPECTATIONS

Everything we do at Hermann Sons Life Camp is built around the premise of Everything we do at Hermann Sons Life Camp is built around the premise of “What is“what in theis best of the campers? ” in theinterest best interest of the campers?”

We hire the best staff. We operate our elective activities in the safest possible manner.

We hire staff. Weinoperate our elective activities in the possible manner.

Wewant to We the willbest be ruthless the standards we set for our staffsafest and ourselves…

But we will be ruthless in the standards we set for our staff and ourselves… But we want to have have FUN! FUN! Our counselors have a lot to live up to when it comes to giving the campers the best Our counselors have a lot to live up to when it comes to giving the campers the best possible summer camp experience. Our campers will come to expect more than just a possible summer camp experience. Our campers will come to expect more than just a regular camp experience. Hermann Sons Life Camp is home away from home. regular camp experience. Hermann Sons Life Camp is home away from home.

What are these high expectations? Who will be judging us? As a counselor, you are What are these high expectations? Who will be judging us? As a counselor, you are evaluated throughout the summer. You are evaluated by 4 different bodies: evaluated throughout the summer. You are evaluated by four different groups:

By the Camp and Directors

• • The The campers campers • By the•Camp Directors by and by • The parents of the campers • The Activity Supervisors.

• The parents of the campers • The Activity Supervisors.

The Campers Campers will The will evaluate evaluatethe thesummer summer camp camp program every week.

During program every week. During our dinner staff our dinner staff meeting on Friday meeting on Friday evening, our campers will evening, our campers will experience a experience a counselor-free meal. During this counselor-free meal.

During this meal meal they will complete a survey. Scoring their they will complete a survey. will They experience at Hermann Sons They Life Camp. be scoring their experience at Hermann will be asked their opinion on the activities, the Sons Life Theyactivities, will be asked food, theCamp. evening theirtheir counselors opinion on the activities, the food, the and their overall camp experience. evening activities, their counselors and My promise theexperience. campers is that only three their overall to camp people read these surveys! Myself and the My promise to the campers is that only Directors of both the Riverside and Hilltop three people read these surveys! Myself camps. and the Directors of both the Riverside This nothing to be afraid of! Be yourself. Do and is Hilltop camps. your job and you have nothing to fear from This is nothing to be afraid of! Be these surveys. These surveys in the past have yourself. Do your job and you have really helped the programs I have directed nothing to fear from these surveys. improve significantly. And helped ensure that These surveys in the past have really the counselors are placed in and with the right helped the programs I have directed age-group. improve significantly. And helped ensure that the counselors are placed in and with the rightThe ageparents group. of our campers will also get their say. One week after the camper (and CIT-1 and CIT-2) have left Hermann Sons Life Camp, we will send each parent a survey monkey The parents of our campers will also getmirrors their say.

One week after the (and CIT-1 In the questionnaire.

This questionnaire the questionnaire thecamper campers receive. and CIT-2) have left Hermann Sons these Life Camp, we the will results send each parentmirror a Survey Monkey past camps I have conducted surveys, typically closely results from questionnaire.

ThisCampers questionnaire mirrors theeverything. questionnaire the campers receive. In the the campers. tell their parents past camps where I have conducted these surveys, the results typically mirror closely Thefrom Camp be evaluating performance results theDirectors campers.will Campers tell their your parents everything.and work within the cabin. Are you an effective counselor? Do you put the campers needs ahead of your own? Are you 2019 practicing Staff Manual“Active Guide toSupervision?”

Counseling 3 can be Are you a good co-counselor? This evaluationPage form

improve significantly. And helped ensure that the counselors are placed in and with the right age group.

The parents of our campers will also get their say. One week after the camper (and CIT-1 and CIT-2) have left Hermann Sons Life Camp, we will send each parent a Survey Monkey questionnaire. This questionnaire mirrors the questionnaire the campers receive. In the past camps where I have conducted these surveys, the results typically mirror closely results from the campers. Campers tell their parents everything.

The Camp Directors will be evaluating your performance and work within the cabin. Are you an effective counselor? Do you put the campers’ needs ahead of your own? Are you practicing “Active Supervision?” Are you a good co-counselor? This evaluation form can be found in the Administrative Policies section of the manual.

Activity Supervisors and Upper Staff will also be evaluating you at the activity sites. As an ACA accredited camp it is imperative that we constantly supervise the activity sites to insure that the standard of instruction and safety is the highest possible in the camping industry.

Are we following the activity rules and regulations? Are we conducting safety speeches?

Are we starting the activities on time? Are the campers all involved in the activity? Are the campers having fun? This evaluation can also be found in the Administrative Policies of the manual.

This will be the hardest job you will ever have. Our expectations for our staff are in line with the expectations of the campers and their parents. We will work with each of our staff members to get their performance level to where it needs to be.

I do not expect perfection. I do, however, expect perfect intentions.

If you are working hard, putting the campers’ needs first and following the rules and regulations… you will succeed. You will grow as an individual. You will learn more about yourself and your capabilities than you have ever known before.

AMERICAN CAMP ASSOCIATION Accreditation is an educational process of selfexamination and peer review. ACA camps are committed 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

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2019 Staff Manual Guide to Counseling

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 Association. 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.

2019 Staff Manual Guide to Counseling

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A PROFESSIONAL CAMP COUNSELOR ALWAYS… •

• • •

Respects the campers. They are the most important people in camp.

Practices “Active Supervision.”

Displays a positive attitude.

Is a positive role model.

Role Model: The behavior expected

• Manners, please and thank you.

• Punctuality

• Dress appropriately for activities

and evening events, etc.,

• Follow established cabin rules.

• If it’s “do as I say,” it also has to be

“do as I do.”

• Learns and uses each camper’s name.

• Do not nickname the campers. One trick

to remembering a camper’s name is to repeat it back to them once they have introduced themselves.

•

•

•

listens, not only to words, but to the feelings of the camper. “Squat with tots, lean with teens.”

Reinforce by repeating what you have heard and your understanding.

Also ask the campers to repeat back to you what you said or asked for or just instructed taking care to do this in a way that does not humiliate them in front of other children.

Ask open-ended questions. This helps the camper to solve their problem, or arrive at the “right” conclusion.

• LISTENS! • Gets down to the camper’s level and

• Is consistent in the application of rules.

• Treat all campers the same.

• Do not correct a co-counselor in front of the campers. Address them in private.

• Uses mistakes as opportunities to learn. Don’t make the camper feel that his mistakes are sins.

•

•

•

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Focus on the behavior not the essence of the camper. Never make the camper feel small or inconsequential.

Sarcastic humor won’t endear you to the campers and won’t get them to do what you want.

Don’t correct the camper in front of other campers if possible.

•

Don’t ever think that it is beneath your dignity to apologize to the camper.

•

•

•

Allow 3-5 minute warning. Use countdowns.

Problem with tardiness? Always late?

Set the alarm clock forward 5 minutes.

Allow or build in extra time

•

•

Use the same phrases and order of events for clean-up and similar kinds of activities. Realize that experience is 10 times more effective than words.

Be as “concrete” as possible.

• Allows for transitions:

• Keeps instructions simple.

• Gives immediate, positive feedback.

• Be specific with praise.

• Don’t let your praise lose its quality

and value.

• Build your camper’s self-esteem.

• Catch the camper doing something right!

• Genuine praise, a “pat on the back”

or a “high five,” is a great boost to a

camper in building self- confidence.

• Be free, but genuine with your praise.

• Allows “down time” for campers to decompress.

•

•

Prompt them to do so.

Don’t expect campers to do this on their own.

•

Hand on shoulder, upper arm, upper back, even holding a younger child’s hand.

• Uses touch when talking or instructing campers.

• Anticipates

• Observe which times are most stressful

for your campers (e.g., cabin clean-up,

rest hour, evening, getting ready for bed)

• Build strategies to deal with or get e

xtra help during those times.

• Encourages campers to participate.

•

•

•

Participation is itself a great reward.

Recognition of success that follows will be an even greater reward.

Everyone can be successful at something; you can put that “something” within reach of every camper.

• Knows exactly where each of their campers are, and who they are with.

2019 Staff Manual Guide to Counseling

AN UN-PROFESSIONAL CAMP COUNSELOR… • Congregates and socializes with co-counselors.

•

•

Planning for nights-off and days-off takes precedent over actively supervising the campers and the campers’ best interests.

Feels that the campers are an intrusion on their summer!

• Discusses personal problems or experiences in front of campers.

• •

Gossips with campers regarding other staff and personal relationships.

Discretion and private are two words not in their vocabulary.

• Encourages campers to “do as I say” while breaking the rules.

• Hangs-out with their favorite campers.

• Takes great pleasure in labeling the bad kids, and does not care who knows about it.

• Constant Complaining

• • • •

Sets their world right by explaining in great detail about how bad things are.

Explains to people who cannot make change how they would run the camp differently.

Does not use the chain of command.

Never asks for help!

• Does not learn their camper’s names and does not show any sign of interest in knowing the campers as individuals.

• Believes in the “Lord of the Flies” mentality.

•

•

In 1954, William Holding wrote this classic book. I highly recommend you read this book.

The Lord of the Flies is basically where a counselor allows campers to govern themselves rather than practicing ACTIVE SUPERVISION.

• Brings their own food to Camp dining hall “because the food here sucks”.

• Upon the camper’s arrival, explains that they can do what they want as long as they don’t get caught and don’t disturb them while they are sleeping.

• Uses threats, poor language, their size and sarcasm as management tools.

• Succumbs to “Regressive Pull.”

•

What this means is that a staff person’s group pulls his maturity level backwards especially with older kids. Staff are more tempted to push the limits to impress their group and gain their acceptance. This is especially true if the counselor and group are close in age.

• Repositions safety equipment or staff to make things easier, without thinking about the consequences.

• Disregards and/or disrespects their supervisor.

• Does not ask questions or ask for help.

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WHAT MAKES HERMANN SONS LIFE UNIQUE? BIRTHDAYS

Birthdays are special at Hermann Sons Life Camp. We will be making a big deal about camper (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 cabin. We are looking for the most deserving, most helpful, friendliest camper that embodies all aspects of camp.

This camper will be acknowledged at lunch.

The Senior Counselor or counselor need to announce why the camper deserves the award.

These campers should have their photo taken.

CAMPER OF THE WEEK

Each week we will be announcing a “Camper(s) of the Specialty.” This does not mean “who is the best?” We are looking for the most deserving, the hardest worker, and the most helpful. This camper will be acknowledged at the Saturday Showcase, and awarded a special bead.

COUNSELOR-FREE DINNER

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 Vice President of Member Benefits the 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 my

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expectation. DO NOT PROMPT (beg the kids) for 5’s. If you do your job, care about the camper’s safety and enjoyment and practice active supervision, the scores will reflect that.

If you are here and do not care – the scores will reflect that also.

PARTICIPATION

Campers must attend an activity each period.

Non-attendance is not an option. Hanging out in a cabin is certainly not an option.

Our goal is to encourage campers to try activities they have never done before. Children often do not like a particular activity because they have never been taught the skills involved. We are here to teach each child and expose him/her to as much as possible. Watch out for campers who get “left out.” These few should be made to feel a part of the group in spite of any lack of ability.

•

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 get the most out of their stay in Camp.

INSTRUCTION

Never assume any boy or girl can perform a skill. Always start an activity or sport by doing a warm-up and brief skill assessment.

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. In addition, no one will be embarrassed if he/she does not know a skill. All those who do know the skill will be happy to help you instruct while they review. Coordination and skill are gained by participation; therefore encourage campers to do so.

Avoid sarcasm! Kids 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. Contact the director if it becomes difficult for a boy or girl to keep up. Competition is important for children to understand; however, it is not so important that it creates hard feelings between individuals and groups.

2019 Staff Manual Guide to Counseling

TOP 21 THINGS CAMPERS SAY THEIR FAVORITE COUNSELORS DO AT CAMP This survey was done on the feedback of campers from multiple camps through the American Camp Association.

1. Spend time with them even when they don’t have to.

2. Sit and talk with them, taking an interest in what they say (listen)!

3. Discipline with respect (take them aside when possible, avoid teasing, avoid humiliating them).

4. Sing, laugh or talk with them on the way from place to place.

5. Think up fun or crazy things to do with them.

6. Are actively involved in camper activities. (Cheer! Play! Encourage!)

7. Are enthusiastic - they focus on the positive.

8. Role model the expected behavior. Show them. Help them. Assist younger campers with their towels and clothes. Drink water at the dining table. Wake up on time.

9. Participate in clean up.

10. Read to them at night.

11. Make sure children go to bed having been listened to/validated.

12. Stay in the bunk until the last problem is solved.

13. Will wait 10 minutes when a friend (peer) needs the time to help a camper.

14. Get up out of bed to get the kids up in the morning.

15. Make sure kids all have food before they start to eat.

16. Give kids choices (within reasonable limits).

17. Often place themselves in the middle of a group of campers. Use inventive or creative ways to help each camper be part of the group.

18. Tell them when they are going on a day off and when they will be back again.

19. Address them by their first names.

20. Praise the group. Be specific in your praise.

21. SMILE A LOT. J

2019 Staff Manual Guide to Counseling

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RESPONSIBILITIES OF A CABIN COUNSELOR (In Loco parentis) “In loco parentis” is Latin for “in the place of a parent.” This is the legal doctrine under which an individual assumes parental rights, duties and obligations without going through the formalities of legal adoption.

Being a cabin counselor is a huge job, but there is a reason you were chosen as capable of mastering this task. The following are a list of responsibilities as the Cabin Counselor. This list will help you guide the children towards an exciting, memorable and safe adventure at HERMANN SONS LIFE CAMP! •

Upon the campers’ first time entering the cabin have a “Cabin Members Meeting.”

CREATE the cabin rules together and allow campers time to ask questions about anything they don’t understand. (See Cabin Rules)

•

Give a tour to show them where all the bathrooms, showers and shelving for personal possessions are. Also, ask if anyone needs to use the facilities before sitting as a group to cover the rules and learn every campers name.

•

Explain the schedule. Be aware of what activities your campers have chosen to ensure that they are prepared. For example: make sure they have sunscreen, lip balm, carry a full water bottle, wear appropriate footwear, have a bathing suit, if needed, etc. LEAD BY EXAMPLE.

•

At meal line-ups, be early so you can participate in the songs. Remember to have fun, too. If the kids see that you are participating and having fun they are likely to do the same.

Ask them open questions about their morning or afternoon activities! LEAD BY EXAMPLE.

•

Sit with your cabin at all meals (Hilltop and youngest two cabins on Riverside). Enjoy conversation and get to know each member of your group. Also make sure they stay seated, are reasonably quiet, maintain respect for other tables, listen when group announcements are made and clean up.

•

Always be present both mentally and physically with your cabin during free time.

“Active supervision!”

•

To prevent the kids from becoming homesick, keep them active. Do not let them just sit around during free-time. Play games, tell jokes or riddles or go on a short hike. Active supervision should prevent any potential harassment between campers. Should this occur contact Administration immediately.

HERMANN SONS LIFE CAMP does not tolerate disrespect between campers.

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•

Prevent discipline problems by being clear and fair with the entire group. See the attached behavior contract to be clear of rules and regulations for campers and report any violations to Administration. Be as clear as possible when filling out a behavior action form.

• Resolve disagreements before they become a serious issue. Discuss the problem with the kids and see if they can come up with reasonable solutions of any dispute.

• Remind the kids to brush their teeth and they must SHOWER EVERYDAY! EVERY child must follow this guideline.Please talk with Administration if a child refuses to shower.

Note: Campers are not allowed to shower in the cabin together, not even in bathing suits.

•

Turn lights out on-time or early.

•

Wake up no later than 7:45am. Please do not be late for breakfast.

•

Encourage the kids to conserve water by taking shorter showers and by not letting the water run while they are brushing their teeth.

•

Turn all lights off (except the outside light at night) when you leave the cabin.

•

Ensure windows and doors are shut when not in use.

•

Keep the thermostat at 74 degrees.

•

Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you are frustrated or just need a quick five-minute reliever. Notify the Administration Team of any inappropriate (camper or staff) behavior or when you need any help with a homesick child or any illness that may occur.

•

Never leave a cabin group alone.

•

Have FUN!

2019 Staff Manual Guide to Counseling

GUIDELINES FOR CAMPER INTERACTION • It is the duty of each counselor to provide the best instruction and leadership through knowledge, understanding, and applied ability.

• The camper’s and Camp’s best interests are kept in mind.

• Do not discuss personal problems or experiences in front of any campers. Do not discuss other staff and personal relationships in front of campers.

• Remember, your example is what the campers will follow. Always be a role model.

• Encourage campers to participate; participation is itself a great reward. Recognition of success that follows will be an even greater reward. Everyone can be successful at something; you can put that “something” within reach of every camper.

• Counselors should ALWAYS follow the bathing suit rule. A staff member should never touch a camper in any area of their body that is or could be covered by a bathing suit.

• Genuine praise, a “pat on the back” or a “high five” is a great boost to a camper in building self- confidence. Be free, but genuine with your praise.

• Children are praised less frequently when they do things right (as opposed to criticism when they do it wrong). Recognize positive moments.

• Catch the campers doing something right every day.

• People judge our program by what they see. A well-organized activity can have a very positive impact.

•

Remember, we are constantly in the public view, both on and off-property.

• Never discuss a camper with anyone other than involved staff members or administrative staff. Discuss problems discreetly and privately. Be careful when referring to campers in public places; never use their last names.

• Be professional at all times with regard to your job.

• If anything out of the ordinary occurs, discuss it with the Director so as to avoid misunderstandings and exaggerations. Always fill out an incident report form.

• Be constantly aware of each camper as an individual and know his/her interests. Do not let him/her get lost in the group, but make them feel a part of it. Refer any serious problems to the Director.

• Public relations are an important part of our job. Go out of your way to be courteous to everyone with whom you come in contact. Greet your campers’ parents and when possible keep them informed about their camper’s stay.

• Upon the camper’s arrival, it is important to try to be more than a camper’s “friend” as this will come naturally from mutual respect. Be fair with the campers. Be honest and lead them with enthusiasm.

2019 Staff Manual Guide to Counseling

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THE STARFISH STORY Original story by Loren Eisley 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.

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.”

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2019 Staff Manual Guide to Counseling

TIPS FOR CABIN COUNSELOR/INSTRUCTORS Regardless of how hard you try to make your campers cooperate and work together, you may find yourself frustrated if the only ways you use to get your kids to do the things you want them to do is to NAG. There are many POSITIVE TACTICS you can utilize. Keep in mind though, no single technique works every time.

•

Establish a rapport with the camper. This involves seeing things from the camper’s perspective. For instance, teens will often magnify the smallest thing, and may be devastated by actions that you will shrug off.

•

Be consistent.

•

Recognize when you are wrong and when a camper is correct.

•

Use countdowns: Give 5-10 minute warnings for lights-out, leaving the cabin, end of the meal, etc.

•

If you have a slow cabin of kids, build in extra time (prompt these children to start earlier) to be on-time.

•

Keep the MORE DIFFICULT child closer to you (at meals, in line-up). Close physical proximity helps make your routine consistent.

•

Keep your instructions simple and consistent.

Campers need to know what is expected of them.

•

Ask open-ended questions. This will often help the camper to solve his own problem, or arrive at the “right” conclusion.

•

Build your camper’s self-esteem. Catch the camper doing something right!

•

Be specific with praise. Don’t let your praise lose its quality and value.

•

Use the same phrases and order of events for clean-up and similar kinds of activities.

•

Lead by example. If it’s “do as I say,” it must also be “do as I do.”

•

Give immediate feedback. Make your feedback positive.

•

Never make the camper feel small or inconsequential. Sarcastic humor won’t endear you to the campers and won’t get them to do what you want.

•

Don’t correct the camper in front of other campers if possible.

•

Use touch when talking to or instructing a camper. A flat hand on: Hand on shoulder Upper arm or Upper back

•

Ask the camper to repeat back to you what you said or asked for or just instructed. Take care to do this in a way that does not humiliate them in front of other children.

• Focus on the behavior not the essence of the

camper.

In summary when living in a cabin: 1. Always explain the rules.

2. Always apply the rules.

3. Be consistent in your treatment of all children.

4. Model the rules.

5. Smile and most importantly…

6. Ask for help. If you need a break, if you’re dealing with a child’s difficult behavior…

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** HERMANN SONS LIFE CAMP ** DAILY SCHEDULE Please, CARRY YOUR WATER BOTTLE AT ALL TIMES!

STAY HYDRATED!

Please, Wear shoes at all times when Out of the cabin

Please, Wear sunscreen every day!

Re-apply often!!

Be the nice kid!

DAILY SCHEDULE 7:30 a.m.

WAKE-UP on Riverside 7:30am – WAKE-UP on Riverside 7:45 a.m.

WAKE-UP on Hilltop 7:45am – WAKE-UP on Hilltop 8:00 a.m.

Breakfast 8:00am – Breakfast 8:40-8:50 a.m. – 8:50am Flag raising 8:40am – Flag raising 8:50-9:10 a.m.

Clean Ice Cream 8:50am – 9:10am -for Clean for Ice Cream 9:10-9:55 a.m. – 9:55am Activity Period Period #1 #1 9:10am – Activity 10:00-10:45 a.m. – 10:45am Activity Period Period #2 10:00am – Activity #2 10:45-11:00 a.m. – 11:00am PUNCH BREAK BREAK 10:45am - PUNCH 11:00-11:45 a.m. – 11:45am Activity Period Period #3 11:00am – Activity #3 11:45 a.m.

Clean-up for lunch 11:45am – Clean-Up for lunch 12:00-1:00 p.m. – 1:00pm Lunch - Lunch 12:00pm 1:00-2:00 p.m. – 2:00pm REST HOUR/Canteen 1:00pm – REST HOUR / Canteen 2:00-2:45 p.m.

Activity Period Period #4 2:00pm – 2:45pm – Activity #4 3:00-3:45 p.m. – 3:45pm Activity Period Period #5 3:00pm – Activity #5 3:45-4:15 p.m. – 4:15pm SNACK–TIME 3:45pm SNACK TIME 4:15-5:00 p.m. – 5:00pm Activity– Period #6PERIOD #6 4:15pm ACTIVITY 5:15-6:15 p.m. – 6:15pm DINNER- DINNER 5:15pm 6:45-7:00 p.m.

Flag lowering 6:45pm – 7:00pm – Flag Lowering 7:00-8:30 p.m. – 8:30pm EVENING ACTIVITY 7:00pm - EVENING ACTIVITY 8:30 p.m.

SHOWER TIME 8:30pm - SHOWER TIME 9:30 p.m.

Friendship Circle/Taps 9:30pm - Friendship Circle/ Taps 10:00 p.m.

Lights Out 10:00pm – Lights-Out

12

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FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE SCHEDULE FRIDAY 8:30am – WAKE-UP on Riverside Camp

8:30 a.m.

WAKE-UP on Riverside (RS) 8:45am – WAKE-UP on Hilltop Camp 8:45 a.m.

WAKE-UP on Hilltop (HT) 9:00am – Breakfast 9:00 a.m.

Breakfast 9:40 – 10:00am Clean for Ice Cream 9:40-10:00 a.m.

Clean for Ice Cream 10:00am – 11:45am – RUN THE GAUNTLET (HT) 10:00-11:45 a.m.

RUN THE GAUNTLET (HT) 10:00am – 11:45am – ARE YOU SMARTER THAN 10:00-11:45 a.m.

ARE YOU SMARTER THAN YOUR COUNSELOR? (RS)

YOUR COUNSELORS (RS) 10:00am – 12:30am – FINALS 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. FINALS 12:30am – Clean-Up for lunch 12:30 p.m.

Clean-up for lunch 1:00pm – 2:00pm Lunch 1:00-2:00 p.m.

Lunch 2:00pm – 3:00pm – REST HOUR / Canteen 2:00-3:00 p.m.

REST HOUR/Canteen 3:00pm –5:00pm – WACKY WATER CARNIVAL 3:00-5:00 p.m.

WACKY WATER CARNIVAL 5:00pm – 5:30pm Clean-Up for DINNER 5:00-5:30 p.m.

Clean-up for dinner 5:30pm – 6:30pm – DINNER 5:30-6:30 p.m.

DINNER 6:45pm – 7:00pm – Flag Lowering 6:45-7:00 p.m.

Flag lowering 7:00pm – 8:30pm EVENING ACTIVITY 7:00-8:30 p.m.

EVENING ACTIVITY 8:30pm SHOWER TIME 8:30 p.m.

SHOWER TIME 9:30pm Friendship Circle/Taps 9:30 p.m.

Friendship Circle/Taps 10:00pm – Lights Out 10:00 p.m.

Lights Out

2019 2019 StaffStaff Manual Guide Counseling Manual Guideto to Counseling.docx/4.17.19

A TYPICAL DAY AT HERMANN SONS LIFE CAMP Okay, so there is not actually such a thing as a typical day. It does not exist. There are however some “parts” of the day that repeat themselves from time to time. This next page or two will cover these parts and your responsibilities as a cabin counselor.

GOOD MORNING

Wake-up is at 7:30 a.m on Riverside and 7:45 a.m. on Hilltop. Our simple rule is you must be punctual to breakfast and your campers must be dressed appropriately.

The major difficulty at this time of day for counselors is waking the campers up! Not easy, especially for the teens. Younger campers will typically be awake early and it is a great idea to have a rule that campers must be quiet and stay in bed (unless they need to go to the bathroom) until the wake-up song plays and they must not leave the cabin.

Some TIPS for waking campers…

• • •

Campers are more likely to listen to you if you are awake and not lying in your bed.

Walk up and down the bunk encouraging campers to wake up. Use their names!

The music will help!

BREAKFAST

The flagpole is after breakfast.

• • • •

See dining hall procedures.

Do any of your campers need to take morning meds?

Have all the campers eaten?

Have all the campers filled their water bottles?

CLEAN FOR ICE CREAM

Unlike most camps, Hermann Sons Life Camp’s housekeeping staff will clean and disinfect the bathrooms every day. They will not pick up after the campers and staff. If there are items strewn across the bathroom, the housekeeping staff is instructed not to clean the cabin. They will inform the Assistant Director who will schedule the counselors in the cabin to clean and disinfect their own cabin during scheduled time-off. Campers and counselors are required to do their part to keep the cabin clean.

Some TIPS on cabin clean-up…

• •

•

• •

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

Lead by example. Make your bed, keep your clothes neatly folded and tidy under your bed, then you can work with the campers on their areas.

Help campers who may require assistance. If you are in a cabin of younger campers the responsibility is on you to do most of the work.

Leave to activities as a cabin group.

Sunscreen? Water bottles? Dressed appropriately for their activities?

ACTIVITIES

All staff members are assigned activities. You are expected to be enthusiastic, punctual and prepared. Our activities are designed to stimulate learning, generate excitement and fun throughout our camper population. If you have any ideas to improve the activities, please see the Program Director. Ideas and suggestions are always welcome.

• •

Take attendance. Notify the Administration of all absentees immediately.

Before campers leave your activity – do they have their water bottle. Look around.

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LUNCH

We meet at the flagpole. Campers and counselors line up by cabin group.

Are all of your campers present?

We will sing songs at lunch. Your job is to sing… SING and sing loud! If you get involved, so will the campers. If you don’t participate, neither will the campers. Let’s not force or cajole the campers into singing. If they sing great. If they don’t sing – it is not the end of the world. Campers will be called into the dining hall on the basis of who is there first, and if possible, in a rotating system to make it fair.

• • • • • •

Camper of the Day “WHO HAS HERMANN?” See dining hall procedures.

Do any of your campers need to take lunchtime meds?

Have all the campers eaten?

Have all the campers filled their water bottles?

REST TIME/CANTEEN

At lunch we will announce whether the rest period is:

• • •

30:30 – Thirty minutes of rest and thirty minutes of relaxation.

45:15 – Forty-five minutes of rest and fifteen minutes of relaxation.

FULL – Sixty minutes of rest.

Two counselors must always be awake with the campers. Always.

ACTIVE SUPERVISION

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 time to be sleeping, wearing your iPod or zoning out. You are to be actively supervising the campers in your care. Rest period (unstructured cabin time), statistically in camping, is the most dangerous time on Camp. It is the camper’s Rest Period not yours.

During each session, your group leader and/or your Head Counselor will 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 to ten minutes before the electives are scheduled to begin again, have your campers ready to leave the cabin.

• • •

Be punctual.

Leave to activities as a cabin group. That way, you can use peer pressure subtly.

Sunscreen? Water bottles? Dressed appropriately for their activities?

CAMP STORE

Each cabin will be scheduled Canteen once a week.

You must watch your campers, actively supervise them and assist the Canteen staff asneeded. This is not free time!

• The Canteen typically offers our staff a generous discount on most items in the store.

•

Staff credit will not be given.

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AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES

Be enthusiastic. Enthusiastic counselors are just more fun!

DINNER

• • • •

See dining hall procedures.

Do any of your campers need to take dinner time medications?

Have all the campers eaten?

Have all the campers filled their water bottles?

EVENING ACTIVITIES

There is time after dinner for campers and staff to get ready for the evening activity. 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 Director.

Enthusiasm is key. Participation is important. Counselors are expected to dress-up if there is a theme, participate in activities, and so on.

SNACK TIME & SHOWER TIME

We meet at the dining hall. When you have all of your campers, you may go back to the cabin after snack.

• • • • • •

Two counselors must always be with your campers.

If you are missing a camper, talk to the Senior Counselor.

Set clear time limits for the showers.

Never enter the bathroom if a camper is in the shower or on the toilet.

Never be in the cabin alone with a camper.

If you need to talk to a camper in private go outside on the porch or in another high visibility area.

GRATEFUL CIRCLES, TAPS AND LIGHTS-OUT

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

•

•

•

•

•

Do any of your campers need to take evening meds?

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. The campers should take part in the establishment of the rules. E.g. flashlights until ______, Lights out at ______, Last shower is at ________.

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.

NIGHT DUTY

Directors, Assistant Directors and Senior Counselors will be assigned Night Duty.

Supervisors working Night Duty will have the following responsibilities:

• • •

Make sure all campers and counselors are in the cabin at lights out.

Assist counselors where necessary in getting the campers quiet.

Patrol the grounds.

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• • • • •

Check-in counselors returning to the Camp after a night-out ensuring they sign-in before 12:15 a.m.

Answer the phone until 11:00 p.m. Check messages left on the answer machine at 12:15 a.m.

Ensure lights out in all buildings.

Check with the clinic that all campers have taken their evening medications.

Assist the Evening Program staff with the break down and clean-up of the evening activity.

TIME-OFF

Scheduled time-off for counselors should be valued. While we encourage, and spend a lot of time talking about the importance of wanting to hang out with the campers, it is very important that you also take every opportunity to get away and recharge your batteries.

Please make sure that you sign-in and out of camp. It is very important that in the case of an emergency we know who is on Camp. For your safety and that of potential rescuers.

•

Sign-out, sign-in.

There will be consequences for counselors who do not sign-out or in.

• • • •

Be punctual. If you are late coming back from time-off there will be consequences.

First Offense if 5-10 minutes late – Verbal warning.

First Offense if 11+ minutes late – Written warning and next off-off becomes an on-off.

Second Offense if 5-10 minutes late – Written warning and next off-off becomes an on-off.

ARRIVAL DAYS

At Hermann Sons Life Camp we have eight arrival days. That means on eight separate days we have campers who have been looking forward to Camp for 365 days! They will be excited. They will be enthusiastic. They may be scared. They may be nervous. Our job is to match their enthusiasm and excitement. High energy and enthusiasm is critical on arrival day.

STAFF ARRIVAL

Staff are expected to arrive in Camp at 11:30 a.m. A staff meeting will be held in the respective dining halls at 11:45 a.m. Snacks will be provided. Please be punctual.

CHANGE IN 2019

When campers arrive in Camp, they will be directed immediately to their assigned cabin (unless we do not have the camper’s paperwork on file). The camper’s parents will be notified of their cabin assignment in an email on the Wednesday before their arrival day.

•

•

If a camper’s paperwork has not been received, the parent’s will receive a phone call at least one week prior to their arrival instructing their parent to get the valuable information to us as soon as possible.

If their health form, activities form and the check-out form is not on file in the office, the staff member at the front gate will direct the parent and child to the main office to complete the paperwork.

GATES OPEN – CHANGE IN 2019

The gates will be open between 2:30 p.m and 4:30 p.m. for both Riverside and Hilltop Camps. That means as a Camp, we must be ready to open the gates at 2:00 p.m. If you are assigned a job for arrival day, make sure you are ready and in place at least 10 mins before the gates open. This is very important.

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MUSIC

An arrival day playlist will be playing during the arrival day process. DO NOT turn the music off! Music will convey a spirit of fun. Some songs will be aimed at the parents. Most will be aimed at the campers.

MEDICATION DROP-OFF

Parents will still need to drop off their child’s medication with the Camp’s medical staff.

This may or may not be in the clinic. We will let you know the location of the medication drop-off once we have made this decision. Remind the parents when you are in the cabin to drop-off their child’s medication!

CANTEEN

The Canteen/Camp Store will be open for the parents should they need to pick up any last-minute items.

GUIDELINES FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

We want to make every camper and their family feel special, welcome and secure. Our job in greeting is to make the parent feel comfortable in dropping their child off with us.

This is, after all, their most prized possession. Here are a few tips to help guarantee that happens.

Greet and welcome each camper and parent by: • SMILE. Shake the camper’s hand, then the parents if they come in together… Camper first!

• LOOK THEM IN THE EYE when you speak with the camper and the parents. Be friendly. How far did

you travel? How was the trip? What activities are you looking forward to? Describe the day. Talk

about the evening activities. Let them know about you.

• LISTEN for questions. If you do not know the answer to the question, ask someone else. “I’m sorry,

I don’t know the answer to that question” is a perfectly acceptable response to a question if it is

followed up with, “let me get someone who can help you”.

• DISPLAY appropriate body language at all times. Be attentive. Move around the cabin. Introduce

campers to other new campers. Let’s start the process of making friends. Friends are the number

one cure for homesickness.

• APPEARANCE. All of our staff must be showered, neatly groomed and preferably wearing deodorant!

FIRE DRILL

Before dinner, we will sound the fire alarm. Take your campers to the flagpole area and line up as we would in an emergency. This includes the counselors lining up in the front and back of the line. The senior counselors will at this time confirm that all the campers are present and accounted for. Any campers scheduled to attend Camp who no-show will be called at this time by the program director (or their designee).

SAFETY ORIENTATION

The Camp Director (or the Assistant Director) will at this time welcome the campers and review the safety orientation for the campers. The safety orientation will cover:

• •

Campers must always be supervised.

Campers must stay within the fenced area (on camp grounds).

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• Campers are welcome to enjoy the activity sites when an instructor is actively supervising them.

• No food or drink (except water) should be taken to the cabins.

• Camp is a safe zone: Treat others as you wish to be treated.

• The counselors and staff are here for you!

• For your safety, do not leave your cabin after curfew.

• Please use sunscreen. Wear a hat!

• All medications must be turned into the clinic. This includes Advil, Tylenol and vitamins. You may

carry your rescue inhaler and epi-pen.

• Not feeling great? Go to the clinic after breakfast, lunch and dinner.

• Always carry a filled water bottle with you. Bonus “Clean for Ice Cream” points for cabins with

100% water bottles at meal times. Randomly through the week we will do a random check of

campers (and staff) carrying their water bottles at a meal time.

ARRIVAL DAY - CABIN MEETING

Once campers have had some fun on the brief tour of Camp, had their swim test, have become somewhat familiar with you as their counselor, with the other guys or gals in the cabin, it’s time to sit down and establish a few simple “rules."

Having some cabin or group guidelines is a way to establish expectations about behavior and norms around what is acceptable and what is not.

Setting the right tone in camp starts with the cabin rules.

• •

How do you and your co-counselor intend to operate within the cabin?

What will this process tell the campers about the week to come?

Campers do not like meetings. Be prepared. Talk to your co-counselors about how you will implement the Camp rules. The rules you and the campers agree to must be enforced consistently between both counselors in the cabin.

•

•

•

•

What is your flashlight policy?

What is your wake-up policy?

Can campers talk after lights out?

Can campers play cards at night with flashlights?

HOLDING THE MEETING

• •

• •

•

Always sit in a circle or around your bed.

Have all counselors present (when possible). Do not sit next to each other. Sit opposite each other. This way you can see all of the campers.

Make sure all the campers are present.

Introduce the discussion. These are guidelines to insure they have a fantastic stay!

Have paper with you.

•

Are campers allowed to leave the cabin individually or do you leave as a cabin?

Take the process seriously. Do not allow goofy rules or joke rules into the process.

Write them down, but do not allow them to get “on the board”.

Indicate one person talks at a time.

Everyone listens with respect.

Have an object that can act as a talking stick.

Write down all of their suggestions while in a brainstorming format.

What do they think would be good rules?

•

•

•

•

•

INTRODUCING THE MEETING

HERMANN SONS LIFE CAMP takes the approach that in order for campers to feel safe they must know and understand the parameters of their stay. A smaller, shy camper may not feel comfortable their entire stay, if they are not sure what rules and regulations are applied to their fellow campers in the cabin.

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“Since we are going to be living together or spending time together for the next several days, we need some agreements about how we want to be treated and how we treat others.”

Rules and regulations are in place to insure the campers have a safe, fantastic week. As a Camp we collect written acknowledgment of our rules and regulations from the parents in the Parent Pack.

At the end of the initial process, indicate they have done a great job. Now is the important step. When writing up the cabin rules and regulations for posting, keep this in mind:

CABIN RULE BASICS

Cabin rules must be: • Observable o Please keep your hands and feet to

yourself.

friends, but we can enforce behavioral expectations

• Enforceable o We cannot force everyone to be

IN ADDITION

•

•

•

Keep the rules to six or less.

Cabin rules must be simple, clear and posted.

Categorize similar rules.

• Logical o Why is it a rule? What is the logic to

the rule?

o

“Call others by their real name” Replace "No" or "Don’t."

• Include input from campers o The campers need to own the rules.

• Focus on positive action o Instead of no name-calling use

• Cabin rules should be stated in the positive,

as opposed to the negative.

• Have the campers sign the board.

CONSEQUENCES

There is no point in having rules if we do not enforce them. It is important that as counselors and upper staff that we understand that consequences are:

• • • •

Fair Consistent Diminish unwanted behavior Progress in severity

• Discussed with the campers • Doled out respectfully • Age appropriate

The application of the rules and regulations of HERMANN SONS LIFE CAMP must be considered. Over-reacting and emotional responses to situations are not conducive to a fair and consistent approach to the campers. It is not PC to say it, but some campers are more likable than others. That is a fact that no one can dispute and the likability factor can play into every decision we make… potentially.

A well-liked camper may be given the benefit of the doubt for the exact behavior that you send another camper to the Senior Counselor for. This is neither fair nor consistent.

Campers notice this. This is not acceptable.

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This is where being professional and deliberate with your interactions with the campers is essential. All the campers in the cabin will notice if you apply the rules evenly. All of the campers will respect you more for doing so.

Returning staff members are more likely to have a tougher time being fair and consistent with the application of the rules and regulations due to the relationships that they built in previous years with some of the campers.

HERMANN SONS LIFE CAMP enforces consequences on a case-by-case basis. We take into account many factors when deciding what consequence is appropriate and applicable.

Group management techniques will be discussed during staff training.

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HERMANN SONS LIFE CAMP’S APPROACH TO HOMESICKNESS It’s normal… And expected!

Every camper and, most staff members, if they are being truly honest, get homesick from time to time during the summer. It is NOT unnatural for a child to feel isolated and alone, and to MISS the comfort and security of their home, their dog, their parents.

Experiencing homesickness is actually one of the true benefits of a summer camp stay.

This is not a bad thing. As a counselor, you should not treat campers as ”lepers." A homesick child should be looked upon as a challenge to be embraced. We can all be great counselors to kids who are having a great time with no obvious signs of issues. What stands great counselors apart is their ability to work with campers who are not easy. To work with campers who require a little more attention. To work with campers who need the care and compassion of a well-trained counselor.

Many times a camper will arrive at camp, pre-disposed to having a difficult transition to Camp. Parents will unknowingly set their child up to fail at Camp.

•

“The home will be empty without you”

•

“I don’t know what I’ll do without you!”

While well intentioned and heartfelt, this will insure the child will have guilty feelings if they start having a good time while their parent will be crying at home because they miss them so much!

Campers coming from good homes with loving parents are surely going to miss that environment when:

• • •

They are placed in a cabin with strangers.

Their routines are drastically altered.

Everyone else speaks a strange language.

•

•

Their counselor has a strange accent and is telling them to hurry up and get out of the shower…

But especially if there is a camper or campers making their life miserable.

As a counselor, your primary job concerning homesickness is to create a safe caring environment. Provide the campers an environment free of bullying and peer pressure by actively supervising the campers.

•

•

Listening to the interactions within the cabin group.

Leading the campers in group activities.

•

•

Knowing your campers ... are they in Camp alone.

Creating an environment where friendships develop easily.

It is counter-productive to pull a homesick camper out of the cabin group for extended periods of time. They need to develop friendships and bonds with the campers in their cabin. THAT IS THE PRIMARY GOAL. At the first sign of homesickness it is important for the counselor to show caring and concern to the camper. That does not mean rush them away to the Senior Counselor and feel you have done a great job. You have not.

What evening activities are we doing this week? What can the camper look forward to?

Do they know about what activities their specialty will be doing this week? It is important to give campers something to look forward to in Camp. Be excited about your ninth dance 2019 Staff Manual Guide to Counseling

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of the summer. It may be the camper’s first dance. Are they nervous about the dance? Are they worried about an evening activity? Are they scared and do not want to be singled out in a group?

Are they getting mail from home? Homesickness can spring up from getting too much mail or not enough. Are buddies in the cabin getting packages daily and they got one email in three days? Again this is asking questions and being observant in the dining hall. ACTIVE SUPERVISION. Ask the camper questions to get to the bottom of the issue. Is it homesickness? The signs and symptoms of homesickness look a lot like the signs and symptoms of bullying. Some questions to ask:

•

•

•

•

•

What were they excited about when coming to Camp?

What activities did they want to do?

Are they getting the activities they want?

Did they come with a friend?

Do they have any concerns or issues that they would like to share?

•

•

•

•

•

Do they have any friends in the cabin?

Do they like the campers in the cabin?

Is anyone annoying them?

Is anyone bothering them?

Can you think of any other great questions to ask?

What do we do as a camp?

•

•

•

•

•

We prepare the parents to the best of our ability.

We create an active daily program that reduces down time during the day that campers have to think about home.

We develop and run meal programs created to take a “hotspot” for homesickness, dinner, and create a fun, stand on the chair environment.

We provide counselors support if they have a camper experiencing homesickness. Senior Counselors are there for the staff member and, if necessary, the camper.

We keep the parents informed. They are a valuable resource on their child. Why would they be homesick? What activities were they looking forward to participate in at Camp? Do they have friends from home at Camp? (Are they friends at Camp? Are they spreading gossip about the child?)

Every homesick child is a case requiring individual attention and sincere care. Homesickness should be treated quickly. Campers should not be crying for hours with no steps being made to try to appease the child’s concerns.

BE ALERT

Use your eyes and ears for any signs of homesickness. Possible signs are campers who are:

•

•

•

Withdrawing from group activities, cabin time, or meal conversations.

Having difficulty paying full attention because they are upset or wandering off.

Crying, complaining, or is telling you or other campers that they are homesick, missing family, or just not feeling well.

IF YOU KNOW A CAMPER IS HOMESICK

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Do not allow anyone to ridicule the camper.

Listen to the camper’s concerns.

Empathize with the child’s concerns; we have all been there at some point and time.

Let them know they are not alone and that it is normal to miss home.

Encourage the camper to find a buddy.

Try and engage the camper in activities to get their mind off of home.

Check in with the camper often to let them know you are there for them.

Talk with a Senior Counselor and find out more information about where the camper is coming from. In extreme cases the parents may be called to find out more insights about the child.

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IF THE CAMPER IS STILL HOMESICK BY THE FOLLOWING MORNING

Only under rare circumstances would the child speak to his/her parents on the phone.

More often than not, when a homesick child speaks to a parent, the situation becomes more difficult to handle. An Assistant Director or Camp Director will always prepare the parent when a child will be calling home and collaborate on how best to handle the situation.

Don’t take it personally when a child in your cabin gets homesick. NEVER try to solve the problem alone. Seek out help if you seem to be getting nowhere. If the child’s homesickness is affecting the group continuously in a detrimental way, you must seek assistance from a Senior Counselor.

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BULLYING

BULLYING

Counselors Practicing ACTIVE SUPERVISION are essential in preventing bullying.

Counselors Practicing ACTIVE SUPERVISION are essential in preventing bullying.

Counselors Practicing ACTIVE SUPERVISION are essential in preventing homesickness.

Counselors Practicing ACTIVE SUPERVISION are essential in preventing homesickness.

Counselors Practicing ACTIVE SUPERVISION are essential in providing campers an excellent Counselors ACTIVE SUPERVISION are essential in providing campers an excellent summer summerPracticing camp experience. camp experience.

Our jobcounselors as counselors to identify, stop and bullying. will be boys” no an Counselors Practicing ACTIVE SUPERVISION are essential in prevent preventing bullying.

Our job as is to is identify, stop and prevent bullying.

“Boys“Boys will be boys”, is noislonger longer an acceptable attitude to Seventy-five percent of kids involved in Counselors Practicing ACTIVE SUPERVISION arehave essential in involved preventing homesickness. acceptable attitude to have in camping. ¾inofcamping. kids in school shootings have been bullied. school shootings have been bullied.

Counselors Practicing ACTIVE SUPERVISION are essential in providing campers an excellent summer 47/50 states now have bullying prevention laws compared to 15 years ago when less than a camp experience. handful had lawsnow on the books.

47/50 states have bullying prevention laws compared to 15 years ago when less than Our job as counselors is to identify, stop and prevent bullying. “Boys will be boys”, is no longer an a handful had laws on the books. acceptable attitude to have in camping.

IDENTIFYING BULLYING ¾ of kids involved in school shootings have been bullied.

BULLYING

IDENTIFYING BULLYING 47/50 states now have bullying prevention laws compared to 15 years ago when less than a WHAT IS BULLYING? WHAT IS BULLYING? handful had laws on theabuse books.of the difference of power.

Bullying is the Bullying is the abuse of the difference of power.

In camp: IDENTIFYING BULLYING Bullying is being mean or leaving people out on purpose.

In Camp: WHAT IS BULLYING? Bullying is being mean or leaving people out on purpose. is an and repeated behavior.

Bullying isBullying the abuse ofongoing the difference of power. making a rude remark is not necessarily Bullying is an ongoing and repeated behavior. a bully.

In camp: A camper Bullying isWhat beingare mean leaving people out on purpose. the or Signs of Bullying?

A• camper making a rude remark is not necessarily a bully.

Loss of appetite Bullying is an ongoing and repeated behavior.

• Not joining in activities or games What signs of bullying?

• Crying A camper making a are rudethe remark is not necessarily a bully.

• • Not Loss of appetite sleeping joining in activities or games What are the Signs ofNot Bullying?

• • Keeping themselves to themselves in the cabin.

• • • • •

Do these signs/symptoms look like anything else?……

• Crying Loss of appetite Do these

sleeping There are 3Not groups people involved in bullying.

Not joining• in activities orof games

• Keeping themselves to themselves in the cabin.

• The Bully. signs/symptoms Crying Homesickness???

• The Victim. look like anything Not sleeping •There Theare Bystander. three groups of people Keeping themselves to themselves in the cabin.involved in bullying. else?……

average • The Bully length of time a bullying episode lasts is 28 seconds.

There areThe 3 groups

• of Thepeople Victim involved in bullying.

The of time a bullying episode lasts if a bystander intervenes is 7 seconds.

• The Bully. average • Thelength Bystander

Homesickness???

The Victim.

Different Types of Bullying The Bystander.

The average length of time a bullying episode lasts is 28 seconds.

• Physical average of time a bullying lasts if a bystander intervenes is seven • Verbal The average The length of timelength a bullying episode lasts isepisode 28 seconds. are a form • Cyber The average seconds. length of time a bullying episode lasts if a bystander intervenesCLIQUES is 7 seconds.

• Relational of Relational • •

Different Types of Bullying Different Types of Bullying

VICTIMS Physical

• Physical Verbal There types of victim. are • two Verbal Cyber • Cyber PASSIVE SUBMISSIVE Relational

• OR Relational • Physically weaker.

VICTIMS • They are afraid of being hurt, have poor physical condition and don’t do well in sports.

There are two types of victim.

• Cautious, sensitive, quiet, shy & withdrawn • • • •

PASSIVE OR SUBMISSIVE • •

22

•

Physically weaker.

They are afraid of being hurt, have poor Page 26 physical condition and don’t do well in sports.

Cautious, sensitive, quiet, shy & withdrawn

• • •

Bullying.

CLIQUESRife areinacamp form without of Relational ACTIVE SUPERVISION! • Bullying Anxious, sensitive, cry or become easily upset .

• •

Poor self-esteem Have difficulty standing up for themselves.

Rife in camp without

ACTIVE SUPERVISION!

Anxious, sensitive, cry or become easily upset Poor self-esteem 2019 Staff ManualGuide Guide to Counseling 2019 Staff Manual to Counseling.docx/4.17.19 Have difficulty standing up for themselves.

VICTIMS

There are two types of victim.

PASSIVE OR SUBMISSIVE

•

•

Physically weaker They are afraid of being hurt, have poor physical condition and don’t do well in sports

• • • •

Cautious, sensitive, quiet, shy and withdrawn Anxious, sensitive, cry or become easily upset Poor self-esteem Have difficulty standing up for themselves

PROVOCATIVE VICTIMS

• • • • • • •

Have poor social skills and appear to instigate bullying (ADD/ADHD) Clumsy, immature and exhibit irritating habits Hot tempered and attempt to fight back when victimized Do not develop strong friendships Hyperactive, restless Pick on smaller kids Kids that get bullied can also be bullies

Most campers are in the third category BYSTANDERS Typically, bystanders do nothing about bullying because they…

• Do not know what to do, what to say, who to tell.

• • • • • •

Are afraid to get involved May consider the bully a friend Thinks the target “asks for it” Thinks the target should “stand up for themselves” Most are pleased they are not the victim.

See adults ignore it… so why can’t they!

It is important in the Camp setting that we, as staff do not allow bullying to occur.

•

•

•

If you hear someone calling a camper a name… STOP IT! If you use bad language and allow the kids to use bad language… This will be intimidating to some campers.

If you hear a camper make an off-the-cuff comment… ADDRESS IT!

DYNAMICS OF BULLYING

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

80% of children have developed the social skill to function well in their own age-related space without significant adult intervention. They can deal with conflict, “stay cool”, “let it go,” etc. They learn these situations are usually temporary.

“Social Dominance” Top 20% - need to dominate and lead. Top of the totem pole Middle 60% - These and the top 20% can manage much of the bullying and aggression they experience on their own.

Bottom 20% - Bullying is especially problematic. Their emotional reactions are an open invitation to aggression from the kid(s) who want power and control over them. The bully sees an easy target to impress those around him.

Male Bullies – tend to use more physical violence.

Females – physical violence is increasing at an alarming rate however it is more likely to be more within social circles, harder to identify.

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BULLYING AT CAMP

Camp is the perfect place to address bullying but also for it to develop.

Why can bullying be more prevalent at Camp?

•

•

•

•

Bullying peaks during middle school years between the ages of 10 and 14. These are the majority of ages for kids attending Camp.

Campers are seeking immediate acceptance and popularity so they might latch on to a leader’s example or even try and become the dominant person immediately.

Returning campers may like to stamp their authority early.

Camp can develop competitiveness amongst campers, which can increase division and hierarchy.

Why Camp can be the perfect place to address bullying:

• Camp creates environments where kids can succeed. By enhancing confidence, competence and

esteem campers have the potential to leave Camp with more positive feelings about themselves.

• A NEW START – Camp creates opportunities for positive social interaction away from stigmas and

stereotypes they may have at home. Campers have an opportunity to create a new identity, camp can beBEST the perfect to address bullying: Why showing their selvesplace to others.

• Camp environments kids can succeed.

By enhancing confidence, competence and esteem

• Camp is creates a place designedwhere for positive nurturance and development. campers have the potential to leave camp with more positive feelings about themselves.

• Counselors are unique role models that campers may not have seen before. Counselors are • A NEW START – Camp creates opportunities for positive social interaction away from stigmas and

different from parents, familyhave etc.anCounselors influence, much greater stereotypes they may haveteachers, at home. Campers opportunity tohave createaa possible new identity, showing their selves to mentors. others.

thanBEST previous • Camp is a place that designed for positive nurturance and development.

• By living with those they are bullying, bullies have a chance to see the residual effect with the • Counselors are unique role models that campers may not have seen before. Different from parents,

helpteachers, of a counselor that theyhave may not get after leaving every to gomentors. home after school. family etc. Counselors a possible influence, much greater thanday previous •

By living with those they are bullying, bullies have a chance to see the residual effect with the help of a counselor that they may not get after leaving every day to go home after school.

SO, WE’VE IDENTIFIED BULLYING. HOW DO WE ADDRESS IT? SO, WE’VE IDENTIFIED BULLYING. HOW DO WE ADDRESS IT? 1. STOP THE BEHAVIOR

• • •

1. STOP THE BEHAVIOR

Interrupt the comment or stop the physical harassment.

• Interrupt the comment or stop the physical harassment Do not pull camper aside for confidentiality.

• Do not pullthe the camper aside for confidentiality.

• Make sureall all campers campers hear you addressing the action.the action.

Make sure hear you addressing This is a little controversial. But demonstrating that

SEE CABIN RULES and CONSEQUENCES above!

bullying has no place inbut camp will send a message to the This is a little controversial demonstrating entire cabin. that bullying has no place in Camp 2. aIDENTIFY THE to BEHAVIOR will send message the entire cabin.

•

Turn the focus on the behavior, not the camper.

▪ That was name-calling.

▪ That was pushing ▪ That’s rumor spreading.

2. IDENTIFY THE BEHAVIOR Turn the focus on the behavior, not the camper.

3. REMIND THE CAMPERS OF OUR EXPECTATIONS (Cabin rules) • That was • We do name-calling. not treat people that way

• •

That was pushing • We want everyone to have a great summer camp experience • Werumor treat everyone with respect.

That’s spreading.

•

How others feel is important.

4. REMIND OF BEHAVIOR 3. REMIND THECAMPERS CAMPERS OF OUREXPECTATIONS EXPECTATIONS (Cabin rules) •

Call people by their name

• We do not treat people that way • Treat others as you wish to be treated • We want everyone to have a great summer camp experience • Be aware of other’s feelings • We treat everyone with respect.

• RECAP How others feel is important.

• KEEP FOCUS ON THE BULLY AND THEIR BEHAVIOR. ▪ Follow the FOUR steps listed above.

• 20 – 30 seconds MAX • Check back with the victim later!

Call people byconsistent their name • We must be as a staff in addressing this behavior.

• Starts with the Rules must betreated Treat others as rules. you wish to be • Observable • Logical • Input from campers Be aware of other’s feelings • Enforcable • Specific • Positive action • PROFESSIONAL APPROACH • Be assertive, but also mindful of how we communicate.

• Calm demeanor • Neutral tone of voice • Body language • Choice of words • Eye contact

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4. REMIND CAMPERS OF BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS

• • •

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to Counseling

2019 Staff Manual Guide to Counseling.docx/4.17.19

RECAP

• • • • • •

•

•

KEEP FOCUS ON THE BULLY AND THEIR BEHAVIOR. Follow the FOUR steps listed above.

20-30 seconds MAX Check back with the victim later!

We must be consistent as a staff in addressing this behavior.

Starts with the rules. Rules must be • Observable • Logical • Input from campers • Enforcable • Specific • Positive action PROFESSIONAL APPROACH Be assertive, but also mindful of how we communicate.

• Calm demeanor • Neutral tone of voice • Body language • Choice of words • Eye contact

So, this is all well and good if we see the behavior. We do not always see the behavior. We do not always see the events. So, when we identify the behavior use the following phrases when going through the four steps:

• • •

“Campers are complaining that” “It has been brought to my attention that…”

“A counselor has indicated that…”

Possible responses from the Aggressor

• • • • • •

Denies all wrong doing Trivializes the event Counter attacks Claims victim status and/or accuses the other camper of starting the episode Tries to cast the bullied student as the bully Counts on the support of the bystanders

What does a bystander do to prevent further bullying?

• • • •

Don’t join in Tell the bullies to stop Separate the bully from the camper being bullied Report to a trusted adult

Reporting to an adult is the hardest one for campers aged 9 through 14 to do. Campers have a tough time coming to terms with the feeling that they are tattling.

It is not snitching if you are trying to get someone out of trouble.

• •

Reporting a camper for reading a comic book in school is tattling.

Reporting an incident that you saw a camper get hit is HELPING.

BULLYING Bullying is when one or more people exclude, tease, taunt, gossip, hit, kick or put down another person with the intent to hurt another. Bullying happens when a person or group of people want to have power over another and use their power to get their way, at the expense of someone else. Bullying can also happen through cyberspace: through the use of e-mails, text messaging, instant messaging, and other electronic methods. This type of bullying can also lead to persons being hurt during or between the Camp seasons and be especially hurtful when persons are targeted with meanness and exclusion.

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Unfortunately, persons who are bullied may not have the same potential to get the most out of their Camp experience. Our leadership addresses all incidents of bullying seriously and trains staff to promote communication with their staff and their campers so both staff and campers will be comfortable alerting us to any problems during their Camp experience and between Camp seasons. Every person has the right to expect to have the best possible experience at Camp, and by working together as a team to identify and manage bullying, we can help ensure that all campers and staff have a great summer at Hermann Sons Life Camp.

Camp administration has a zero-tolerance policy pertaining to physical action against others, stealing, bullying, and disrespect for staff and property. These actions are disruptive and result in negative experiences for individuals. The Hermann Sons Life Camp’s administrative staff reserves the right to suspend or terminate a camper or staff member’s participation at any time for failure to adhere to the rules and values of Camp.

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WARNING SIGNS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS OF POSSIBLE CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE As part of your training, you will all take an approved class on “Identifying and Understanding the Risks of Child Abuse." The ability of the Camp to keep the campers safe is the NUMBER ONE priority of the Camp. As a counselor, it is your duty to be observant. Watch for the red flags.

Any one sign doesn't mean that a child was sexually abused, but the presence of several suggests that you begin asking questions and consider seeking help. Keep in mind that some of these signs can emerge at other times of stress such as:

• • • •

During a divorce Death of a family member or pet Problems at school or with friends (bullying) Other anxiety-inducing or traumatic events (homesickness)

BEHAVIOR YOU MAY SEE IN A CHILD OR ADOLESCENT

• Has nightmares or other sleep problems

without an explanation

• Seems distracted or distant at odd times

• Has a sudden change in eating habits

o Refuses to eat

o Loses or drastically increases appetite

o Has trouble swallowing.

• Sudden mood swings: rage, fear, insecurity

or withdrawal

• Leaves “clues” that seem likely to provoke a

discussion about sexual issues

• Writes, draws, plays or dreams of sexual or frightening images

• Develops new or unusual fear of certain

people or places

• Refuses to talk about a secret shared with

an adult or older child

• Talks about a new older friend

• Suddenly has money, toys or other gifts

without reason

• Thinks of self or body as repulsive, dirty or bad

• Exhibits adult-like sexual behaviors,

language and knowledge

SIGNS MORE TYPICAL OF YOUNGER CHILDREN

• An older child behaving like a younger child

(such as bed-wetting or thumb sucking)

• Has new words for private body parts

• Resists removing clothes when appropriate

times (bath, bed, toileting, diapering)

• Asks other children to behave sexually or

play sexual games

• Mimics adult-like sexual behaviors with

toys or stuffed animal

• Wetting and soiling accidents unrelated to toilet training

SIGNS MORE TYPICAL IN ADOLESCENTS

• • • • • • • • •

Self-injury (cutting, burning) Inadequate personal hygiene Drug and alcohol abuse Sexual promiscuity Running away from home Depression, anxiety Suicide attempts Fear of intimacy or closeness Compulsive eating or dieting

PHYSICAL WARNING SIGNS Physical signs of sexual abuse are rare. If you see any of these signs, the camper may need to see a doctor. Directors will be in charge of when and how to go about dealing with these special issues. Your doctor can help you understand what may be happening and test for sexually transmitted diseases.

• • •

Pain, discoloration, bleeding or discharges in genitals, anus or mouth Persistent or recurring pain during urination and bowel movements Wetting and soiling accidents unrelated to toilet training

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BEHAVIORS TO WATCH FOR WHEN ADULTS ARE WITH CHILDREN We all have things that make us uncomfortable. “Personal space” is the private area of control inside an imaginary line or boundary that defines each person as separate.

Ideally, that boundary helps us stay in charge of our own personal space. It helps keep out the things that make us uncomfortable - unsafe and unwanted feelings, words, images, and physical contact. Solid social rules strengthen the boundary. Behaviors that routinely disrespect or ignore boundaries make children vulnerable to abuse.

Do you know an adult or older child who doesn’t understand what’s acceptable when it comes to: PERSONAL SPACE

•

•

•

•

Makes others uncomfortable by ignoring social, emotional or physical boundaries or limits?

Refuses to let a child set any of his or her own limits? Uses teasing or belittling language to keep a child from setting a limit?

Insists on hugging, touching, kissing, tickling, wrestling with or holding a child even when the child does not want this physical contact or attention?

Frequently walks in on children/teens in the bathroom?

RELATIONSHIPS WITH CHILDREN

•

•

•

•

•

Turns to a child for emotional or physical comfort by sharing personal or private information or activities, normally shared with adults?

Has secret interactions with teens or children (e.g. games, sharing drugs, alcohol, or sexual material) or spends excessive time to email, text message or call children or youth Insists on or manages to spend uninterrupted time alone with a child?

Seems “too good to be true," i.e. frequently baby sits different children for free; takes children on special outings alone; buys children gifts or gives them money for no apparent reason?

Allows children or teens to consistently get away with inappropriate behaviors?

SEXUAL CONVERSATION OR BEHAVIOR

•

•

•

Frequently points out sexual images or tells dirty or suggestive jokes with children present?

Exposes a child to adult sexual interactions or images without apparent concern?

Is overly interested in the sexuality of a particular child or teen (e.g., talks repeatedly about the child's developing body or interferes with normal teen dating)?

SEX & CAMP - A COUNSELOR’S RESPONSIBILITY

So, you are working at a Camp with kids. Why do I bring up the subject of sex at Camp?

There have been quite a few surveys done on the subject.

•

•

In 2010, 9% of children ages 11-14 have had sexual intercourse with 8% engaging in oral sex.

55% of women and 54% of males aged 15-19 have engaged in oral sex with at least 10% of both men and women reporting they have had ANAL sex.

Emphasize the following rules to the campers.

•

•

I understand that to provide a safe, enforceable limit, campers are to limit their sexual behavior to appropriate hugging. Camp is not a place to be sexually active. For both campers and staff.

I understand that Camp implements a policy when it comes to “provocative clothing." I know that undergarments must be worn at all times and may not be visible and that the navel to the bottom must be covered completely.

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This is what parents expect from us. We all know the research. It is not beyond the realm of possibility, in fact it is highly probable that some campers arriving in Camp and are sexually active. Some campers in Camp will be wrestling with their sexuality. Some campers will not. Some campers may associate as LGBTQ. When it comes to sexual behavior, your supervisory role is simple, clear and defined.

•

Not here.

•

Not now.

•

Not on my watch.

STAFF & GOSSIP

What you do in your own free time is none of my business. You are all adults. If you are involved sexually in a consenting relationship that is your business. There are boundaries that you need to understand and be aware of.

Campers should NEVER know anything about your personal relationships.

Campers will ask. You NEVER give them any information that pertains to your night off. You never give them any details about your private life.

• • • •

Where are you going?

Who are you going with?

Do you have a girlfriend?

Do you have a boyfriend?

• • • •

Are you gay?

Are you a virgin?

How many times have you had sex?

Why is your tongue pierced?

Why will they ask you these questions? They are curious. Our job is to provide campers a safe, caring environment. They do not keep secrets. They will tell their parents. They will tell their friends. They will spread the gossip.

I started this section with the sentence. “What you do in your own free time is none of my business." But I will hear about it. There are NO SECRETS IN CAMP. Be respectful to your fellow staff members. The staff lounge is provided to all staff for your usage.

•

Respect each other’s values.

Do not make the lounge or The Spot uncomfortable for others to use. You are not doing anyone any favors by spreading gossip.

Keep a professional distance from the campers. Remember at all times you are an employee of HERMANN SONS LIFE CAMP.

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TO EARN RESPECT FOUR WAYS TO GET RESPECT

By Bob Ditter FROM YOUR CAMPERS

• Earn their respect. Respect isn’t earned by being physically big, by yelling, by having a title, or by lording it over others. Respect is earned by reputation, by assumption, by conduct, and by maintaining the gap. Your reputation is what the campers think you are. Be consistent.

• Respect is earned by assumption. You must assume your role as the authority figure and leader and thus tactfully demand respect that is appropriate. Many times you can observe a camper who quickly becomes the peer group leader. Watch closely and you will see that this child simply assumes the authority to tell the others what to do, and they do it! Take command, and they will follow! Respect is earned and maintained by your conduct. Are you deserving of their respect? Your conduct and general manners must be above reproach.

• A camper will not respect a counselor who picks on the fat kid, assumes Georgina is always guilty, leaves the group unattended, uses sarcasm and ridicule, or spends more time with friends than with the campers. Respect assumes looking up to another person. This means you must maintain the gap by being a leader and not a camper.

Being too much like a camper is a sad but repeated mistake made by many counselors.

• Remember this: You’ll never earn their respect if you don’t respect them! Your respect is evidenced in the words you choose (no sarcasm), in your tone of voice, and in the way you give directions. Do you order them around like a sergeant, or preface your request with “please” and follow through with “thank you”? Do you know their names? When they have a problem that is real to them, let it be real to you too. Take them seriously.

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OUR CUSTOMERS ARE • • •

• •

• •

•

WHO ARE OUR CUSTOMERS?

The most important people ever in this site, either in person or otherwise.

Not dependent on us, we are dependent on them.

Not an interruption of our work, they are the purpose of our work. We are not doing them a favor by serving them; they are doing us a favor by giving us an opportunity to do so.

Not an outsider to our business; they are part of it.

Not cold statistics – name on a ledger sheet. They are flesh and blood human beings with biases, prejudices, feelings and emotions like our own.

Not someone to argue with; nobody ever won an argument with a customer.

People who bring us their wants (to have quality, affordable and safe childcare). It is our job to fill them profitably – to them and to ourselves.

Our customers are our campers and their parents. They deserve the very best that we can give them and we expect every one working here to give our customers their best!!!

WHAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE WHEN WORKING WITH CHILDREN

by Bob Ditter

•

Countdown - Children lose track of time easily. Giving them a five-minute warning before the end of a period helps them make the transition easier.

•

Allow the children to be “experts.” Many children come to camp with a lot of knowledge about hobbies, sports - even about Camp, having come back several years in a row. Allowing children to show off what they know - acknowledging their expertise - helps them to feel a sense of mastery and is a great way to establish mutual respect. Tip: Have returning campers show new campers around.

•

Listen - Most children are so used to adults not listening to them that they will be impressed when you do! Feeling unheard (or misunderstood, which is just another form of feeling unheard) is one of the worst feelings there is.

•

Share your “self” - Sharing your own experiences in appropriate ways helps children see their own experiences as more normal. Besides, children seldom have the opportunity to engage with adults in meaningful ways. Camp is a place where this can happen!

•

Keep boundaries - This means that while it is great to share your own experience (like if you were once homesick or afraid to try something, etc.), news about your private sexual or romantic life is not appropriate to share with your campers (even though they may be curious about it and ask you)! The other side of this is respecting distance that campers may need. What campers share with us about themselves is privileged. When we don’t respect that, we lose their trust.

•

Set limits - As you may have heard children don’t have such good “brakes." What that means is they often do not know when to stop. Setting limits means helping a child take “no” for an answer!

(Remember: When children feel out of control, they do not feel safe - and someone may get hurt.)

•

Allow children to “save face” - What children fear more than anything else is being humiliated - being made to feel small. If you characteristically deal with children in such a way that you leave them feeling this way, they will resent you and stop listening to you.

•

Acknowledging growth, change or adaptation - “You know Billy, you’ve really come a long way! You haven’t been afraid at all this week!!” “Sally, three days ago you wouldn’t have been able to say that!”

•

Children need to hear us notice they are growing up!

SAFETY ISSUES - EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL

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AGE CHARACTERISTICS AT CAMP PRACTICAL CAMP APPLICATIONS (8 – 10) POSITIVES

NEGATIVES

NEGATIVES

PRACTICAL CAMP APPLICATIONS (CITs 14 – 16) NEUTRAL

•

• • • • • •

• • •

•

• • •

•

Very caring. Wants to think they are older and more independent but still like stories, and hugs.

Asleep well before 10:00 p.m.

Can be motivated with proper guidance.

Will help with chores.

Great sense of humor. Always make you laugh.

Always willing to try new things.

Look up to their counselor. You don’t need to earn their respect but can lose it very quickly.

Infrequent temper tantrums.

Bed wetting still a problem.

Cabin clean up. It’s all on the counselor to cover the camper’s tracks!

Counselor will have to redo a lot of their camper's efforts.

Struggle to follow direction.

Wander a lot. Still require 24/7 supervision.

Difficult time with the basics - showers, brushing teeth/hair, dressing, etc.

Need constant reminding. You must make sure the campers are taking showers. They will try to fake you!

PRACTICAL CAMP APPLICATIONS (11 – 13) NEUTRAL • • •

Wants independence but still want affection.

Detects unfair and fair treatment easily.

Need a great deal of support.

POSITIVES • • • •

• • • • • •

Good sense of humor.

Normally respects authority.

All talk, no action (i.e. cabin raids).

Feelings of hatred aimed at adults are short lived.

Few temper tantrums.

Talk about a variety of subjects in a funny way.

Strong sense of friendship.

Strong sense of trust.

Generally easy to solve cabin problems.

Respond well to offer of simple rewards.

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• • • •

• • • • •

• • •

•

All want attention at the same time.

Tend to be more homesick.

Get emotionally upset easily.

Hard to tell if they desire or do not desire adult affection.

Tend to hang on to and depend on others more.

Hard to get them to do chores or shower.

Not a lot of independence can be given.

Feed off each other’s emotions.

Continual horseplay.

Looking for acceptance of peers.

Able to be their friend Varying background and cultures become a challenge.

All campers look to the seniors, they want to be like them.

POSITIVES •

•

•

•

• •

More mature - You will be able to have excellent communication on a mature level.

Not high counselor maintenance in personal l iving skills. i.e. showers, teeth.

Counselors can influence them, i.e. ideas, motivation, ability, emulation, ease.

Easier to relate to - age difference not that great.

More responsible (see below).

More independence.

NEGATIVES • •

• • • • •

• •

Very cliquey Like to hang out in cabins and with the opposite sex.

May smoke/drink (and ask you to provide)!

Up late, very late.

Attitude: "I pay to come here, you can't tell me."

Foul language More irresponsible. Requires constant supervision, though not as hands-on as in the youngest divisions.

One camper can influence the whole cabin.

They know the Camp - may have been coming for many years and they will test you. Important to draw an authoritative role, so that they do not push all over you!

2019 Staff Manual Guide to Counseling

ACTIVE SUPERVISION

So, throughout this manual I’m using the phrase Active Supervision. What do we mean by the phrase ACTIVE SUPERVISION? As you have been told, the purpose of the counselor is to be there for the camper - to create an environment that is conducive to campers feeling safe. Actively supervising the campers is a 24/7 responsibility. It is easy to do at the activity site. As a smart, knowledgeable adult, you understand that if you are not active when belaying campers… there is a high level of danger. What is less evident is the importance of Active Supervision during cabin time. Cabin time 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 HERMANN SONS LIFE CAMP. If you are not scheduled “Time-Off” then you are working.

This is not time to be sleeping on your bed, wearing your iPod or zoning out – you are to be actively supervising the campers in your care. Unstructured cabin time, statistically in camping, is the most dangerous time on Camp. It is the camper’s Rest Period not yours.

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Counselors Practicing ACTIVE SUPERVISION are essential in preventing bullying.

Counselors Practicing ACTIVE SUPERVISION are essential in preventing homesickness.

Counselors Practicing ACTIVE SUPERVISION are essential in providing campers an excellent summer camp experience.

WORKING WITH ADD/ADHD CHILDREN

Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) seem to be coming to Camp in greater numbers than ever. They have probably always been there, just without the label. One reason we may be seeing ADHD children in greater numbers is that the medical professions have gotten better at identifying it. Another reason may be that the stigma about ADHD seems to be decreasing in intensity for many parents.

Success in working with these children at Camp depends on a number of factors:

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First you must have some understanding of the syndrome itself and what it is and what it is not.

Second, you must be able to obtain accurate information from parents before the child comes to Camp.

Third, you must have some tools for working with that child - practical strategies that are easily executed by your staff.

Finally, you should also have some cursory knowledge of the medication issues involved in treating ADHD so that you can speak intelligently with parents, staff, children and the prescribing physician.

ADHD – WHAT IS IT? Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) is a combination of symptoms that include inattention, distractibility, impulsiveness and other difficulties associated with attention.

Behaviors associated with ADHD include fidgeting, being easily distracted, difficulty in following directions or instructions, daydreaming, interrupting others, losing or misplacing things and having difficulty finishing task or assignments. Organizationally, children with ADHD are a mess! There’s a lot of confusion and misunderstanding about this syndrome.

Some of the difficulty comes from the nature of “attention” itself.

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Attention and the ability to maintain one’s attention is greatly influenced by a number of factors, including mood, motivation, environmental circumstances, level of fatigue and so on. Even individuals with brain damage have better or poorer performance with motivation changes. However, children who have a legitimate attention deficit do have tremendous difficulty keeping up with other children.

HYPERACTIVITY IN CHILDREN Many children can, from time to time, behave in a highly active manner. “Hyperactivity” can be caused by many factors - excitement about being at Camp or at a favorite Camp activity; anxiety about being away from home or in the company of people who are not quite friends yet; or nervousness about performing in a new arena.

There are also “clinical” reasons for a child’s overactive behavior. These include (a) having ADHD. This is organic - based in the brain; (b) having had a trauma (death of a parent or divorce), from which a child has not yet recovered; or (c) being stimulated by highly charged material or information that is producing a lot of anxiety.

It is important for you as a counselor to know whether a camper has a true attention deficit disorder, since children with ADHD often exhibit behavior that is not willful, such as not listening, “messing up” on rules that were just stated or going ahead without permission of the staff. Campers with ADHD, then, need a different kind of partnership with you, since most children with ADHD have trouble paying attention, keeping track of the rules, knowing what is expected of them and so on.

Another reason to know who does and who does not have an organically based hyperactivity problem is that some children who look “hyper” may be sending us a “coded message” that is actually a cry for help.

In some cases the help is for better self-control, while in other cases it may be a sign that a child is struggling with an emotional injury they cannot cope with on their own. If you think you have a child who is sending a message like that, tell your Senior Counselor or the nurse. The good news is that most of the same approaches and strategies that work with campers who have ADD/ADHD can be used successfully with all campers who are highly active.

For example, most youth with ADHD need more frequent and more immediate feedback from counselors than other children. They need to know when they are doing well and when they are about to go astray or do something not so well. All campers can benefit from that kind of feedback!

Children with ADD/ADHD also respond better when: the feedback is positive, the instructions are simplified, commands and rules are stated positively, and a counselor makes better eye contact with them or uses light, appropriate, reassuring touch, like a hand on the shoulder. All of these tactics also work well with other campers too!

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2019 Staff Manual Guide to Counseling

The single greatest difference between campers who have ADD and those that do not is that children, who can control their behavior if they try, need to get help being accountable for their actions. In other words, you must begin to focus on helping a child take control of him or herself. One of the ways to do this is to stress clearly and simply what your expectations as a counselor are, then to be equally clear about consequences.

For children who do not have an organically based problem, and even for children who can gain better control with some effort on their part, such things as earning privileges, losing a privilege or taking a time out are effective strategies. Remember that your goal as a counselor is to help children master new behavior. If this means being firm, and you can be firm without humiliating a child, then even if they are angry with you, you can help them do some good growing up!

Once you are clear that being firm is not being mean, you can take a look at some other strategies that help with children who are highly active. Many of these are outlined on the following two pages. For example, in the bunk or with the group, have the rules stated clearly and post them so campers can see them.

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Keep the rules simple. Have campers repeat them back to you so you can confirm that they understand what is expected. Put your commands and rules in positive terms.

Break tasks down into smaller steps so they are easier to follow. “Prompt” campers with what you want from them.

That means giving them a hint or suggestion before they do something.

With very active campers, using rewards works, but you will find that you will have to change the reward frequently, since highly active children get “bored” quickly with whatever you use as the “prize." Try rewards like a special time with you, special time in a favorite activity or getting to help out with something fun - like helping to light the campfire that night or blowing the whistle at a game, etc. Good supervision in anything you do with an active child is essential!

Many highly active children need a “cooling off” time after a strenuous activity. If they don’t get such a moment, they can become irritable and end up in a fight. When coming to the end of an activity period, give the group a several minute “warning” that the activity is about to come to a close. This helps everyone get used to the idea that they will have to stop and put things away.

Keep highly active children nearer to you. The closer they are, the easier you can see when they are about to “go off” and the easier it is to monitor them. That means sitting next to or near them at meals and in some group activities.

With some care, planning and a thoughtful approach, counselors can have more success with “fast kids” in ways that both they and the children thrive at Camp. Use the notes on the following two pages to think about other strategies you can use with highly active or distractible campers.

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ADHD/COUNSELORS AND CAMP This behavior is not willful and can be variable (in other words, children with ADHD can concentrate or pay attention sometimes and not others). The counselor should focus on problem areas - such as cabin clean-up, transition times, free play and review the ABCs of behavior:

A - Antecedent (what’s going on just before unwanted behavior occurs); B - Behavior (what the child did, how the child reacted); C - Consequence (response of peers, primary counselor, etc.)

CHILDREN WITH ADHD TEND TO:

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Feel negative about themselves.

Need to be “right” (to them, being wrong = “I’m bad”) and they get into arguments around being right.

Become very “bossy” with other children or with adults.

React poorly to surprises and unscheduled changes.

Be strongly drawn to emotionally charged materials or events such as: swearing, sexualized ways of talking or behaving, gossiping personal information about others, graffiti, petty vandalism, defacing property.

Show signs of high anxiety, such as tics, rocking. fidgeting. talking to oneself, restlessness, tapping.

Lose the “big picture” or overview (and their perspective) easily.

Are overwhelmed with too many details. Get stuck on individual items.

Need high doses of positive reinforcement/feedback.

Become satiated on rewards or reinforcers quickly (and respond best when reinforces are changed frequently).

Have good information but poor execution. Test scores show a 20 point discrepancy between verbal and performance scores for ADD/ADHD kids.

Need and respond well to frequent prompts, countdowns, reminders, cue cards, notes, etc.

Is an organizational nightmare and needs much help with schedule card in the elective program.

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2019 Staff Manual Guide to Counseling

WANT TO BE A GREAT COUNSELOR? This will help… (and not just with campers who have ADD/ADHD) • USE Transitions. o Allow 3-5 minute warning - do countdowns.

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Allow or build in extra time (prompt these children to start earlier).

• Keep the ADHD child closer to you.

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Close physical proximity helps make your routine consistent.

• Use the same phrases and order of events for clean-up and similar kinds of activities.

• Give immediate, positive feedback.

• Use multiple reinforcers. o E.g., free time, special role in a game, going first, using something special in Camp, getting first

choice in activities, tokens or points which can be “traded” for different items.

• Allow “down time” for campers to decompress.

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Prompt them to do so. Don’t expect they will on their own.

• Use touch when talking to them or instructing them.

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�and on shoulder Upper arm Upper back Even holding a younger child’s hand.

• Ask them to repeat back to you what you said or asked for or just instructed.

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Take care to do this in a way that does not humiliate them in front of other children.

• Seat ADHD children close to you in cafeteria/dining hall.

• Observe which times are most stressful for the ADHD child.

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E.g., cabin clean-up, rest hour, evening, getting ready for bed and get extra help during those times.

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THE HERMANN SONS LIFE CAMP STAFF CREED

THE HERMANN SONS LIFE CAMP STAFF CREED

CUSTOMER FIRST CUSTOMER FIRST

We provide highest of service all customers.

We the provide the level highest level ofto service to all customers. o We accurate, courteous responsesresponses to all guests provide o We provide unbiased accurate, and unbiased and courteous to all guests. o o o

Customers eat first eat first.

o Customers We environment are o a trash-free We are a trash-free environment.

Phone before thebefore 2nd ring a happy tone aofhappy voice tone of voice.

o answered Phone answered thewith second ring with

PROFESSIONALISM PROFESSIONALISM

Campa expects a professional approach all criteria times. The criteria for HermannHermann Sons LifeSons CampLife expects professional approach at all times.atThe for professionalism professionalism includes: includes: o Emotional maturity. o Emotional maturity o Professional in appearance. o o o o o o

o Recognition of the seriousness of the position.

Recognition of the seriousness of the position. o Professional in attendance.

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

Ability to defer personal matters in favor of the o Represent yourself professionally when wearing

o Positive interpersonal communication. customers. camp clothing.

o Ability to assume authority when necessary.

Positive interpersonal communication. o Respect supplies and equipment.

o Tolerance for stress and the ability to handle emergencies.

Ability to assume authority when necessary. o Leave a clean work area at the end of the day/

o Ability to provide for an individual’s needs in a group setting.

Tolerance for stress and the ability to handle project.

o Professional in appearance. emergencies.

o Professional in attendance.

Ability for yourself an individual’s need in when a

o to provide Represent professionally wearing Camp clothing. group setting.

o Respect supplies and equipment.

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

PERSONAL GROWTH

GROWTH We strive for excellence in the professionPERSONAL by maintaining and enhancing our own knowledge and We strive for excellence in the profession by maintaining and enhancing our the ownaspirations knowlskills, by encouraging the professional development of co-workers, and by fostering edge and skills, by encouraging the professional development of co-workers, and by fosof potential members of the profession. tering the aspirations of potential members of the profession. o o o o o o

POSITIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT POSITIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT

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

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

There acceptable alternative to honesty.

o is no There is no acceptable alternative to honesty.

No or discrimination. harassment o No harassment or discrimination.

Drug smoke-free work environment.

o andDrug and smoke-free work environment.

Clean All individual companies work to one goal – begoal successful.

Issues and situations

o Communication: Clean Communication: All individual companies work to one – be successful.

Issues and may arise cause negative feeling individuals andbetween companies.

These should be discussed openly and thatsituations may arise thatbetween cause negative feeling individuals and companies.

These between shoulddepartment be discussedheads. openlyGossip and freely between department heads.aGossip and negativity have freely and negativity have never solved problem.

never solved a problem.

PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY

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

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

đ&#x;˜Šđ&#x;˜ŠHAVE FUN AND SMILE đ&#x;˜Šđ&#x;˜Š 35

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2019 Staff Manual Guide to Counseling

HERMANN SONS LIFE CAMP STAFF CONDUCT AGREEMENT

CREATING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR KIDS

GUIDELINES FOR STAFF

• I understand and accept the following:

o Counselors may, under no circumstances, hit a child

or use force.

o Counselors may not use curse words, abusive or derogatory language with campers. We do not scream or yell.

o A staff member who encounters a particularly difficult child will seek assistance from the division director or any available senior staff member.

I understand and accept the following:

• There is no "hazing" or "initiation" of campers or counselors. No name calling, making fun of someone, or embarrassing pranks will be tolerated.

• There will be double coverage of campers during changing times. At the very least have a witness available.

• Children must change their own clothes.

• Campers will not be alone with a counselor in his/

her cabin/room.

• A staff member will under no circumstance share a bed or sleeping bag with a camper. This also applies to campers.

• Counselors will set limits with children who "cling"

or hang on them.

• Counselors will not give back rubs to campers.

• Tickling or teasing a camper to the point where that

camper is out of control is unacceptable.

• Pillow fights or "wrestling" matches are forbidden.

• Romantic lives of counselors can, under no circumstance, be shared with campers. Inappropriate conversations are grounds for termination.

• Male staff members should be aware of the tendency for adolescent females to develop hidden or secret romantic fantasies. Keep your professional distance.

• I will listen when others are sharing.

• I will support my fellow counselors by applauding, listening, spotting, encouraging, pitching in, confronting or doing what seems helpful at the time in order to maintain a safe environment at Camp.

• I will exemplify to the best of my ability the values of: Kindness, Respect, Cooperation, Acceptance, Appreciation, Sportsmanship and Honor.

GUIDELINES FOR COUNSELOR-CAMPER CONTACT

OTHER INSTRUCTIONS

• We aim to create a supportive Camp environment that

provides for the emotional safety of our campers.

• We start by speaking with and listening to campers in a manner that reflects respect for each individual, including those of different backgrounds and abilities.

• We focus our attention primarily on the campers' needs

and interests rather than on other staff and ourselves.

• We call campers by their first name or preferred

nickname – we never make up a new nickname.

• We use language that is easily understood by the child.

We provide explanations for actions taken. We speak with the camper at eye level.

• We use techniques that never intentionally embarrasses

or ridicules the camper or a group of people.

• We discourage and correct behaviors that include

teasing, disrespectful behavior, belittling or intimidation.

• We conduct Camp activities in different ways, depending on the developmental level of the campers, i.e., earlier curfew for juniors, starting evening activities earlier.

• We guide group behavior in developmentally appropriate

ways.

GUIDELINES FOR THE DISCIPLINE OF CHILDREN

• I understand and accept that when touching campers,

the following guidelines should be followed:

o We never touch the area above the knee or below

the shoulders of the camper.

o We never touch a camper below the knee or above

the shoulders when it’s against a child's will.

o We are never alone with a camper. Rule of Two.

COUNSELOR RESPONSIBILITY • I understand and accept that I am a caretaker of children.

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I understand that there is a clear power difference between myself and campers (mobility, authority, experience, knowledge, money, different set of rules).

I understand that inappropriate sexual contact with or physical abuse of a camper can have a severe emotional and psychological effects on that camper that can last a lifetime. These reactions can be so severe, they can require intensive professional intervention which can be disruptive to the victim’s life as well as time consuming and expensive.

I will never say or do anything to or with a camper that I wouldn't do or say if the camper's parent was present.

2019 Staff Manual Guide to Counseling

I agree to the following:

• To watch for signs of stress in myself and others as a

way of maintaining a safe environment at Camp.

• To help other staff who seem at risk for hurting or

abusing campers.

• To alert senior or supervisory personnel to dangerous

or "at risk" situations between campers and staff.

• To ask for more supervision, intervention or support.

• To seek help myself if I feel at risk of hurting, over

stimulating or abusing a camper.

I agree to abide by the dictates listed above. Furthermore I hereby attest to the fact that I have read and understand the procedures and regulations detailed in the Staff Manual and I agree to abide by them as well.

Counselor’s Name: _________________________________ Counselor's Signature________________________________ Date ___________________ Page 43

WELL-CAMP POLICIES AND PROCEDURES It is the primary responsibility of all staff members to care for the health and safety of all campers and staff.

Hermann Sons Life Camp’s primary concern is the health and safety of all campers and staff members who live and work on campgrounds. This manual has been developed to create a culture of healthy living and to develop policies and procedures which will foster good practices and habits amongst both staff and campers.

Illness and contagion will never be completely eradicated from schools and camps. Enforcing and implementing a culture where good healthy practices exist will help in reducing the spread of sickness, and is an essential part of running a top-rated summer camp program.

Camps and schools are traditional breeding grounds for the spread of germs. Hermann Sons Life Camp is the summer home for campers from all over Texas as well a spattering of campers and staff from across the United States.

In our daily routines we must set the example and teach campers the importance of healthy living. As a counselor and instructor, it is important that we are vigilant.

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Is everyone on Camp getting enough rest?

Is everyone on Camp eating properly?

Is everyone on Camp drinking enough water?

Is everyone on Camp dressed appropriately for the weather?

Is everyone on Camp using sunscreen and lip balm?

Is everyone on Camp following the safety rules at the activity sites?

These will all be addressed at length during staff development and again later in this manual.

In 2019, Hermann Sons Life Camp will have a fully staffed clinic on both Hilltop and Riverside camps. The clinic staff, however, cannot be solely responsible for the health, safety and welfare of our campers.

We, as a staff all need to FOCUS on the health and safety of the children in our care.

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A child cannot be healthy if they do not drink plenty of water.

A child cannot be healthy if they skip meals.

A child cannot be healthy if they do not wear sunscreen and lip balm.

A child cannot be healthy if they do not rest or get enough sleep.

The same must also be said for the staff!

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You must drink water.

You must eat properly.

You must wear sunscreen and lip balm.

Most importantly however, YOU MUST GET REST!

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2019 Well-Camp Policies and Procedures

The next few pages are designed to assist you in FOCUSING on your number #1 priority: the health and safety of both you and our campers! Without taking care of this basic necessity, the Camp will have failed both the parent and the child.

CLINIC PROTOCOL The goal of this health care policy and plan is to ensure the health and safety of all campers (and staff) so that they may participate in all activities to the maximum of their capabilities. This goal will be accomplished by providing:

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Effective screening to identify problems within 24 hours of a camper or staff member’s arrival in Camp.

Dispensing of prescribed medications for ongoing problems provided they arrive in their original packaging.

First aid for minor injuries and illnesses.

Referral to outside medical resources for all other injuries and illnesses.

Education of staff to promote general well-being among both campers and staff.

Medical care by a licensed nurse will be provided. Anyone requiring evaluation and treatment beyond the scope of the Camp’s Treatment Procedures will be referred to an appropriate facility and/or their own physician.

Hermann Sons Life Camp recognizes the HIPAA law. Copies of this law are posted in easily accessed areas. Every precaution will be taken to keep medical information confidential.

Information will be provided to cabin counselors who live with campers and activity instructors on an as-needed basis. This is done in simple code, to further protect the confidentiality of the camper.

All staff and campers will go through the health screening process. Qualified personnel under the direction of the Licensed Nurse will do the screening. All campers and staff are required to have a completed Health History Form on file.

Our medical staff will receive camper Health History Forms the week prior to campers’ arrival. This allows time for review.

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Incomplete forms, or any concerns that arise after review can then be addressed prior to campers’ arrival.

Review of staff forms will occur at the beginning of staff training or within the first 24 hours whenever a new staff member is hired.

It is important to note that all medications must be entrusted to the care of the Medical Staff and kept under lock and key in the Clinic. Under no circumstances can any medication (camper OR STAFF) be left in the cabin. This includes vitamins, contraception (the pill) and aspirin.

Please note: The Medical Staff will not dispense prescribed medication to the adult staff (18+). Staff Members' medication will be available to the staff throughout the day.

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Campers should not be in possession of medication at any time. The only exception to this rule is the carrying of injectable epinephrine (epi-pens) and rescue inhalers. Campers (and staff) are allowed to carry these, after it has been assessed that they know how to use them without assistance. Medications should be collected during check in. These will then be reviewed and distributed accordingly.

HEALTH FORMS Staff members taking campers away from Camp for more than 20 minutes must take with them a copy of the medical forms for all persons on the trip.

HEALTH CARE We expect the cabin staff to be aware of the health condition of each camper assigned to their cabin. If ever a camper makes any type of complaint of not feeling well or indicating any situation involving a medical problem, bring the camper to the Clinic to be checked out by the nurses at sick call (after meals and after the night-time activity).

In case of injury or serious illness radio the Clinic immediately. No matter what your feelings about the validity of the complaint, never take a chance.

If you have an opinion about a medical situation, please do not attempt to make a diagnosis. The only people authorized to diagnose a medical situation are the Camp’s medical staff.

If any of the following symptoms appear, we expect the camper’s counselors to make sure the camper reports to the Clinic at the earliest available sick call.

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Does he or she complain about earaches, headaches, constipation, diarrhea, sore throat, being sluggish or tired?

Are there any signs of skin rashes, abrasions, infections, sunburn?

Has the child lost his/her appetite? Has he/she eaten too much junk food?

Is the child irritable? Is he or she getting enough sleep?

Does his or her face seem flushed?

Are his or her eyes inflamed, increased redness and watering more than usual?

SICK CALL Sick Call is scheduled four times daily: After breakfast, after lunch and after dinner. We also have a Sick Call scheduled after the evening activity has ended (from 9:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.), however this Sick Call is primarily intended for campers who are required to take bedtime medications. Medications must always be taken BEFORE 10 P.M. It is important for the health of the Camp that we keep a track of our camper’s health.

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Are they getting run-down/tired?

Are they eating correctly?

Are they drinking water?

Are they becoming irritable?

Do they complain of headaches?

Are they beginning to cough? Coughing through the night?

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If so, please make sure they pop in and see the medical staff. Campers often will try to disguise illness because they do not want to “miss out” on any part of Camp. It is our job to look-out for the campers and protect them from themselves.

MEDICATIONS Counselors are required to supervise their campers in the line outside the Clinic.

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All campers must be escorted.

Emergencies should be brought to the attention of the nurse immediately regardless of the time of day.

MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT Should a camper in your cabin get sick in the middle of the night and require medical treatment, either take the camper to the clinic, or wake a co-counselor to fetch the medical staff to the cabin if they are unable to walk.

PLEASE DO NOT • Let children go up to the Clinic by themselves. Any age.

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Leave them at the Clinic without making the “hand off” to the nurse.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES Hermann Sons Life Camp has given considerable attention to emergency procedures to follow in case of natural disasters or onsite wmergencies. The Hermann Sons Life Camp staff is well prepared and practices emergency procedures regularly.

We hope all of our Hermann Sons Life Camp program staff are going to be current CPR and First Aid certified and are capable of helping in any type of emergency situation. All Senior Staff monitor the radios. Please minimize unnecessary chatter.

PERSONAL INJURY Staff should refer to Work Related Injury Protocol if injured while at work.

Minor iInjuries such as small cuts and bruises to a camper or adult should be reported to Hermann Sons Life Camp staff to be recorded in the incident log. Most activity areas have a First Aid Kit. We have a well-stocked Clinic and a medical staff member to care for injuries and administer any needed medications.

Serious Injuries such as cuts that require stitches or noticeable bumps will be taken care of immediately by the closest Hermann Sons Life Camp staff member and the Medical Staff will be radioed out to the scene to advise if the injured person should be taken to the hospital (See radio codes in the emergency manual).

The Medical Staff will decide if 911 needs to be called depending on the type of injury. If the nurse is not immediately available and you need to call 911, it is important that you report: type of injury, condition of the victim, age of the victim, and specific location of the injured person within Hermann Sons Life Camp. Administrative staff will make further arrangements as necessary.

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The Medical Staff should be notified immediately in the event of an allergic reaction. If the allergic reaction is severe, 911 will be called immediately.

Life-threatening injuries such as unconsciousness require an immediate call to 911. Be prepared to report: type of injury, condition of the victim, age of the victim, and specific location of the injured within Hermann Sons Life Camp. Administrative staff will make further arrangements as necessary.

Unless you have a medical degree, you are not permitted to diagnose campers and question the medical course of action prescribed by the medical staff. If you disagree with a diagnosis, please talk to the Camp Director or nurse in private… away from the campers!

EMERGENCY HOSPITAL TRANSPORTATION Hermann Sons Life Camp has a vehicle on site designated as our “emergency Camp vehicle." Before the Camp season, Hermann Sons Life Camp informed the local EMS providers of our location and the number of staff/campers we have on-site. The local EMS provider is less than three miles from Hermann Sons Life Camp before the town of Comfort.

Ensure that the camper has seen the Medical Staff for immediate medical treatment.

Should the Medical Staff feel that hospital attention is required, the Director is notified of the situation and will arrange transportation of the camper.

A member of our medical staff may be asked to drive a car to the hospital. A copy of the camper’s Medical Form will be provided to the appropriate Medical Staff to bring to the hospital The Medical Staff will decide if 911 needs to be called depending on the type of injury. If a Medical Staff is not immediately available and you need to call 911, it is important that you report: type of injury, condition of the victim, age of the victim and specific location of the injured person within Hermann Sons Life Camp. Administrative staff will make further arrangements as necessary.

EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN While most of our staff will not be exposed to blood and bodily fluids, all staff will be trained and certified in the ARC Bloodborne Pathogens training and instructed in the use of the biohazard kits. The proper protocols must be followed in detail.

Biohazard Kits are available in the Clinic:

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Oops Throw-Up Kit Rubber gloves Masks

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Mini broom – dustpan Pail Spray bottle: 1 part bleach to 10 parts water

This information is provided to Camp employees in partial compliance with OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard. It is the intent of the camp to educate people about issues related to exposure to body fluids, to use management techniques and equipment to minimize exposure risks for employees, and to monitor individuals' use of these techniques.

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The Camp program recognizes universal precautions as an effective control measure. This handout describes the application and monitoring of potential sources of risk in the Camp program, the steps taken by Camp to protect employees, and the actions taken by Camp if blood or body fluid exposure occurs.

The Camp’s Medical Staff can reasonably expect to come in contact with blood and other body fluids. The potential for exposure to transmitted diseases is greatest for these staff members.

Members of the Camp Health Care Team are to be orientated to the potential for exposure by Camp's Health Care Administrator.

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A record of who received the education and its content is kept for three years by the administrator.

The orientation includes:

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Identification of risk areas: contact with bloodborne pathogens (e.g., hepatitis, HIV), contact with airborne pathogens (e.g., common cold, TB), contact with surface-borne pathogens (e.g., staph infections).

• Education about the nature of the risk: method of transmission, virulence of pathogens, resistance factors related to potential host, symptoms and information sources which provide clues to potential risk areas.

• Work practices designed to minimize exposure:

o Availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) – gloves, CPR mask, antimicrobial soap,

eye, nose and mouth shield, body fluid spill clean up kits.

o Double bagging via red bag and disposal procedure for hazardous waste.

o Screening individuals who come to the program.

o Requiring participants to provide health information.

o Use of universal precautions by staff.

o Education for people working in risk areas: Health Care Team members, lifeguards, housekeep ing, kitchen staff.

o Hepatitis B vaccination for nurses: Camp pays for vaccinations done by the local provider

during the nurse's contracted time. Camp encourages nonvaccinated nurses to get vaccinated.

o CPR/First Aid and Bloodborne Pathogen training is given to all staff.

o Sharps container provided which has biohazard label affixed.

o Resource personnel to answer questions: Camp Health Care Administrator, Camp supervising

physician and State Department of Health epidemiologist.

• Behavior expected from employees to minimize risk:

o Use of PPE:

o Gloves are used when in contact with body fluids or providing skin treatment (e.g., applying

medication to poison ivy, washing a rash).

o CPR mask is used to provide CPR/artificial respiration.

o Minimum 15-second hand washing with antimicrobial soap after: removing gloves, contact

with potential risk, unprotected contact with any body fluid.

o Minimum 60-second hand washing with antimicrobial soap after blood splash.

o Use of body fluid spill clean up kit.

o Vaccination to protect from Hepatitis B.

o Sharps disposed of properly: no recapping of needles, all sharps (lancets, needles) placed in sharps container immediately after use, full sharps container given to Administrator for disposal through local hospital.

o Participation in education about disease control.

o Immediate report of suspected exposure (e.g., needle stick) to supervisor and Administrator.

o Performing job tasks in a manner which minimizes/eliminates exposure potential.

Evaluation of compliance with the Camp exposure control plan as part of the Camp personnel-management system.

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CAMP COUNSELING STAFF While the potential for exposure to bloodborne pathogens is minimal for general counseling staff, it does exist. The Camp Health Care Plan vests authority in general staff to respond to emergencies at the level of their training while initiating the Camp Emergency Response System. Since Camp emergency response occurs within minutes, the potential for exposure is limited and most likely confined to initiating CPR/artificial respiration and slowing severe bleeding.

In keeping with accepted practices, the Camp Health Care Administrator educates Camp staff during staff development about appropriate response practices:

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Staff are instructed to use a CPR mask for CPR and artificial respiration; masks are kept at the waterfront and Clinic.

Staff are instructed to use gloves when potential for contact with blood or blood tinged fluids exist.

Gloves are in all First Aid Kits. Staff members who want to carry a pair on their person may obtain them from the Clinic.

• Staff are instructed to respond in emergency situations to the level of their training per State Good in all first-aid kits. Staff members who want to carry a pair on their person may obtain them from the are Samaritan regulations.

Clinic.

• Staff are instructed to initiate the Camp Emergency Response System immediately.

• Staff are instructed to respond in emergency situations to the level of their training per State Good Samaritan

• Staff participate in a discussion of "emergency" to establish defining attributes of their response. regulations.

• Staff are educated to approach care of minor injuries from a coaching perspective and specifically • Staff are instructed to initiate the camp emergency response system immediately. directed to refer injured people to the Camp Health Care team if self care is inappropriate or im• Staff participate in a discussion of "emergency" to establish defining attributes of their response. possible.

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Staff are educated to approach care of minor injuries from a coaching perspective and specifically directed to refer injured people to the camp health-care team if self-care is inappropriate or impossible.

POST-EXPOSURE PLAN FOR CAMP Camp employees who haveFOR a blood exposure incident are eligible for follow up treatment.

POST-EXPOSURE PLAN CAMP Follow up is initiated the employee must (within 15 minutes)Follow-up notify is Camp employees who havebya blood exposurewho incident areimmediately eligible for follow-up treatment. the Camp nurse when a blood exposure incident occurs.

The following plan is initiated. initiated by the employee who must immediately (within fifteen minutes) notify the camp nurse when Records of the incident maintained for the plan duration of employment 30 years by are a blood exposure incident are occurs.

The following is initiated.

Records plus of the incident the Camp Director and according to OSHA requirements (i.e., separate from personnel maintained for the duration of employment plus thirty (30) years by the Camp Director and according records).

Camp administration debriefs each incident in anCamp effortadministration to identify ways to im-each to OSHA requirements (i.e., separate from personnel records). debriefs prove the Camp's exposure risk. incident in an effort to identify ways to improve the camp's exposure risk.

Time Line

Employee's Actions

Camp Nurse's Actions

Camp Director's Actions

Within 24 hours

Exposure incident occurs.

Report incident to camp nurse within 15 minutes of happening.

Begin prophylactic treatment.

Complete Workers’ comp form & incident report with camp director.

Notify camp director. Begin 15second scrub of area with bacteriostatic soap, followed by application of disinfectant.

Contact supervising MD and refer client for assessment.

Begin psychosocial support process.

Determine source of contamination; initiate request to have source screened for infectious diseases.

Notify insurance.

Create incident report file with supporting documentation.

Contact mental health professional for employee.

Complete Workers’ Comp & incident report form with employee.

Within next 48 hours

Continue medical follow-up, per MD orders.

Begin counseling support.

Monitor client adjustment to situation; answer questions, as needed. Provide needed care.

Follow testing of source individual as warranted.

Consult with mental health professional to arrange post-camp therapy, per need.

Beyond first three days

Continue post-exposure prophylaxis, as directed by MD. Participate in review of incident.

Participate in review of incident.

Maintain contact with employee to follow incident.

Lead review of incident.

Review incident; adapt camp practices as needed to manage risk, and to minimize chance for repeat of situation.

Maintain records for duration of employment, plus 30 years.

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It is common knowledge that both schools and camps are well known breeding grounds for contagious

CONTAGIOUS DISEASES It is common knowledge that both schools and camps are well known breeding grounds for contagious diseases. Along with a tight screening process it is important that as a Camp we concentrate on making sure that everyone practices good healthy living habits such as:

• Do not share drinks.

• Do not share towels.

• Eat healthily.

• Drink lots of water.

• Be mindful of little coughs and sneezes.

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Sneeze into your sleeve.

Wash your hands often and correctly.

Keep a clean cabin environment.

Correct sanitation procedures.

Rest and sleep.

HOW GERMS SPREAD The main way that illnesses like colds and flu are spread is from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes. This is called "droplet spread."

This can happen when droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air and are deposited on the mouth or nose of people nearby. Sometimes germs can also be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk and then touches his or her own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands. We know that some viruses and bacteria can live two hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs and desks.

HOW TO STOP THE SPREAD OF GERMS In a nutshell:

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Cover your mouth and nose.

Clean your hands often.

Remind the campers about healthy habits.

COVER YOUR COUGH Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Cough or sneeze into a tissue and then throw it away. Cover your cough or sneeze WITH YOUR SLEEVE if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

CORRECT HAND WASHING TECHNIQUES The "Happy Birthday" song helps keep your hands clean? Not exactly. However, it is recommend that when you wash your hands – with soap and warm water – that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. That's about the same time it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice!

SANITIZE YOUR HANDS It is not enough for campers to only sanitize their hands before breakfast, lunch and dinner. Please make sure campers WASH their hands thoroughly before each meal and then use the sanitizer present at the dining hall.

WATER BOTTLES NEW IN 2019  In 2018, as a Camp we purchased +/- 90,000 foam cups. That is a staggering number. In 2019 we hope to cut that number down by well over half by providing both the campers and staff a 32-oz. water bottle.

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Please make sure your campers have their water bottles with them when they leave the cabin, dining hall and activity site. LEAD BY EXAMPLE! Campers and staff must drink at least 4-5 bottles of water daily. As a little added incentive, randomly throughout the week we will select one or two meals where cabins can earn 10 additional bonus points if they have 100% of their campers and staff arrive to the lunch or dinner meals with their water bottle!

CLEAN CABIN ENVIRONMENT At Hermann Sons Life Camp we are very lucky to have a housekeeping staff. As a staff we must do all we can to assist in keeping the cabins clean. This starts with you – the counselor.

The counselor is responsible to keep the cabin neat. Housekeeping can only clean if they can get to the sinks, showers and floors. We must do our part!

CAMPER AND STAFF SHOWERS It is Camp policy that all campers AND STAFF must take AT LEAST ONE SHOWER EVERY DAY. BRUSHING TEETH All campers must brush their teeth in the morning and at night. One simple way to check this is by looking at their toothpaste and toothbrush! This is not optional!

REST After lunch, it is important that all campers rest. This is imperative. All campers must be on their bed resting. Some campers may wish to read. That is okay. During lunch counselors will be instructed how long campers must be on their bed and quiet 30minutes, 45 minutes or the FULL hour.

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Campers aged 11 and younger must be in bed by 10:00 p.m. at the latest.

Campers aged 12-13 and older must be in bed by 10:30 p.m. at the latest.

SUNSCREEN & LIP BALM Hermann Sons Life Camp is located in TEXAS!!!! It is typically very hot and very sunny!

It is important that campers and staff use sunscreen every day. At Hermann Sons Life Camp we will supply sunscreen to both campers and staff who do not have it. Sunscreen is available outside the Clinic and at the dining hall. As a staff member, please assist your campers with the application of sunscreen.

It only takes a day of one camper not using lip balm to have incredibly chapped (and painful) lips. While most campers have lip balm, there will be lip balm or Vaseline available in the clinic.

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DINING HALL PROCEDURES

Hermann Sons Life Camp is proud of the food we offer our campers and staff. It is important that as a Camp professional, you help us create a very positive atmosphere in the dining hall. We actually spend an average of two hours per day in the dining hall.

GENERAL DINING POLICIES • On Hilltop, campers, cabin staff and CITs will sit with their camper cabins and should stay at their

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table throughout the meal. Do not allow your campers to wander.

On Riverside the youngest two cabins will sit by cabin.

Please be punctual.

All meals are cafeteria-style on Hilltop and family-style at Riverside.

Do any of your campers need to take meds at breakfast, lunch or dinner?

Campers are not permitted coffee.

Campers must always eat first. Counselors should always go through the line after their campers.

This way you can see what they are getting.

No staff member ever cuts in line ahead of campers.

Do not leave your campers unattended.

Sanitize each time before you hit the line!

Campers and staff should not leave the dining hall hungry.

It is important that we do not distract the kitchen staff during the meals. They are extremely busy.

If you need anything or have any questions, direct them through the Dining Hall In-Charge. BE FRIENDLY!

HYDRATION Please explain the purpose of this policy to the campers. To prevent dehydration (and the inevitable sickness that follows), campers and staff must drink water.

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Campers AND STAFF may have juice/tea after they have had a minimum two glasses of water. One staff member is then to fill a pitcher of the chosen juice/tea.

Campers AND STAFF are required to carry a water bottle with them from breakfast through dinner.

After each meal, the water bottle should be filled from the Igloos outside the dining hall.

Campers AND STAFF are not permitted to fill individual cups of juice (coffee is the exception). We do not have the space to accommodate all campers and staff getting individual drinks. We must model the behavior we expect from the campers.

VEGETARIANS During staff development we will prepare a list of all staff vegetarians. Our cooks and their staff will prepare enough vegetarian meals for those staff members who are listed as vegetarian. If you are a vegetarian, please indicate this so we may prepare the appropriate meal. We cannot have staff members deciding one meal they are vegetarian and one meal they are not. If you are not vegetarian, please do not eat the vegetarian food – and vice-versa.

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If you have any suggestions on vegetarian meals, please do not be afraid to make these suggestions to the Dining Hall In-Charge or the Camp Director.

WHY DO WE SIT BY CABIN? As a counselor, this is an important time period in the day. Why?

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You are required to insure campers are eating properly at each meal. It is simple neglect to allow campers to not eat something and drink two glasses of water during meals.

It is the perfect time to check in with the campers… how was their morning? Did they enjoy their electives? What electives did they do? How are the campers interacting? Are they making friends?

Is the cabin becoming cliquish? Is a camper becoming dominant? Is a camper quiet and not joining in the activities?

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By paying attention, you will be able to see the natural interactions between campers and be pro-active in working with your campers to insure they have the best week of the year!

This is called ACTIVE SUPERVISION. LEFTOVERS Campers may only get “leftovers” when it has been announced by a Director or Senior Counselor.

Only allow two campers at a time to get “leftovers."

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Campers and staff must get a clean plate when getting “leftovers." This is a State Law. Please instruct your campers to re-use their silverware. Leave the silverware at the table.

Instruct your campers to sanitize their hands each time they approach the serving line.

ANNOUNCEMENTS In order to communicate necessary information, counselors are asked to assist in keeping their cabin quiet during announcements. Counselors must listen to the announcements and relay important information to the campers in their cabin.

TABLE CLEAN-UP RESPONSIBILITIES

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The table must be bussed and wiped down by the cabin.

One camper should take all of the table’s plates to the window.

One camper should take all of the silverware, etc.

Campers may only leave when all campers from their cabin are present and seated.

Food may not be taken out of the dining hall.

Just a quick note: Each year a counselor or two will end up dumpster diving because a camper wrapped their retainer in a napkin and it was thrown out with the trash at the end of a meal!

SERVING RESPONSIBILITIES All staff members (CITs, Junior Counselors, Counselors, Senior Counselors and Directors) will be scheduled to line serve at Hilltop Camp.

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This requires you to get to the dining hall before the campers at breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Please wash your hands after you put on your hairnet and before you put on your gloves.

Do not scratch your nose of put your hands near your mouth or your hair after you have put on your gloves.

Do not eat or drink while working on the line. This is a state law.

Do not slop the food onto the plates.

Raise your hand and alert the Dining Hall In-Charge if you are running low of the item you are serving.

Do not enter the line before the food has been placed in the warmers.

Do not leave until released by the Dining Hall In-Charge.

Bring to the Dining Hall In-charge’s attention any camper who has no food on their plate.

SMILE. Your attitude sets the tone for the meal.

PROFESSIONALISM Please remember that you have an important role in Camp. Our campers look up to you.

If you complain, however mildly about the food this attitude will transfer to the campers.

A simple comment can lead to negative comments regarding the food, variety and quality.

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After a while, you may get a little tired of the “same old food." It is important to be positive in all aspects of camp. Making an average of 1,000 meals per day in a dining hall that is equipped for much less. The kitchen staff do an amazing job. The meals are typically served on a partial 2-week rotation. Any concerns or suggestions you may have about the food can be shared, in private, with the Camp Director and always out of earshot of the campers.

KEEPING THE FACILITY CLEAN Everyone needs to play a part in keeping the Camp clean and sanitary. It is not easy. Hermann Sons Life Camp is a dusty facility! To help assist us in preventing the spread of germs, Hermann Sons Life Camp is very lucky to have a wonderful Housekeeping Staff whose job it is to support us in keeping the facility clean.

The Housekeeping Staff has the following responsibilities:

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Clean all bunk bathrooms. o Check daily for TP/paper towels, etc.

Clean all public bathrooms twice a week. (More if necessary.) o Check daily for TP/paper towels, etc.

Clean the public bathrooms on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Sanitize all doorknobs and handles.

EMERGENCY CLEANING PROCEDURES If there is an outbreak of a contagious nature, the following procedures must be carried out immediately:

• Sanitize area where outbreak occurred using a hospital grade disinfecting spray on all beds, walls and doors;

• Sanitize all bathroom fixtures, showers and toilets, mopping all floors using bleach diluted with

water (2parts bleach to 10 parts water).

• Sanitize all areas where there is public access, i.e. doorknobs, handrails, phones, computer

keyboards, public restrooms on site using a hospital grade disinfecting spray.

• Wipe down all doors and push pull plates, as well as any hand sanitizer/soap dispensers,

sinks/faucet handles etc. using a hospital grade disinfectant spray.

• Wash in hot water any items involved in the incident such as, but not limited to clothing, bedding,

towels and washrags. The use of bleach will be included in the washing process whenever possible.

• Carpets involved in the incident will be cleaned and disinfected as needed.

• Where vomit, excrement or blood is involved all bio-hazard training procedures will be strictly adhered to including the use of, but not limited to personal protection equipment such as gloves, goggles, masks, aprons and Camp-supplied professional clean up kits.

• When deemed advisable by the Camp nurse nuisance masks will be distributed as needed and

directed by the nurse.

Chemicals used:

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Hospital grade disinfectant spray Clorox wipes Bleach (diluted two parts bleach to 10 parts water) where safe and applicable such as hard flooring.

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DAILY CLEANING RESPONSIBILITIES Hermann Sons Life Camp prides itself on operating an exciting summer camp program. In order to run many of these activities, we need to use safety equipment at many or most of the activity sites.

Our job as instructors and first-line care givers is to make sure the equipment is in good working order. Hermann Sons Life Camp requires its instructors to:

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Check the equipment on a daily basis for safety, maintained in good repair and stored in a manner to safeguard its effectiveness.

When putting the equipment on the camper (or staff), ensure it is appropriate to the size and ability of the user.

Prior to each use, check the equipment for safety. * Weekly safety checks.*

* Any equipment that is deemed unsafe is to be immediately taken out of service and the Program Director is to be notified immediately.

Daily job lists are critical for the health and safety of the campers. Cutting corners or skipping a day here or there may well lead to a spread of disease or safety issues not being noticed. Some of the “daily jobs” that lead to a healthy camp are: AT THE ACTIVITY SITES

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Ropes Course and Zip Line helmets and gloves are sprayed with hospital grade disinfectant.

Camp store surfaces are sanitized with Lysol.

All water Igloos are to be collected at the end of each day, cleaned and sanitized.

All eye protection at Riflery is to be cleaned with Clorox wipes.

Pool is to be cleaned daily.

IN THE CABIN

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Campers and staff are required to wash and sanitize their hands before entering the dining hall.

Campers and staff are required to shower at least once each day.

Campers and staff are required to drink two glasses of water at each meal.

Campers and staff are required to carry a water bottle with them at all times. These bottles should be filled at each meal.

Campers and staff are required to eat at all meals.

Campers and staff are required to use sunscreen and lip balm to protect themselves from the harmful effects of the sun.

Both sunscreen and lip balm are provided by the Camp and made available in the Clinic.

All STAFF are required to wear appropriate shoes at all times. Flip-flops are not considered appropriate. Campers should be advised to wear close-toed shoes.

All campers should be supervised 24/7.

Every Friday afternoon, Saturday morning and to some extent Sunday morning, Hermann Sons Life Camp staff makes sure that the Camp is maintained and prepared for the following campers. Our SJ’s or work crews are designed to make sure the Camp is clean, healthy and running safe.

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FRIDAY AFTERNOON WORK CREWS

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Inspection and maintenance of all equipment used in our program areas. Written records of these inspections must be given to the Program Director, or his designee, the same day.

All tumbling mats are to be wiped down with hospital grade disinfectant.

All lost and found water bottles are to be taken to the kitchen to be washed in the commercial dishwasher. These bottles are to be placed in a clean plastic container and taken to the Clinic for distribution.

Hermann Sons Life Camp rifles as well as the inside of the gun safe are to be cleaned and sanitized.

Clorox disinfecting wipes are to be used to sanitize the guns and they must then be cleaned using Remington and Hoppes solvent and cotton balls and finished with Hoppes oil.

Equipment at the Challenge and climbing activity is to be cleaned and sanitized following the procedures, and using the products, approved by the Ropes Course Director.

All surfaces in the offices and staff lounges are to be wiped down with Clorox wipes and sprayed with Lysol.

The refrigerator is to be sanitized and all expired foods items are to be put in the trash.

SATURDAY MORNING WORK CREWS

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Check all cabins using the cabin checklist. This checklist includes testing each fire alarm, checking lights, water, lost and found, radios, fans, sanitizer and more.

Organize the Arts and Crafts shed and prepare supplies for the following week.

Trash pick-up.

Prepare and organize the bulletin boards.

Decorate the dining halls for the theme of the week.

Collect all Lost and Found.

How does the flagging along the road look?

Prepare water bottles for arrival day. Place on the camper’s bed.

Prepare the arrival checklists for the front gate and the pool (swim tests).

Help with traffic control.

SUNDAY WORK CREWS

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Set-up the sound system for Sunday Sundaes.

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ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES STAFF AGREEMENT

Each staff member will receive an Employment Agreement detailing the terms of his/ her employment, job title and description, employment dates, salary and other benefits.

When the Voluntary Disclosure Statement, W-4, I-9, and Health History Form are signed and returned, it represents your intention to join our Camp team and complete the term of employment stated in the Employment Agreement. It also is your commitment to be a responsible staff member, always striving to maintain the high standards required of staff members as addressed in this manual and pre-Camp staff development.

Camp does not offer an employment contract. Camp employment is “at will” and can be terminated by Camp at any time, with or without cause, for any lawful reason. No information in the Staff Manual or any accompanying documents should be misinterpreted as creating some type of binding employment. These documents are merely general guidelines regarding policies, procedures, benefits and an anticipated employment schedule.

Staff Members will be required to be flexible with their employment responsibilities.

This may include (but is not an inclusive list) switching their activities as needed, based upon the number of enrollments. All Staff Members may be required to supervise a cabin group, participate in all activities with enthusiasm, assist with the set-­‐up and break-­‐ down of all events, keep all Camp areas clean, neat and organized and lead assigned Camp programs as directed by the Camp Director with a continuous positive attitude.

It is extremely important to realize that we’re operating a summer program for children and that certain behavior, dress and attitudes acceptable in a college/adult setting would not be appropriate with a group of 9-13-year-olds present. It is important that Hermann Sons Life Camp Staff Members are role models to our campers. If for any reason during the Camp season the services of the Staff Member prove unsatisfactory or said Staff Member maintains an unacceptable appearance or the Staff Member engages in activities unbecoming a Camp Staff Member, it is hereby mutually agreed that the Camp Director’s discretion concerning termination is final and termination of this agreement is effective by notice to employee. Any abusive or other inappropriate behavior such as sexual, child, mental, physical or any other form of abuse or harassment will result in immediate termination and legal action. You are required to make a written report of any such action you observe to the Camp Director or the Executive Director. In the event of dismissal prior to the anticipated end of employment, the salary will be prorated to the date of dismissal and reflect any appropriate deductions.

Hermann Sons Life Camp provides equal opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability.

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PAY SCHEDULE – See Payroll Calendar Employees will receive a paycheck most Saturdays. This check is compensation for satisfactory performance and the net amount will equal the sum stated in the Employment Agreement minus taxes or other deductions. Compensation will generally be on a week-delay system. On-site employees also will receive lodging, meals and use of facilities during the term of employment.

Much time, effort and money is invested in hiring and training staff. These costs are justified only upon the completion of the Staff Member’s summer agreement. Therefore, attendance for staff development will be as a volunteer, without remuneration, and an honorarium equal to the normal compensation for the time spent at this session is contingent upon the entire completion of the term of employment as stated in the Employment Agreement. Attendance for special training or certification courses is strictly as a volunteer. In addition, fees for certification courses will be deducted from the final paycheck for any early departure.

SICK AND PERSONAL LEAVE Requests for personal time off will be handled on an individual basis. Requests should be submitted to the Camp Director. Any time not spent performing regular or reassigned duties will be deducted from your weekly compensation.

ILLNESS, INJURY AND INSURANCE All paid employees are covered under Camp’s Worker’s Compensation policy for accidents that occur in the performance of their duties. Please report all accidents to your supervising director immediately. Any accident which occurs during free time or during any activity outside one’s regular duties or any illness considered an ordinary disease of life is the responsibility of the employee and is not covered by Camp insurance.

HEALTH HISTORY It is required that all employees update their health history on the form provided by Camp within six months of their start date. Camp does not require a physical exam.

EMPLOYMENT HOURS AND TIME OFF Staff Members are required to be on Camp and performing assigned duties at all times except during scheduled off time.

• Off-site Staff Members are employed for a 32- to 40-hour work week. When the day’s work is

completed, off-site staff must leave the facility.

• On-Site Staff Members are employed for a 16-hour day, six-day work week. On-site staff members

are provided with housing, meals and access to facilities. Some on-site staff members may work a

modified shift.

On-site Staff Members may not leave Camp at any time between 11:30 a.m. on Sunday and 1:00 p.m. on Saturday without permission from their immediate supervising director.

If you plan to be on Camp during the weekend, please inform the senior staff member in charge so provisions can be made for your safety.

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Counselors and other On-site Staff Members who are 18 years of age or older will receive one evening off each week from dinner time to 11:30 p.m. when they may leave Camp.

Staff members must sign out and check back in with the Camp Director or Assistant Camp Director.

Junior Counselors and other 17-year-old staff members also will receive designated time off (usually Friday from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.) to leave Camp.

All 17-year-old staff members must have a permission slip (for minor On-site Staff Members) on file. Staff members under the age of 17 may not leave Camp unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Junior Counselors and other 17-year-old staff members also will receive designated time off (usually Friday from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.) to leave Camp.

All members receivemust additional during or after lights out that All staff 17-year-old staffwill members have a breaks permission slip rest (for periods minor on-site staff members) on must be spent on Camp.

Persons reporting to Camp late from time off or missing curfew file. Staff members under the age of 17 may not leave Camp unless accompanied by a parent or will be subject to disciplinary action. guardian.

All staff members will receive additional breaks during rest periods or after lights out that must be

COUNSELOR OFF-TIME SCHEDULE spent on Camp.

Persons reporting to Camp late from time off or missing curfew will be subject to Counselors are divided into four duty groups. These groups are named 1, 2, 3 and 4. disciplinary action.

COUNSELOR SCHEDULE The needs of theOFF-TIME campers are paramount in our scheduling of groups. Requests must be Counselors are divided into four duty groups.

These groups are named 1, 2, 3 and 4. made before Friday of the preceding week.

Once the schedule has been established, only the can change the schedule.

The Camp needs Director of the campers are paramount in our scheduling of groups. Requests must be made

before Friday of the preceding week. Once the schedule has been established, only the Camp Director can change the schedule.

LEAVING CAMP GROUNDS

During following two time-off periods, counselors are permitted to leave Camp LEAVINGthe CAMP GROUNDS grounds after signing out at the periods, Camp Office.

During the following two time-off counselors are permitted to leave camp grounds after

signing • out Eachatgroup has one night-off each week. (Called an off-off.) the camp office.

• Each o group Time-off begins after each your week. campers have has one night-off (Called anentered off-off). the dining hall for dinner.

o oCounselors must sign-in by 12:15 a.m.

Time-off begins after your campers have entered the dining hall for dinner.

• On o the weekend, typically Counselorscounselors must sign-inare by 12:15 a.m.released before noon on Saturday and expected to return • On at 11:30 a.m. oncounselors Sunday morning. the weekend, are typically released before noon on Saturday and expected to return at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday morning.

TIME-OFF ONCAMP CAMP GROUNDS TIME-OFF ON GROUNDS time-off, ourour staffstaff will also receive In addition additiontotothe theabove above time-off, will also receive:

th •• Every rest period off off dutyduty (After lunchlunch – Until period Everyother other rest period (After – 4Until 4th begins) period and begins) and •• Every night-off after lights out.out.

Between 10:0010:00 p.m. and Everyother other night-off after lights Between p.m.12:15 and a.m.

12:15 a.m.

These time-off must be be taken on-site.

These time-offperiods periods must taken on-site.

`19 Time-Off Schedule

Group One

Sunday

Group Two

Group Three Group Four

All Staff are on-duty!

Monday

Off-Off

Rest Period

Lights-Out

Rest Period

Tuesday

Rest Period

Off-Off

Rest Period

Lights-Out

Wednesday

Lights-Out

Rest Period

Off-Off

Rest Period

Thursday

Rest Period

Lights-Out

Rest Period

Off-Off

Friday

Lights-Out

Rest Period

Lights-Out

Rest Period

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2019 Administrative Policies

PERFORMANCE COACHING & APPRAISALS Performance coaching is used as a communication tool to evaluate performance and takes place constantly. Performance coaching will:

•

•

• •

•

Strengthen the supervisor/staff relationship Recognize and reward a staff member’s strengths Re-emphasize work standards and requirements Recognize and reward satisfactory performance Recognize and correct deficiencies

A written reprimand may be given for serious infractions or minor infractions that are not corrected after verbal reminders.

Staff members will receive an appraisal by the Camp Director or his or her immediate supervisor near the end of their final session during the exit interview.

EXIT INTERVIEWS Evaluation is not a one-way street. Hermann Sons Life Camp is determined to improve the quality of the camper and staff member’s summer camp experience. All staff will receive an exit interview with their Camp Director.

One week prior to their departure, staff members will receive a Staff Questionnaire. We ask that the staff member help us improve the quality of the Camp experience by providing honest and constructive feedback on the Camp, our policies and procedures, their supervisors and, where possible provide suggestions on how the Camp can improve. Your feedback will be welcomed and valued.

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STAFF MEMBER’S NAME: _______________________________ Session __________ This form is to be completed for each counselor/instructor by the Senior Counselors and other supervising staff members.

All items are weighted differently. This form is kept as a permanent record and placed in the staff member’s file.

• •

There must be ONE evaluation completed before the end of the second week.

THERE MUST BE A FINAL EVALUATION TURNED IN BY THE END OF CAMP.

Task

Exceeds Expectations

Meets Expectations

Needs Improvement

Comments

Enforce established rules for the cabin: Curfews, camper cleanliness, water bottles, dining hall, campers dressed appropriately, confronts misbehavior, etc.

Practices ACTIVE SUPERVISION: Learns campers’ names, engages and plays with campers in activities, avoids favoritism, shows knowledge of campers in the cabin, etc.

CAMPER – AGE SKILLS: Balances role of friend and leader, mediates disputes amongst campers, ability to relate to campers, ability to build camper enthusiasm, etc.

General approach to Camp Is warm and friendly, shows initiative, takes the lead when necessary, ability to work with other staff members, wears costumes (when appropriate), pitches in to help other staff, etc.

Camp Management: Punctuality, cooperation with supervisors, loyalty to Camp management, care of Camp property, personal appearance, compliance with Camp rules, etc.

Comments (If any, from campers)________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________

COMMENTS _______________________________________________________________________________ STAFF MEMBER’S COMMENTS

_________________________________ _____________ ________________________________

Staff Member’s Signature…

Date …

Evaluated By (Print Name)

55 Administrative Policies 2019 /// 2.15.19 /// 11:05 a.m.

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2019 Administrative Policies

ACTIVITY OBSERVATION FORM

It is expected that all Saff Members are observed at a specialized activity site at least once during the first two weeks of Camp, twice in the first FOUR weeks and twice in the second FIVE weeks. All forms are to be given to the Program Director at the end of each day.

Staff Member

Elective: P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6

Activity Observed

Supervisor Exceeds Expectations

Task

Meets Expectations

Needs Improvement

Not Applicable

Enforces established safety regulations?

Provides appropriate instruction to participants?

Identifies and manages environmental and other hazards related to the activity?

Applies appropriate emergency procedures related to the activity and the participants?

Provided the campers with a safety orientation before the activity began?

Is the staff member actively supervising the campers?

Are the campers engaged in the activity?

Are the campers having fun at the activity site?

How do you rate the staff member’s performance?

Comments:_________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Has the form been reviewed with the staff member?

YES

NO

Any Staff receiving a NEEDS IMPROVEMENT must have the issue discussed and the form initialed in the comments section.

Staff Member’s Signature Date Supervisor

This form has been developed with the kind assistance of the

56 Administrative Policies 2019 /// 2.15.19 /// 11:05 a.m.

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STAFF AND CAMPER CONTACT & RELATIONS

Physical abuse (including but not limited to striking, spanking, slapping, shaking, unreasonable force) and sexual abuse (including but not limited to sexual contact, inappropriate touching, exposing yourself to children or viewing children for sexual gratification, or language or comments of an extreme sexual nature) will not be tolerated and will result in immediate dismissal. Emotional abuse (including but not limited to demeaning actions, inappropriate comments, language or vocal tone, physically strenuous or inappropriate discipline, or any behavior which is disrespectful or humiliating to the child) can lower a child’s self-esteem, is not acceptable behavior for staff members, and will result in disciplinary action that may include dismissal.

It is not only the staff member’s duty to avoid abusive actions but also not to tolerate such behavior from other staff members, campers or guests.

Texas law requires that all citizens report any suspected abuse or neglect of a child to the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services or a law enforcement agency.

Therefore, Camp staff should immediately report any suspected abuse or neglect to the Camp Director or Executive Camp Director for action.

Avoid situations of isolation with campers and the potential for unwarranted accusations.

No staff member should ever be alone with a camper where others cannot see. The Rule of Two. Only counselors and other activity program staff may deal with issues of camper discipline.

Relationships between campers and staff should be conducted with respect to the nature of our business and the high standards of Camp. Socialization or other contact with campers outside of Camp (other than postcards) is not allowed. Do not share your phone number with campers. The only type of relationship that is permitted between a staff member and a camper (or past camper under the age of 18) is a Camp leadership relationship.

INTERNET POLICY Socializing with campers on the Internet is not permitted. Doing so could result in disciplinary action. This means do not share your personal email address or screen name with campers or past campers. Do not permit campers or past campers to have access to your pages or photos on any social networking site. This includes individuals in the Counselor-in-Training program.

No staff member or past staff member may use the Camp’s name or logos to create any Internet site. In addition, do not use any reference to Camp or pictures taken at Camp in a way that may negatively affect the high standards of Camp or which may appear with or be linked to other language or pictures that do not reflect the high standards of Camp.

Never post photos of campers on the Internet.

Please remember the Internet is public space. Your behavior online is, ultimately, not private. Let this guide you to make good decisions for Camp and our campers.

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2019 Administrative Policies

ALCOHOL AND ILLEGAL DRUGS All staff members are expected to abide by state and national laws governing the possession and use of alcohol and illegal drugs throughout the term of their employment. Any violation of these rules could result in disciplinary action that may include termination of employment. Illegal behavior during the rest of the year can also impact future employment.

Alcohol and illegal drugs may not be brought on Camp property. Any violation of this rule will result in immediate termination of employment.

Staff members who are 21 years of age or older may only consume alcohol in moderation because of their Camp responsibilities. It is imperative that staff members remain sober in performance of their duties.

Staff members may be required to pass drug tests as a condition on employment.

In the event a camper is found to be in possession of alcohol or illegal drugs, under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, or to have used alcohol or illegal drugs on Camp, notify the Camp Director or Assistant Camp Director immediately so the appropriate action can be taken.

TOBACCO Camp is a tobacco-free environment. Tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vapes, are not to be brought to Camp.

SOCIALLY SENSITIVE ISSUES Staff members will not discuss socially sensitive issues (which may include drugs, body piercing and art, sexuality, religion, politics or the personal lives of staff) in areas where campers may overhear it or in staff groups where such discussion might prove inflammatory. Do not permit discussion among campers that is inappropriate or may become disruptive to Camp. If a camper has a question of a socially sensitive nature, listen and then seek help from a senior staff member.

CAMP RELATIONSHIPS Camp discourages any relationship between staff that distracts and interferes with duties and responsibilities. All personal relationships should be conducted with respect to the nature of our business and the high standards of Camp. Sexual contact between staff members while on Camp property, even during time off away from campers, is considered inappropriate conduct and will result in disciplinary action that may include dismissal.

Campers should never be aware of any romantic relationships among staff members.

CONDUCT UNBECOMING A STAFF MEMBER Insubordination, gross misconduct, fighting, neglect or absence from assigned responsibilities, inappropriate language or actions, damage or unauthorized use of Camp facilities or property, theft, bullying, and violation of the law or Camp rules will result in disciplinary action that may include termination. In addition, a staff member’s actions toward other staff members should always be professional.

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As a Hermann Sons Life Camp staff member, you represent Camp before, during and after the season. How you behave is a reflection on both you and Camp, especially when you are at Camp, wearing Camp gear outside of Camp, gathered with Camp friends or talking about Camp online.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual behaviors, slurs, jokes and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. It becomes unlawful when:

•

•

•

Submission to such conduct is explicitly or implicitly a condition of an individual’s employment; or Submission to or rejection of such conduct affects the employee’s job; or Such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s job performance, off-time relaxation, or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.

Hermann Sons Life Camp makes every effort to keep the workplace free from the threat of sexual harassment. If you feel you have been sexually harassed or have been subjected to an environment of an unwelcome sexual nature report it immediately to the Executive Camp Director, Camp Director or any staff member who can assist you in making the report. All reports will be investigated promptly.

STANDARDS OF DRESS Staff appearance effects camper perceptions, parent impressions and Camp’s image.

•

•

•

•

•

•

A staff member’s appearance should be neat and properly groomed at all times and may not c hange significantly during a session.

Hair must be neat and clean and worn in a style conducive to Camp’s image. Men’s facial hair must be kept neat and trimmed.

Clothing worn by staff must be tasteful and reflect the positive image of Camp. Clothing which contains logos or inferences about alcohol, drugs or messages of a violent or sexual nature is not allowed. Swimsuits may be stylish but not extreme. All staff must wear shoes outdoors.

Other than earrings, no jewelry requiring body piercing will be visible at any time on Camp property. Decisions concerning the number and style of ear piercings and adornment shall be at the discretion of the Camp Director.

Tattoos deemed inappropriate or distracting will be kept covered at all times.

Your supervising director may require additional job-specific policies. All decisions concerning appropriate standards of dress are at the discretion of the Executive Camp Director.

MEDICATIONS AND CLINIC VISITS All on-site staff medication, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, must be turned in to the Health Manager and stored in the Clinic. Staff may administer their own medication, but only with permission from the Health Manager and only at prescribed times. Staff under the age of 18 must have their medication administered by the Health Manager. A sign-in log is kept in the Clinic for staff visits. Report all injuries and illnesses to your supervising director. Camp will not be held responsible for any injuries that are not reported appropriately. All medication brought to Camp by off-site staff must be in its original container and stored away from campers.

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2019 Administrative Policies

VISITATION AND GUESTS Greet all visitors to Camp and direct them to check in with the office. All visitors (including staff not currently employed and Home Office dignitaries) must check in with the Camp Director, Assistant Camp Director, Senior Counselor or Program Assistant upon arriving at Camp.

All guests are required to sign in and are issued a guest badge that they are required to wear during their stay. No terminated or former staff members may visit Camp without advance permission from the Executive Camp Director.

Friends and relatives are discouraged from visiting during the week. On-site staff may have weekend guests. Staff members are responsible for their guests adhering to the rules of Camp. Weekend guests may use all facilities. All guests must be off camp property by 7:00 p.m. including days prior to Camp’s opening, during Camp, and after Camp’s closing.

Guests of the opposite sex are not allowed in any of the living quarters.

Staff from one site may visit staff on the other site on weekends but must be off site by 10:00 p.m. Staff may not visit the other site during the week while Camp is in session.

Staff may pick up other staff members for Off-Off but must meet in the office. Staff should never travel the back road between sites without permission from the Camp Director.

STAFF’S CHILDREN ON CAMP Children of off-site staff are not allowed at Camp.

Children of on-site staff • Ages 0-6 - Not allowed at Camp.

•

•

•

(Children of Director’s staff may be permitted to stay with additional supervision) 7 year-olds - Participate in Camp program.

(Do not live in dorms and have defined schedule) Register with Executive Camp Director.

2 weeks maximum (one each half) 8-14 year-olds - Participate in Camp program.

(Live in dorms and have defined schedule) If eligible for attendance must register for first week through Home Office and additional weeks with Executive Camp Director.

15 & older - Camp volunteer work with special permission from Executive Director and if at Camp for more than two weeks.

Please notify the Executive Director of any children visiting Camp.

VEHICULAR TRAFFIC ON CAMP Rules governing vehicular traffic on Camp are developed for the safety of the campers and others on Camp. These guidelines for traffic control must be followed.

•

•

•

•

Vehicle speeds on Camp should never exceed 10 mph.

A staff member must possess a valid driver’s license and current auto liability insurance to drive on Camp property.

Staff will be given a designated parking area for their vehicles. These vehicles may be used only during time off.

Staff should not use the service road between sites unless for Camp business. The speed limit for this road is 15 mph. Staff may not use their vehicles to drive to The Spot.

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•

•

•

•

•

Campers may not be transported by staff (even in their personal vehicles) without permission from the Camp Director.

No one shall be transported in the back of a pickup on any public road (except for maintenance workers on our private roads).

Camp owned vehicles, including the tractor, should not be driven without permission from the Camp Director.

Be careful pulling out of the Riverside maintenance gate. Limited visibility makes it very dangerous.

Delivery trucks, parents, and visitors are not exempt from the rules governing vehicle speed.

Letters are sent to the different companies explaining our rules. Notify the office of violators.

Do not attempt to cross any bridge or other area where water is over the road. Use alternate high-water routes when necessary.

PERSONAL POSSESSIONS Cell phones may be used only during scheduled off time and only in designated areas.

Small personal handheld music systems are permitted but must be used according to camp policy. Televisions, portable DVD players and computers are not permitted. Music, clothing, video, reading or other materials that are sexually explicit, profane or deemed inappropriate for the camp environment will not be permitted at camp. Personal vehicles must be parked in assigned areas. The vehicle and its contents are subject to all rules and policies of camp. Pets are not permitted at camp. Camp assumes no responsibility for personal property lost, stolen or destroyed.

SPOT RULES A site for staff from each camp to gather together is located between Riverside and Hilltop. Only on-site staff may use the Spot. Off-site staff, CITs and visitors are not allowed.

The following Spot rules must be followed at all times.

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Spot usage times are Monday through Thursday – After lunch – back on camp by 2:30 p.m.

10 p.m. – back on Camp by 12:15 a.m.

Sign out on the clipboard/white board on your site Stay in the designated area, stay out of the barn Walk only – do not drive to the Spot Please stay quiet – the Spot is very close to the Retirement Home Fires only with permission from the Executive Director and only in designated areas Keep the area neat and clean

CURFEW All on-site staff must be in their own dorm and in their own bed no later than 12:30 a.m. unless otherwise indicated by the Camp Director. Off-site staff must leave Camp immediately after their shift

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2019 Administrative Policies

PRANKS – NEW IN 2019 Pranks are not permitted at Hermann Sons Life Camp. It is important to realize we are role models for the campers and junior staff members. When we discuss table manners, take what you want, eat what you take, instruct campers not to play with food, it is then hypocritical for us as a staff to punch sandwiches. While there has been a general rule regarding pranks between staff members being permitted, that is no longer the case. Staff members are not permitted to play practical jokes on other staff members while working.

This includes sandwich punching.

PHONE All Camp phones are for Camp business only. Personal cell phones must be kept out of the sight of campers and may only be used during scheduled off time and only in designated calling areas. Music should not be played at activities from a cell phone.

GIFTS No employee will accept money or expensive gifts from campers or their parents. If you receive a gift notify the Camp Director. No employee shall sell or trade with campers.

GAMBLING Gambling is prohibited unless specifically instructed by the Camp Director.

SNACKS Staff should not eat or drink snacks in front of campers that are not available to campers through the Camp program. Save them for your time off.

WEAPONS AND EXPLOSIVES The possession of guns, knives or other weapons on Camp property is prohibited. OLS and craft knives may be permitted at the discretion of the Camp Director. Explosives are prohibited. Use of fireworks is permitted only under consent of the Camp Director. Model rocket engines should be used only under strict activity guidelines and supervision of the craft specialist.

LOUNGE RULES A lounge is provided on each Camp for off time use of on-site staff. The lounge has a refrigerator, microwave, TV and a DVD player. Please keep the lounge neat and clean at all times. No R-rated movies are permitted before 10:00 p.m. and then only for staff 17 or older. CITs do not have lounge privileges unless with their CIT counselors.

RESTRICTED AREAS The following areas are off limits at night or during non-program times

• Administrative offices • Canteen

• Private residences or quarters (except by invitation) • Kitchen

• Any place outside the immediate Camp area, excluding The Spot (for example, the other site, the

river, barn, OLS site, road to other site, etc.)

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CAMP STAFF GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION

Camp is more than a fun way for kids to spend their summer. Camp is a place where we can make a positive difference in young peoples' lives. All of the activities at Camp are tools that provide opportunities for children to build new skills, form friendships and grow socially. If our staff is successful, campers will gain self-esteem and self-confidence through their experiences and adventures at Camp.

Therefore, it is incumbent upon the Camp manageCOUNSELOR & ACTIVITY INSTRUCTOR ment to employ individuals who are not only mature JOB DESCRIPTION Camp staff members serve as the primary adult responsible for the campers in Camp. In an intense living environment, as a Camp staff member.

• You will wake up early!

• You will help motivate and assist your campers with cabin clean-up. This may involve cleaning the showers, toilets and sinks.

• You will take your campers to breakfast!

• You will work your assigned activities in the morning!

• You will eat lunch with and actively

supervise your campers!

• You will actively supervise your campers

during rest period!

• You will ensure they are dressed

appropriately for their afternoon electives!

• You will work at your assigned activities in

the afternoon!

• You will get your campers prepared for dinner!

• You will eat dinner with and actively

supervise your campers!

• You will get your cabin’s skit prepared for

the evening activity!

• You will go on stage with your campers!

• You will cheer and root for all campers!

• You will take your campers back to the cabin!

• You will go to bed late after consoling a

homesick camper.

• You will be woken up at 2:00 a.m.

with a sick camper! and you will do it all again tomorrow!

STAFF BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS

Our experience has taught us that successful activity instructors are typically hard working, motivated individuals with "child-centered" sensitivity and attitudes/values consistent with our Camp mission.

These are the type of individuals we are seeking to fill our staff at Hermann Sons Life Camp.

Taking care of another person's child is an enormous responsibility. Therefore, working as an instructor/ counselor is an extremely important job. But Camp staff members do more than care for and protect their campers. Counselors/instructors are significant role models who deeply affect the lives of the children for whom they have responsibility. How they act has a profound impact on the campers' lives.

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enough to recognize the extent of their responsibility for the health and welfare of their campers, but also perceptive and sensitive to their responsibilities as a role model in a children's summer camp setting.

• Practice clean communication.

• Adhere to Camp uniform policy.

• Act as a mentor to counselors-in-training

and junior staff members.

• Camp staff must under no circumstance be

under the influence of or in possession of

any drugs, alcohol or tobacco products.

• Ability to accept supervision and guidance.

CLEAN COMMUNICATION

The staff member, to help insure a positive and healthy work environment, will not gossip about campers, counselors and supervisors.

• Complaints and concerns go UP the chain

of command.

• Disparaging remarks about others are not

permitted.

• Camp staff will not use objectional

language.

• The staff member will always participate in

the assigned activities with enthusiasm.

• A positive attitude is a must!!!

• Staff members will always ask for help

when they need it.

• Staff members will always ask questions if

they do not understand.

• The staff member in a position of

responsibility must always think before

they act.

HERMANN SONS LIFE CAMP’S DAILY PROGRAM

The Daily Activity Program at Hermann Sons Life Camp features an ‘‘elective" program for all campers.

All college-enrolled staff instructors are assigned to cabins and reside with campers together with three or four other counselors. An instructor must enjoy working with children and have the strong desire to act as an excellent role model for our campers.

Each camper is scheduled to attend six 45-minute activity periods each day (Monday-Thursday). Our programs are designed to be primarily instructional with some free play.

2019 Administrative Policies

Instructors are expected to take care of and maintain the Camp’s equipment. Also, it is expected that the Instructor(s) will keep the facility, and storage sheds clean and neat.

Staff members are expected to bring to Camp a watch for use in their employment. Please note: Cell phone usage by staff members is restricted at Camp to certain times and locations (never in front of the campers) so the cell phone cannot satisfy the watch requirement.

Prior to attending the Camp's staff development week, the staff member is expected to read the Camp's Staff Manual which will be posted online in early May. Staff members are required to be on Camp and performing assigned duties at all times except during scheduled off time.

Off-site staff members are employed for a 32 to 40 hour work week. When the day’s work is completed, off-site staff must leave the facility.

On-site staff members are employed for a 15-hour day, six-day work week. On-site staff members are provided with housing, meals and access to facilities. Some on-site staff members may work a modified shift.

On-site staff members may not leave Camp at any time between noon on Sunday and noon on Saturday without permission from their immediate supervising director. If you plan to be on Camp during the weekend, please inform the senior staff member in charge so provisions can be made for your safety.

Counselors and other on-site staff members who are 18 years of age or older will receive one evening off each week (Off-Off) when they may leave Camp.

Staff members must sign out and check back in with the Camp Director or Assistant Camp Director. Junior Counselors and other 17-year-old staff members also will receive designated time off (usually Friday from 3-8 p.m.) to leave Camp. All 17-year-old staff members must have a permission slip (for minor onsite staff members) on file. Staff members under the age of 17 may not leave Camp unless accompanied by a parent or Director’s staff member.

All staff members will receive additional breaks during rest periods or after lights out that must be spent on Camp. Persons reporting to Camp late from time off or missing curfew will be subject to disciplinary action.

• •

•

•

INSTRUCTOR ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Serve the campers as a positive role model.

Camp staff members will actively supervise campers both in assigned cabins and at assigned daily activity sites and during the evening activity programs.

All campers should feel comfortable, safe and included.

Learn the likes and dislikes of each camper in your care by showing genuine interest.

2019 Administrative Policies

•

•

•

•

•

• •

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Recognize and respond to the opportunities for problem solving in the group.

The counselor is responsible for the health, s afety and welfare of each camper within their cabin group and with whom they come into contact. E.g. drinking water, daily showers, teeth brushing, active supervision during rest period, application of sunscreen and lip balm, appropriate attire for the activity they will be attending, etc.

Develop opportunities for positive interaction between campers and staff Provide opportunities for each individual to experience success during Camp.

Carry out established roles in enforcing Camp safety regulations.

Know where your campers are at all times.

The staff member must never leave campers unsupervised.

Ability to communicate and train campers in activity safety regulations and emergency procedures.

Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to the activity.

Ability to communicate and work with groups participating (age and skill levels) and provide ecessary instruction to campers and/or staff.

Physical strength to spot and attend to campers and/or staff who need assistance.

Ability to observe camper behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behavior-management techniques.

Physical ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid.

Cognitive and communication abilities to plan and conduct the activity to achieve camper development objectives.

•

•

•

The job description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the only duties, responsibilities and qualifications for this job. Incumbent may be required to follow any related instructions, acquire related job skills and perform other related work as required by the Camp director or his/her designees.

The staff member agrees to follow all Camp rules, regulations and policies stated here, in the staff contract and in the staff manual.

The staff member is expected to maintain standards of mandatory reporting. This includes reporting all questionable incidents pertaining to a child or staff member’s actions.

IN SUMMARY

I have reviewed the job description and am fully aware that this position is not about me and agree that the campers needs, wants and desires come first during the entire length of the Agreement.

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June 2019 – Aug 2019 PAYROLL CALENDAR Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wed

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

2 Pre-Camp

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10 Turn in

11

12

13

14

15

Staff Development

Payroll for PC

Paid for Pre-Camp

Paid for Pre-Camp

21

22

Paid for SD

Paid for SD

28

29

Paid for Week #1

Paid for Week #1

Year-Round Staff Payroll 16

17

18

19

20

Week #1 23

24 Turn in

Week #2

Payroll for #1

25

26

27

Year-Round Staff Payroll 30 Grief Week 7 Week #4 14 Week #5 21 Week #6 28 Week #7

1 Turn in Payroll for #2

2

3

4

5

6 Paid for Week #2

8 Turn in Payroll GW

9 YearRound Staff Payroll

10

15 Turn in Payroll for #4

16

17

22 Turn in Payroll for #5

23

29 Turn in Payroll for #6

30

24

31

11

Paid for Week #2

12

13

Paid for GW

Paid for GW

19

20

Paid for Week #4

Paid for Week #4

25 YearRound Staff Payroll

26

27

Paid for Week #5

Paid for Week #5

1

2

3

Paid for Week #6

Paid for Week #6

18

4 Post Camp

5 Turn in Payroll for #7

6

7

8

9 Paid for Week #7 Year-Round Staff Payroll

10 Paid for Week #7

8

9 Turn in Payroll for Post-Camp

10

11

12

13 Checks Mailed for Post-Camp

14 Checks Mailed for Post-Camp

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2019 Administrative Policies

PAYROLL POLICIES 2019 • Employees are paid weekly, on a week delay system. For example, if an employee works June 2-8, that employee will not get paid until June 14. After working June 2-8, that employee’s hours are submitted on the following Monday and they are processed to be given out on the Friday or Saturday depending on the employee’s work shift (evening kitchen workers and clinic assistants are able to get their paychecks on Friday since they do not work Saturday).

• Hourly employees are not paid for their time eating meals. Meal times are calculated in the following ways: Breakfast = 15 minutes, Lunch = 30 minutes, Supper = 30 minutes. These are required breaks.

• Employees are not paid for their staff training time unless they successfully fulfill their employment agreement with Hermann Sons Life Camp. Payment for staff training time will occur at the end of the employment term.

• When on-site staff misses work, their pay for time not worked is calculated in ¼-day increments.

• A W-4 for the current summer must be submitted at least seven days before a payroll is run (the Monday before paychecks are issued) in order to receive a check.

• If an employee needs a check to be reissued because it is lost, a $25 fee is charged to the employee and a 30-day waiting period is observed. Once the check is reissued after the waiting period, the employee must first give $25 cash or check (made out to Hermann Sons Life) to receive the new check. The $25 is charged to cover the $25 charge we incur for issuing a “stop payment” on the original check.

• All employees should make sure that the address on their checks is correct. In many cases, the last paycheck of the summer is mailed. Additionally, if employment is terminated before the end of his/her employment agreement, that person’s check is mailed.

• All W-2’s are also sent to the address on the check. It is the employee’s responsibility to ensure current contact information is given to Camp administration.

I acknowledge that I have read and understand the policies for how I will receive my paychecks. ___________________________________ Signature ___________________________________ Date ___________________________________ Printed Name

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EMERGENCY PROCEDURES The foundation of a safe Camp is a fully prepared Camp counselor. The following pages are designed to help prepare you for the worst possible emergencies on Camp. It is important that you understand these procedures.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

Risk Management is the term that describes the constant effort to make our Camp program safer and to help staff members understand their vital role in this process. Better The foundation a safe camp is amore fully prepared camp counselor.

The foresight following pages are what risk training, betterofsupervision, anticipation, and clearer – that’s designed to help prepare you for the worst possible emergencies on camp. It is important that you management is all about. Risk is an inherent part of our work. Interactions with the natuunderstand these procedures. ral and man-made environment coupled with the involvement of young people in various Risk Management is the that describes the constant effort make our Camp program safer activities presents theterm potential for accidental injury.

Wetocan never eliminate risk, but we and to help staff members understand their vital role in this process.

Better training, better can manage it. supervision, more anticipation, and clearer foresight – that’s what risk management is all about.

Risk is an inherent part of our work. Interactions with the natural and man-made environment Accidents cannot! coupled with the involvement of younghappen, people innegligence various activities presents the potential for accidental injury. We can never eliminate risk, but we can manage it.

GENERAL INFORMATION Accidents happen, negligence cannot!

There are many types of emergencies that may arise during the summer, some more seriGENERAL INFORMATION ous than others.

YOUR reaction and actions are critical in these situations. typesthat of emergencies thatatmay arise campers during the some more serious There • are It ismany important you remain calm all times; willsummer, look at you for guidance. than others.

YOUR reaction and actions are critical in these situations.

• It is important that you keep the campers together in a safe environment at all times. As soon as It is important yougroup remainout calmofatthe all times; campers • possible, clearthat your incident area.will look at you for guidance.

• It is important that you keep the campers together in a safe environment at all times. As soon as

• If necessary, solicit the assistance of another counselor to supervise your group while you handle possible, clear your group out of the incident area.

• the emergency. If you hear emergency signals, it is important that you stop your activity and If necessary, solicit the assistance of another counselor to supervise your group while you handle

proceed as instructed on these pages. the emergency.

If you hear emergency signals, it is important that you stop your activity and

• Immediately reporton any accident proceed as instructed these pages. or injury sustained by a camper to the Camp Medical Staff and • help them fill out any an Accident/Incident ReportbyForm.

Immediately report accident or injury sustained a camper to the camp medical staff medical staff and help them fill out an Accident/Incident Report Form.

RADIO RADIOSIGNALS SIGNALS It is important using thethe radio, we must at all times discreet.

Never useNever a camper’s It is importantwhen when using radio, we must at allbe times be discreet. use afull campname the radio.

Useradio. the camper’s firstcamper’s name andfirst last name initial with name.

Youthe canbunk er’s fullover name over the Use the andthe lastbunk initial with be discreet information needed the correct staff. name.

You and canget bethe discreet and get the to information needed to the correct staff.

CODE CALL

PURPOSE

BLUE

Emergency Call for the Medical Staff

RED

Lockdown / Imminent danger to campers & staff

ORANGE

Fire sighting

BLACK

Intruder / Stranger

AMBER

Missing Camper

BROWN

#2 Accident

YELLOW

#1 Accident Emergency Procedures 2019 /// 4.15.19 ///8:00p.m.

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2019 Emergency Procedures

AUTHORIZED AND UN-AUTHORIZED PEOPLE ON CAMP Our Camp visitation policy states: • All visitors (including past staff and Home Office dignitaries) must check in with the office upon arriving at Camp.

• All past staff member visits must be approved by the Executive Director.

• All guests are issued a guest badge that they are required to wear during their stay.

• All visitors are required to be off Camp property by 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise arranged with the Executive Camp Director.

Some common visitors to Camp include camper’s parents, past staff, friends or family of staff, and Hermann Sons Life dignitaries. Greet all visits to Camp and escort them to check in with the office. They must check in with a senior staff member before visiting with campers or staff. If they are unwilling to follow these directives notify the office.

An unauthorized visitor (intruder) is someone who is not authorized by the Executive Director or Camp Directors to be on-site.

•

This could be anyone who comes to Camp at an unusual time or is uncooperative or acts strangely around campers or staff. An unauthorized visitor could be anyone from a non-custodial parent to a vagrant wandering onto Camp.

Under no circumstances should you investigate any unusual situation yourself. Immediately report any suspicious person or activity to a senior staff member. Be alert during Sunday check-in and Saturday check-out when large groups of visitors are on Camp.

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES Never investigate an unusual situation alone. Notify the Camp Director or Assistant Camp Director. Do not hesitate to call the Kerr County Sheriff’s Department for assistance if you feel it necessary.

ACTIVE SHOOTER We will review an active shooter drill during staff development. The three main components of an active shooter policy are:

•

•

•

RUN/ESCAPE – If possible put as much distance between yourself and the shooting incident.

HIDE – When you have run, find cover and conceal yourself away from danger. If escape is not possible due to the proximity of the shooter, hide/barricade yourself into a room. Lock the door.

FIGHT – Only as a last resort. Only if absolutely necessary.

EMERGENCY LOCK-DOWN PROCEDURES When an announcement is made that Camp is in “lock-down,” by using the code “Red” counselors should lock the doors, have campers move to the bathrooms, position the group farthest from the windows, and turn off the lights. Everyone should stay quiet. If campers are outside when a lock-down begins, counselors should escort them to the closest building and follow the previously listed procedures.

All other staff should go to the closest building to them or stay in the building they are in.

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They should then go to an interior room without windows, lock the door, turn off the lights, and stay quiet. Lock-down will end when the Executive Director or Camp Director comes through the building and announces that lock-down is over by stating the approved “all is clear” password.

• • • •

“*Gold * Gold * Gold *“ This person will open the door with a key and announce that he/she is entering the room.

If the person tries to open the door using the “under duress” password – BLOCK THE DOOR. “* Hermann * Hermann * Hermann *“

CAMPER VERIFICATION AND RELEASE It is required that all campers attending Hermann Sons Life Camp have completed a registration card.

On ARRIVAL DAY, the counselors will confirm with the parents that we have the correct names of the individuals authorized to pick-up their child on the CABIN CHECK-OUT FORM. If the names are correct – great, the counselor simply initials the card. This will be the same CABIN CHECK-OUT FORM that will be utilized by the Camp when the camper departs.

• • • •

Any changes must be in writing.

The change can be written on the cabin’s card by the parent and then initialed by the parent.

The counselor will highlight the change.

This change must be given to the Camp Director to update the form for departure day.

On DEPARTURE DAY counselors will be responsible for checking out campers from their dorm (on Riverside) and from the dining hall (on Hilltop) on Saturday morning.

When an adult asks to check out a child:

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Ask for the name of the child or children.

Ask for the ID of the person checking them out.

Confirm that name is on the Cabin Check-Out Form and have them sign the form.

If the name of the person is not on the registration card, contact the Camp Director, Assistant Director or Executive Director.

They will call the parent or guardian to obtain permission to release the camper to this person.

Even parents whose name does not appear on the registration card must receive proper authorization before checking out.

Do not send the person waiting to check out the camper to obtain authorization. Send another staff member.

These procedures have been carefully developed and are necessary to protect the campers.

NON-CUSTODIAL PARENT In the event that a non-custodial parent comes to the Camp to take a camper:

•

•

•

•

If the child is not in the area, the counselor will tell another counselor to get the “ready room” for the camper. This is a signal to secure all campers away from the administrative offices. Call the custodial parent/guardian and 911.

If the child is within reach and view of the non-custodial parent, a counselor will be instructed to take the camper to the cabin and “pack."Call the custodial parent/guardian and 911.

If the non-custodial parent wants the child to stay while his/her things are brought to the office, calmly comply. Call the custodial parent/guardian and 911.

Always remain calm. If the non-custodial parent is violent or has a weapon – CALL CODE RED (lock-down).

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2019 Emergency Procedures

LOST CAMPER & LOST SWIMMER DRILLS • We will conduct lost camper and lost swimmer drills during Staff Development. If a camper is missing at the waterfront, the lost swimmer drill at the waterfront will be implemented.

• If the camper is missing after dark, the night-time missing camper procedures will be implemented.

LOST CAMPER & LOST SWIMMER DRILLS

• We willaconduct Lost Camper and Lost Swimmer Drills during Staff Development. If a camper When child is missing, stay calm.

is missing at the waterfront, the lost swimmer drill at the waterfront will be implemented. checked the Clinic?

Administration Building? Cabin?

• IfHave the you camper is missing after dark, the Nigh-time Missing Camper Procedures will be If the child is still missing… implemented.

1. Gather as much information as possible.

When a child is missing, stay calm. a. Initiate a Code Amber over the radio.

Where was child last seen? Get specifics.

Have youb. checked thethe Clinic?

Administration Building? Cabin? If the

c. Was the child alone? child is still missing…

d. Does the child have any special medical needs?

1. Gather as much information possible. e. Is there any reason they mayas have wandered off?

TIME IS CRITICAL!

Better safe than sorry. Do not hesitate to let us know if a camper is missing!

Initiate a Code Amberand over the radio. medical issues? . a. Description of clothing any potential b. Where was the child last seen? Get specifics. c. Was the child alone?

2. Immediately notify a supervisor.

TIME IS CRITICAL! d. Does the child have any special medical needs?

a. Give details gathered from (1).

Better safe than sorry. Do e. Is there any reason they may have wandered off?

b. Your location. f. Description of clothing and any potential medical issues? not hesitate to let us know

c. Time the camper was discovered missing. if a camper is missing! d. Agreed upon time search to.end (15 minutes from notification).

2. Immediately notify a for supervisor a. Give details gathered from (1). b. Youralocation.

3. Conduct Camp-wide search.

Time the camper was discovered

a. c. One-person will be in-charge of the missing. search (Camp Director).

TIME IS CRITICAL! Agreed for search to cabin end (15 minutes from

b. d. Check the upon Clinictime and the camper’s immediately.

Better safe than sorry. Do notification).

c. Check the Administrative Office for an early departure (signed-out). not hesitate to let us know

d. Check the camper’s activity schedule.

3. Conduct a Camp-Wide search. if a camper is missing! e. Keep all other campers supervised. Perform a head count. a. One-person will be in-charge of the search (Camp Director). b. Check the clinic and the camper’s cabin immediately.

4. Searching camper. c. Checkfor thea Administrative office for an early departure (signed a. The Executive Camp Director, Assistant Camp Director or out).

TIME IS CRITICAL! d. senior staff brief the staff as to who is missing, Check themember camper’swill activity schedule.

Better safe than sorry. Do e. where werecampers last seensupervised. and what the camper was wearing.

Keepthey all other Perform a head count. not hesitate to let us know

b. Searchers should go out in pairs. c. Each searcher should have a map, radio (or cell phone), flashlight 4. Searching for a camper. if a camper is missing! a. and noise-maker The Executive (whistle).

Camp Director, Assistant Camp Director or senior

d. Searchers shouldwill cover specific routes/areas. staff member brief the staff as to who is missing, where they

e. Searchers should call out for the camper.

Make noise. were last seen and what the camper was wearing.

f. b. End the search at a specific time.

Searchers should go out in pairs.

g. c. Inform on should a “needhave to know” Hysteria policy.

Each based searcher a map,basis. radioSee (oralso cell Mass phone), flashlight and noise-maker (whistle). d. Searchers should cover specific routes/areas. e. missing?

Searchers should call out for the camper. Make noise.

5. Still f.

Endall the search and at a staff specific time.

a. Bring campers to the flagpole and conduct a headcount. g.

Inform based on a “need to basis.the Seedirector. also Mass Hysteria policy.

b. Contact the other camp (HT orknow” RS). Inform c. Contact the local sheriff (approximately 1 hour).

5. Still missing?

d. At this time, contact the parents (Camp Director or Executive Director). a. Bring all campers and staff to the flagpole and conduct a headcount. b. Contact the other camp (HT or RS). Inform the director. c. Contact the local Sheriff (Approximately 1 hour). d. At this time, contact the parents (Camp Director or Executive Director).

f

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NIGHT-TIME MISSING CAMPER PROCEDURE When a child is discovered missing at night, stay calm.

1. Initial search.

NIGHT-TIME MISSING CAMPER PROCEDURE

a. Immediately search the cabin area and the bathrooms.

When a child is discovered missing at night, stay calm.bed? b. Perform a head count.

Everybody in the correct 1. Initial c. Ifsearch. the immediate search does not locate the camper,

a. Immediately searchAmber the cabin andthe theCamp bathrooms.

initiate a Code and area contact Director b. Perform a head count.

Everybody in the correct bed?

or Senior Staff in-charge.

If the search does the not Clinic locateimmediately. the camper, initiate a Code Amber c. d.

Theimmediate Senior Staff will check

e. still missing, perform a head count and check-in all cabins. andIfcontact the Camp Director or Senior Staffbed in-charge. d. The senior staff will check the clinic immediately. If still missing, e. Gather Performas a head count and bed check-in all cabins.

2. much information as possible.

a. Where was the child last seen? Get specifics.

2. Gather as much information as possible. b. Was the child alone? a.

Where child lastany seen?

Getmedical specifics.needs?

c. Doeswas thethe child have special b.

Was the child alone?

d. Is there any reason they may have wandered off?

Does the child have special medical needs? c. e.

Double-check all any cabins.

Double check all restrooms. d. Is there any reason they may have wandered off? e. Double-check all cabins. Double check all restrooms.

3. Searching for a camper.

3. Searching for a camper. a. The Executive Camp Director, Assistant Camp Director or Senior Staff

willCamp brief the staff as to who is missing, where they a. Themember Executive Director, Assistant Camp Director or wer senior staff member last seen the camper wasiswearing. will and briefwhat the staff as to who missing, where they were last seen

b. outwearing. in pairs. andSearchers what the should campergo was b. c.

Each searcher should have a map, radio (or cell phone), flashligh Searchers should go out in pairs.

and noise-maker (whistle). c. Each searcher should have a map, radio (or cell phone), flashlight and noise d.

Searchers should cover specific routes/areas. maker (whistle). d. e.

Searchers should callspecific out forroutes/areas. the camper. Make noise.

Searchers should cover e. f. Searchers End theshould searchcall at aout specific time. for the camper. Make noise. f. g. based a “needtime. to know” basis. See also Mass Hysteria EndInform the search aton a specific

policy.

Care must be taken not to frighten, misinform, or alarm g. Inform based on a “need to know” basis. See also Mass Hysteria policy.

Care themust other campers.

Hysteria will only compound a bad situation. be taken not to frighten, misinform, or alarm the other campers.

Hysteria will only compound a bad situation.

missing?

4. 4.

StillStill missing? a. b. c.

TIME IS CRITICAL!

Better safe than sorry. Do not hesitate to let us know if a camper is missing!

TIME IS CRITICAL!

Better safe than sorry. Do not hesitate to let us know if a camper is missing!

TIME IS CRITICAL!

Better safe than sorry. Do not hesitate to let us know if a camper is missing!

TIME IS CRITICAL!

Better safe than sorry. Do not hesitate to let us know if a camper is missing!

a.

Contact other camp or RS).

Inform Director.

Contact the the other camp (HT(HT or RS).

Inform thethe director. b.

Contact the local sheriff (approximately 1 hour).

Contact the local Sheriff (Approximately 1 hour). c.

At this time, contact parents (Camp Director or Executive Director).

At this time, contact thethe parents (Camp Director or Executive Director).

MISSING PERSON ONTHE THE RIVER Post the River MISSING PERSON ON RIVER - Post- at theatRiver

If a person is unaccounted it is strongly suspected that the person in the river If a person is unaccounted for andfor it and is strongly suspected that the person is in theisriver (overturned canoe), the staff should: (overturned canoe), the staff should:

a. Initiate a CodeaAmber and request medicalmedical staff. staff. a. Initiate Code Amber and request b. Hail the camper loudly & clearly.

Request information from other and remove them from area. b. Hail the camper loudly and clearly. Request information fromcanoers other canoers and remove themthe from c.

Contactthe Camp Director via emergency radio or cell phone and request a cabin check. area. d. Send available to search shore line.radio Oneorstaff on dock. c. other Contact Camp staff Director via emergency cell should phone remain and request a cabin check. e. If the missing person is unaccounted for, all available staff will be sent to river on to assist d. Send other available staff to search shore line. One staff should remain dock. in “lost swimmer drill” f. Medical staff will contact EMS services if the situation warrants emergency medical e. If the missing person is unaccounted for, all available staff will be sent to rivercare to assist in “lost

swimmer drill.”

f. Medical staff will contact EMS services if the situation warrants emergency medical care

NEAR DROWNING AND DROWNING ALERTS

Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in children. It occurs quickly, often quietly, in that brief moment when you were talking to a friend, went to the bathroom, or got distracted. We must all obey the safety rules and remain observant when in and around water.

There is to be no swimming or canoeing by campers or staff unless lifeguards are on duty.

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2019 Emergency Procedures

Emergency Procedures 2019 /// 4.15.19 ///8:00p.m.

NEAR DROWNING AND DROWNING ALERTS Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in children. It occurs quickly, often quietly, in that brief moment when you were talking to a friend, went to the bathroom, or got distracted. We must all obey the safety rules and remain observant when in and around water. There is to be no swimming or canoeing by campers or staff unless lifeguards are on duty.

Near Drowning Procedure

1. Lifeguards will use three whistle blasts to signal an emergency. All counselors will begin to calmly

clear the pool/river unless otherwise directed by the lifeguard. Campers and non-essential staff

should leave the area.

2. Initiate a Code Blue.

3. Lifeguards will enter the pool/river according to appropriate rescue protocols.

4. Lifeguards will remove the injured participant's face from the water immediately. If the cause of

injury is unknown or if there is a likelihood of a head/neck injury, the lifeguard(s) will immobilize

according to spinal injury management methods.

5. Get help.

a. At the pool: A designated Staff member will call the Medical Staff via walkie-talkie and ask for

Medical Staff Assistance, alerting them that "There is a Code Blue situation at the pool." The

Medical Staff will designate someone to call 911 and respond with needed equipment to the

pool. Initiate a Code Blue.

b. At the river: A lifeguard will call Medical Staff via walkie-talkie and ask for Medical Staff

assistance, alerting them that "There is a Code Blue situation at the Riverfront " and letting

them know what the situation is. The Medical Staff will call 911 and send Medical Staff and

equipment needed at the river. Initiate a code Blue.

6. The lifeguards will coordinate the safe removal of the victim from the water.

7. If the camper does not need CPR, administer First Aid as needed.

8. If the camper does need CPR, connect oxygen to ambu bag and use ambu bag for rescue

breathing. Use strong force. Administer CPR per protocol. Continue CPR until Medical Staff arrives

or until the victim resumes breathing and a pulse can be measured.

PROCEDURES FOR MEDICAL STAFF

• • • •

Bring emergency response kit and report to the scene of the emergency.

Confirm that 911 is being called.

Confirm the identity of the victim and get the medical form for transportation.

Care for the patient until emergency services arrives.

FIRE DRILL We will conduct a fire drill on the first day of every session. These drills are to be taken seriously. We must account for all campers and staff immediately.

a.

b.

c.

d.

In the event of an emergency being called, and a fire drill, all campers and staff are to report to the flagpole and stand in straight lines.

Counselors must be at the front and rear of their cabin lines. Each counselor is to do a head count.

Repeat at least twice. Be certain.

When asked for a head count by a Senior Staff Member, they should respond: "32 (or the number of campers present) campers and four staff members. ALL ACCOUNTED FOR. If a camper or counselor is not present, you would report: 31 campers, 3 counselors, One counselor Off-Off, One camper unaccounted for and last seen at Archery.

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BUILDING FIRE If a fire is sighted, the staff should:

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

f.

Evacuate the area immediately of campers and staff. If inside a building, remove all campers from the building. Orderly exiting through doors is expected. If a fire emergency occurs in a cabin and the front door is not accessible, campers and staff are directed to exit through the rear exit or through one of the cabin’s window by pushing out the screens. There is an emergency evacuation card in each cabin.

Report the location of the fire immediately and accurately.

If the fire is small, and you are safely able to do so extinguish with a fire extinguisher and notify the Camp Director of the incident. An Incident Report Form will be completed.

If fire is too large to extinguish, immediately contact the main office via emergency radio or send a runner to the office (or nearest radio contact) with the fire's location. The office will contact the local fire company.

An all-camp alert will be sounded. (See above).

If the fire is in a location close to the flagpole area, the emergency line-up will be used. a. Hilltop – On the lower tennis court. b. Riverside – On the tennis court.

LOCATION OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS All buildings have a fire extinguisher located at their front entrance. This includes all cabins, the Camp office, the clinic, dining hall, maintenance, staff lounge, HHAC Building and the Camp vehicles. The fire extinguishers are checked annually by an outside company.

Please make sure your campers know they must not play with the extinguishers.

A simple method for operating portable fire extinguishers is to remember PASS. P = Pull the pin on the extinguisher.

A = Aim the extinguisher’s nozzle at the base of the fire.

S = Squeeze or press the handle.

S = Sweep from side to side at the base of the fire until it goes out.

Watch for re-flash and reactivate the extinguisher if necessary.

SMOKE DETECTION EQUIPMENT All buildings in Camp designed for living are complete with a smoke detector. It is the counselors' responsibility to make sure the smoke detector is operating at the beginning of each session. If you take out the battery, you must replace the battery immediately… even at 2:00 a.m.

It is a crime for anyone to tamper with fire protection equipment. Removal of a battery (without replacing the battery) or removing a smoke detector is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 or six months in jail.

WILDFIRE In the event of a wildland, brush or grass fire, please report it immediately and remove yourself and the campers away from the fire to an upwind location far away from the incident. When notifying the Directors, please give as much information as possible.

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The Executive Camp Director and Camp Directors will be responsible for coordinating responses and directing the actions of the staff in conjunction with the appropriate authorities. As in any emergency, keep campers together. Places to go prior to transportation arriving or in the event that transportation will not be possible include the tennis courts, pool area and parking lot.

ENVIRONMENTAL EMERGENCIES The Executive Camp Director and Camp Directors will be responsible for coordinating responses to all environmental emergencies and directing the actions of the staff.

FLASH FLOODS

a.

b.

c.

FLOOD WATCH – METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS EXIST THAT COULD CREATE FLOODING. The Executive Camp Director or Camp Director will keep in contact with the authorities for reports on the amount of rainfall on the upper Guadalupe River watershed and river conditions. Staff will be briefed as necessary by the Director. Should conditions warrant a “shelter in place” or evacuation order will be given and communicated by the director.

FLOOD WARNING – FLOODING CONDITIONS ARE IMMINENT. Letters have been sent to local authorities advising them of our summer camp schedule. The Kerr County Sheriff’s Department or Comfort Volunteer Fire Department will contact Camp with river conditions. Maintain a higher level of contact on river conditions. Contact the Home Office and advise. Brief the staff.

EVACUATION. If severe flooding conditions are predicted (30 foot crest or greater) all Riverside campers and staff will be moved to Hilltop.

1. Phase 1 Evacuation This evacuation procedure is used in the event of late or no notification.

a. Staff will be alerted that an extreme emergency condition exists and to move to higher ground.

Organize campers and/or other staff and walk up the hill to the Retirement Home. Do not attempt

to move personal property unless instructed to do so.

2. Phase 2 Evacuation This evacuation procedure is used when advance warning is received.

a.

You will be alerted that an emergency condition exists and to wait further instructions. Soon you will be instructed to organize campers and/or other staff and move to the Retirement Home. Do not attempt to move personal property. Keep together with at least one counselor leading and one counselor following your group. Do not stop from departure to destination at any time.

Because of established early warning systems, Phase 2 will most likely be the procedure used in the event of an evacuation.

b.

BRIEFING FOR CAMPERS AND STAFF. When all have arrived safely to Hilltop the Executive Camp Director or Camp Director will explain to the campers why we have moved and what is planned for the day. Some details may be given to staff but kept from campers. When weather conditions permit, the campers and staff will be transported to the Hilltop site. Campers and staff will follow an adapted program until it is safe to return to Riverside or an early departure becomes necessary and can be arranged.

c.

NOTIFICATION. The Home Office will be contacted with details of current conditions and plans. If cancellation of the Camp week becomes necessary, parents will be contacted with checkout details. The Home Office Member Benefits Department may help with contacting parents. The Home Office Communications Director will be contacted about notification of the media.

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LIGHTNING The Hilltop Camp is built on a rock shelf making it more prone to lightning strikes. In the event of severe weather conditions, take the following precautions to minimize the danger of being struck by lightning.

a.

b.

c.

d.

Take shelter when a thunderstorm threatens Camp. Get inside a building. Remain there until notified by the Camp Director.

Get out of and away from any water. Lifeguards will clear the pool at the first sign of lightning or when hazardous conditions exist.

Do not take shelter under trees or near metal objects such as fences, metal railings, light or flagpoles, etc.

If your hair suddenly stands on end, drop to your knees, bend forward and place your hands on your knees. This may not prevent you from being struck but will minimize the flow of current between you and the ground. Get to cover as soon as possible.

TORNADOS

1. TORNADO WATCH – TORNADIC CONDITIONS EXIST. The Camp Director will keep in touch with local authorities for current reports. Staff will be kept advised on conditions.

2. TORNADO WARNING – TORNADO REPORTED IN THE AREA. Staff will continue with their duties or may be asked to help secure Camp.

3. TORNADO SIGHTED IN IMMEDIATE VICINITY. – The Executive Camp Director or Camp Director will call all campers and staff to report to assigned shelter areas.

Proceed immediately to your assigned area. If instructed, assume a tucked position, face down, using mattresses for protection.

4. TORNADO STRIKES CAMP.

a.

b.

c.

d.

5.

Stay calm.

Check yourself and the people around you for injuries. The Executive Camp Director, Camp Director and Health Manager will set up first aid to treat injuries and contact emergency s ervices if necessary.

We will assemble at the soccer field while the buildings are assessed for damage.

We will notify the Home Office and communicate with the parents through them.

AFTER TORNADO. After the danger has passed a team appointed by the Executive Director will survey the damage. The Home Office will be contacted to help notify parents and prepare a public statement. If damage is substantial, the Executive Director will arrange for early dismissal. If damage is not major, the schedule will be adjusted for Camp to continue.

WILD ANIMALS It is always a good practice to view wildlife from a distance and do not approach them. If an animal harms anyone notify the medical staff immediately. In situations which involve potentially dangerous wildlife being too close to us, do not touch or disturb the wildlife.

Inform the Camp Director of the location of the potentially dangerous animal (mountain lion, bobcat, coyote, snake, etc.). If an animal threatens you, please inform the Camp Director.

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SPIDERS All spiders carry venom. Leave them alone and they will leave you alone. Brown Recluse Spiders and Black Widow Spiders are occasionally seen on our Camp site. If a camper or staff member has been bitten, they should be taken to the Clinic IMMEDIATELY! The Health Care Staff will begin emergency procedures for bites.

•

Neither spider bite is fatal; however, nausea and discomfort may accompany the bite.

BEE/WASP/HORNET/YELLOW JACKET STINGS If someone is stung by a bee, apply sting reliever to the area that was stung and take them to the medical staff for further evaluation. If you know the person stung is allergic to bees take them to the Clinic IMMEDIATELY and notify the Health Care Staff via walkie-talkie of a possible allergic reaction (so the medical staff knows what to bring).

SCORPIONS Scorpion stings react somewhat like a bee or wasp sting.

• •

All reactions to animal or insect bites are highly individualized and should be closely watched.

Persons who have been stung by a scorpion should be taken to the Clinic immediately.

SNAKES Snakes are as scared of you as you are of them. Do not reach under logs or other cool dark areas.

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If you see a snake in the distance, calmly walk away.

If a camper or counselor is bitten by a snake, call for Medical Staff to help.

If someone is knowledgeable about snakes, ask them to identify the type of snake, but no one should approach, attempt to catch, or contain the snake.

DEALING WITH THE MEDIA - IF POLICE, PRESS OR BYSTANDERS ARRIVE

No one is authorized to deal with the media, police or any other persons investigating Camp related events except for the EXECUTIVE CAMP DIRECTOR. No statements or interviews are to be given by a Camp employee UNLESS SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZED by the Executive Camp Director.

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CAMP HAZARDS NATURAL HAZARDS THE RIVER Staff members should never attempt to cross the bridge at Hermann Sons Life crossing or Mill Dam Road if there is water over it or the approaching roadway.

ALTENHEIM HILL The road coming down from the Retirement Home is a hazard. Be careful when pulling out of the maintenance gate at Riverside. Use established safety precautions when crossing the road near the Retirement Home.

MANMADE HAZARDS

Most manmade hazards have been secured by fence or lock. Keep campers away from the natural gas meters, water well equipment and electrical panels. Don’t let campers hang from the pipes under the dining hall on Riverside. Don’t let campers sit or walk on the roofs by the bleachers at the Hilltop pool and exhibition tennis court.

COUNSELOR PARKING LOT Parking in the counselor parking lot at Riverside can be a hazard if counselors do not park neatly, allowing enough room for other cars to park. Also, be careful when pulling out of the counselor parking lot.

AUTOMATIC GATES Use caution when exiting through the automatic gates. The gates do not have sensors to stop for any object. No one should ever use the gate codes to open the gates in order to walk through them but should use the walk-through gates for that purpose. Never crawl under, climb over or hang on the gates.

ACCIDENT PROCEDURES When an accident occurs, immediately seek the assistance of Camp medical personnel.

The staff member should administer care to their certified skill level until the medical personnel arrive.

First aid kits are located in the following areas:

• All camp vehicles • Canoe trailer • OLS backpack • Adventures in Nature backpack • Range • Pool • Climbing barn • Houston Home Association Activities Center craft closet

Camp medical staff is responsible for treatment of the injury or referring the camper to a doctor.

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INCIDENT AND ACCIDENT REPORTS Incident and Accident reports are to be completed by all staff members that witnesses the event.

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ACCIDENT – An accident is a record of injury that a person sustains at Camp.

INCIDENT – A situation, trend or occurrence that warrants the attention of the Camp Director.

What incidents/accidents are we talking about that require documentation?

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Behavioral problems: All fighting, serious emotional outbursts, threatening behavior/others.

Adjustment problems: Lost or runaway campers.

Significant rule violations: Any use of drugs, alcohol, cigarettes (includes e-cigarettes).

Safety threats: Strangers on-site.

Close calls: All significant events such as drownings, baseball whizzing by a head of a non-participant, near drownings (rescue by lifeguard).

These forms are legal documents. Be neat. Be thorough.

Incident and Accident reports are to be completed immediately following the event.

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If the event occurs at morning activities no later than lunch.

If the event occurs during the afternoon activities no later than dinner.

If the event occurs during the evening events, no later than curfew.

All Incident and Accident Reports are to be given to the Executive Director in a timely manner.

If an injury occurs, the medical staff are required to document the treatment and complete the appropriate insurance forms for either the campers or counselors (for Worker’s Compensation).

Senior Staff will document all Incident and Accident reports into the log.

EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURES When evacuating during any emergency counselors should immediately and quickly have the campers line up. Count campers to insure all are present. Exit the dorm (having campers hold hands to stay together) and walk to the designated area.

• THE DESIGNATED AREA FOR ALL EMERGENCIES ON BOTH RIVERSDIE AND HILLTOP IS THE

FLAGPOLE AREA.

• If the Flagole Area is deemed unsafe. The back-up area for both Riverside and Hilltop are the tennis courts

Upon arriving at the designated area count your campers again. If any are missing inform the Camp Director immediately. Keep your campers together and quiet and wait for further instructions. Certain conditions may prevent lining up and counting campers prior to evacuating. In such cases the counselor who leaves the area last should conduct an area sweep to make sure no camper is left behind.

POSTED EMERGENCY PROCEDURES Emergency Evacuation Procedures are posted in each building. These procedures include an exit map and written instructions. All staff should familiarize themselves with the evacuation procedures for their work and sleeping area. A copy of the complete emergency plan is posted in the office and clinic of each site. Drills may be conducted to test the effectiveness of the plan as well as staff readiness. EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS

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EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS Dial 9 for an outside line EMS 911 Volunteer Fire Department

995-2124 Camp Doctor J. Christopher Meriwether 830-257-1440 1331 Bandera Hwy Ste. 10, Kerrville Office Hours are Monday-Thursday from 9-12 and 2-5, Friday from 8-12 Urgent Care Clinic 830-331-2391 Open 7 days,. 8-8 910 River Road, Suite 101, Boerne, TX 78006 After Hours Emergencies Peterson Regional Medical Center 551 Hill Country Drive, Kerrville, TX 78028

830-896-4200

External Support Emergency Numbers Poison Control 800-222-1222 Child Protective Services, Kerrville 830-792-4303 Child Protective Services, Boerne 830-249-8779 Child Protective Services Hotline 800-252-5400 Texas Department of Health, Boerne 830-278-7173 Texas Department of Health, Austin 512-776-7111 Reporting Gas Leak/Emergency

866-322-8667 HERMANN SONS LIFE - COMFORT Hilltop Camp Office 830-995-3223 Riverside Camp Office 830-995-3617 Ian Brassett (Gunner)

909-362-9058 (cell) 830-995-2457 (home) Vicky Chavez (Tricky) 210-386-1457 John Sorbel 210-535-5362 Brenda Gunnink (Retirement Community) 210-831-3417 (cell) 830-995-2724 (pffice)

HERMANN SONS LIFE – SAN ANTONIO Home Office 210-226-9261 Cecily Kell, Vice President of Member Benefits 210-473-5648 (cell)

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