Camp Roots 2016
Volunteer Handbook
Mission:
At Camp Roots, it is our mission to provide the access, resources and environment so that youth of all ages feel free to learn. Our focus is to offer a variety of life skills learning opportunities for 21st century youth. At Camp Roots, our learner-centric philosophy is Rooted in providing an Inclusive Environment where Equity, Empathy, and Enjoyment are Essential to Everything we do. We believe that everyone has the right to play, learn, hike, create and just be in the outdoors. It is through connecting with nature that we are able to become stewards of the earth. We all benefit from feeling connected to our earth and the people who live on it.
Weekly Themes:
Week 1- July 11th-July 15th-Bird Observation/Identification/Habitats/Fort Building
Week 2-July 18th-22nd-Foraging/Native Plant & Tree Identification/Bats
Week 3-July 25th-29th-Wilderness Survival Skills & Orienteering
Week 4-August 1st-5th-Stewardship for the earth, Service Project with St. Eds & The Lorax Play-Dr. Seuss
Week 5- August 8th-12th-We are one/Interconnectedness between nature and humans & Sneetches Play- Dr.Seuss
Week 6- August 15th-19th- Arts in the Outdoors- Using Nature to create art
Daily Schedule for Summer 2016
Teachers
Monday-Friday- Ms. Miller, Ms. Katherine, Ms. Margaret, Ms. Laura, Mr. Kevin and Mr. Cameron
Daily Schedule:
7:30-9:00- Wrap- around care
9:00-4:00- Camp
4:00-6:00 wrap-around care
** Bathroom breaks are offered in groups and on an as needed basis, each bathroom break will be led by at least one lead teacher /two or more volunteers**
** Thursday Nights there are concerts in the Park at St. Edwards from 6-8 ish each week of camp.
Pack your child nourishing snacks and lunch for each camp day.
CAMPERS CHECK LIST
* Nourishing food and water
* Backpack
* Lunch
* Water- Campers are able to refill at the drinking fountains
* Hat & Sunscreen (no aerosol spray, please)
* Bathing Suit- In case we swim/play in the shallow water at the lake.
* Towel
* A Good pair of hiking/playing shoes/sandals-WHATEVER WORKS THE BEST FOR YOUR FEET- GOAL TO AVOID GETTING BLISTERS
* X-tra change of clothes- Just In case:)
* Jacket or Sweatshirt for Cooler Days
* Please be sure to label all personal belongings.
*No electronic items are necessary at camp. - If you bring your phone it must be stored away except for lunch time.
* Camp Roots is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
* Camp Roots is a very active camp no matter what the location or the weather. We are at camp to play and socialize outside and will do so despite rainy weather or hot temperatures. We have the Bus classroom as well as the woods and 4 canopy/tent structures to provide shade and shelter from the elements.
* Campers are expected to participate as they are able throughout the day and to come home tired and dirty, but with a smile.
* Camp Roots will be asking EVERY CAMPER that brings their PHONE or other electronic devices to lock it in the bus until lunch time when they are able to check their phones after eating lunch. Phones will be put away after lunch until the end of camp. If you need to get in touch with Camp Roots for any reason during the camp day you can contact us via TEXT or PHONE at- 425-495-1139 and we will return your call/text as soon as possible.
Volunteers:
How to Engage with this Handbook
This handbook is designed to be a valuable resource to volunteers in being prepared for the camp sessions and in fulfilling their roles as volunteers. You are encouraged engage with the text in whatever way best helps you learn, grow, understand, and see yourself in the text. That could be getting out a pen and writing notes and questions all over. It could be reading it with a camp buddy or new camp mentor and talking about it over tea or coffee. Or it could be finding a cozy spot to cuddle up with the text where no one will bother your reverie. Do what works for you!
Here are the goals behind this handbook:
- Volunteers have a beginning understanding of the language and culture of Camp Roots.
- Volunteers are engaged in the Mission, Values, and The Commitment to Inclusion of Camp Roots and can explain ways to live them out as a volunteer.
- Volunteers know information specific to both their roles during camp sessions as well as their own skills development needs and know how to find that information in the handbook for reference later on.
- Volunteers clearly understand the Camp Roots policies and procedures, including emergency procedures.
- Volunteers know resources they can use and to whom they can go when they need support in fulfilling their volunteer roles to best serve the youth at Camp Roots.
- What questions do you have as a volunteer for the Summer 2015 program?
- The space below is to write these questions or . . .
- Write a note to a potential camper about what experience you hope you are able to provide for them at camp this summer or . .
- Our Values
Equity. Empathy. Enjoyment. Fun. Courage . Health . Integrity . Play . Stewardship. Acceptance . Inclusion . Leadership
Our Commitment to Inclusion and Fun
Camp Roots is committed to providing an inclusive environment where all campers feel welcome and accepted. We pride ourselves on providing an atmosphere that is welcoming and fun for every camper, volunteer, and teacher.
--What does inclusion look like to you?
“It's not just a camp. It's a revolution.”
Summer Program Outcomes
The following outcomes are derived from the Camp Roots Mission, Values, and Commitment to Inclusion and Fun. Our goal is to provide the access, resources, and environment where these outcomes will be achieved for each camper over the course of one or two camp sessions.
1.Each camper makes at least one new friend.
- Each camper is engaged in at least one unfamiliar activity or event.
- Each camper is able to identify at least one volunteer as her/his/per/their/zir mentor and ally.
- Each camper feels physically and emotionally safe.
- Every day, each camper participates in individual and group choices about activities at camp.
- Each camper experiences outdoor education, drawing on the resources of the environment and site.
- Each camper is exposed to community building techniques and experiences.
- Each camper feels empowered to lead, participate, and act as a steward in community groups.
- Each camper understands her/his/their/ freedom to feel empowered to engage in all camp opportunities.
- Each camper engages in activities where creativity can thrive.
Write three or more ideas you have about how these Summer Program Outcomes connect to your role at camp:
What’s one question you have about the Camp Roots (Mission, Values, and Commitment to Inclusion) for all Camp Roots campers?
The campers will be split up into 5 groups of 8 campers each. For each group there will be one volunteer assigned. Each volunteer will be in charge of their group of 8 campers. The volunteers will be in charge of their group when we are on hikes, going to the restroom & when we are taking time to explore the park or at the playground. When we are back at camp the volunteers will be seen as helpers, role models and will still be the person that their campers can check in with. Volunteers are encouraged to participate alongside the campers in all of the activities offered.
** Intimate Relationships and Exclusive Behavior
The CAMP ROOTS Value of Inclusion grounds this policy. While CAMP ROOTS celebrates both campers and volunteers building and strengthening all types of healthy and joyful intimate relationships —such as family connections, friendships, dating relationships, mentorships, and more— exclusive behavior (as defined in this policy) is not allowed during the camp sessions. Exclusive behavior is any behavior that takes a group of two or more campers or volunteers away from engagement with the summer camp program, its activities, and/or their responsibilities to and agreements with their cabin group, volunteer team, and/or the camp community. Volunteers have the added responsibility of ensuring that any pre‐existing relationships they may have with other volunteers or with campers (e.g. siblings, family friends, teacher/student, etc.) do not interfere with their focus on serving all campers or their performance of their duties during the camp sessions.
Volunteers will be communicating via Walkie Talkie when at Camp to the lead teachers and amongst themselves when there is a need..
In case of emergency we have the park rangers number as well as 911 to call on if any volunteer/camper needs emergency services.
Camp Roots- Conflict Resolution
Time‐Tested Strategies
- Be the kind of person you want your campers to be – obey the rules yourself!
- Know as many campers as possible by name.
- Know something about them.
- Build relationships.
- Be friendly.
- Pay attention to and invest in what individual campers are doing and their progress.
- Praise good qualities and actions – Be specific, “The way you reached out to that other camper was kind.”
- Maintain your poise at all times. If you notice yourself losing your cool, take some deep breaths, get support, and/or take a break.
- Don’t take misbehavior personally. It’s not about you, it’s about what’s going on with the camper. Keep in mind that misbehavior is seldom intentional. Try to find the cause.
- Every child/youth has needs; their behavior will give you clues as to those needs.
- Try to see the camper’s side of the situation. Discuss it with them until you understand.
- Distract, distract, distract! One of the best methods to avoiding “bad” behavior is to stay busy!
- When campers misbehave, be sure to let them know in a clear, firm, and caring way—communicate that the behavior, not the camper themselves, is what’s not okay.
- Stay engaged and observant, so that if you notice a potential problem, you can keep it from actually occurring. Enlist other leaders (volunteers and campers) to provide role models, especially if you sense that one or more campers aren’t making positive connections with you or someone in your area.
- Give a camper time to cool down and think about behavior change. It’s okay to let them be by themselves as long as you can still see them and they are within shouting/visual distance.
- Have a group meeting to discuss and resolve generalized problems.
- Remain with your campers during meals and any time you are not on your daily lunch break time/ around Camp Time.
- Sometimes it is best to simply ignore behaviors (assuming they are not causing harm to others), rather than reward or punish, which may actually provide attention to encourage the behavior.
- Sometimes, giving the camper attention or affection, which has been lacking, may solve the problem.
- Giving the camper some form of responsibility or encouraging a special interest may result in improved behavior. Often an activity, if it is at their own physical, emotional, and intellectual level, may correct the situation.
- Be consistent and impartial – enforce the rules the same with all campers in your group. Avoid lecturing or embarrassing the camper.
*What to Do When Campers Don’t Follow the Rules*
- When possible, address camper misbehavior away from the group. GO TO THE KELSO’S CHOICE POSTER AND MAKE A CHOICE. CHECK IN WITH A Lead teacher if you need SUPPORT However, keep all campers in sight while working with camper who is behaving inappropriately or make sure others are being supervised.
- Make it clear that the behavior is outside the Code of Conduct, camp rules, and/or your group norm agreements and that you expect it to stop.
- Ask the camper questions to find out more about the source of the behavior and to hear where they are coming from; circumstances may not be fully known to you.
- Help the camper to identify acceptable alternatives to the problem behavior. Make a plan with the camper about how to handle a situation with which they’re struggling in a way that aligns with the camp rules/values.
- Stay cool and calm; keep strong emotions in check. If you or the camper has “lost it” take a break before resuming a conversation about the problem.
- Once the disciplinary conversation is over, or a camper’s time out from an activity is over, get the camper re‐ integrated into the group activity. Be especially conscientious of how that camper is being treated and included by the group to head off additional problems.
*If a Camper Continues to Misbehave- 2nd time. . . *
- Use your best judgment. Have an additional conversation with the camper and, if needed, provide the camper with appropriate consequences for their action. GO TO KELSO”S CHOICE POSTER- CHOOSE AN OPTION
*If a Camper Continues to Misbehave- 3rd time. . . *
Consequences may include:
- Quiet time
- Restriction from activity
- More restrictive adult supervision
- Conference with an Area Lead and/or the Camp Director
- Conference with the parent/caregiver, Camp Roots volunteers, and the Camp Director
- Behavioral contract
- Removal from the camp environment
Ideally, multiple strategies of support, inclusion, and consequences should be used before reaching the point of removing a camper from camp.
** Site Hazard Risk Reduction
Any outdoor camp‐site may present several potential hazards to both campers and volunteers. When and where possible, these hazards will be eliminated. Remember that health and safety are of primary importance at CAMP ROOTS. The following outline describes potential hazards and the prescribed methods for dealing with them. When appropriate, these procedures should be explained to campers.
Waterfront
Waterfront areas constitute a serious potential hazard. For this reason, no campers are allowed in or near waterfront areas without the presence of a summer camp LEAD TEACHER who is certified by a nationally certifying body in CPR/AED and First Aid.
Animals
To be safe, volunteers and campers must assume that all wild mammals (raccoons, chipmunks, rabbits, etc.) are carriers. If contact is made, notify the camp medical volunteers immediately. Medical volunteers will fill out an Incident Report Form. No petting dogs/other animals.
Poisonous Plants
CAMP ROOTS is fortunate to use a camp‐site with few poisonous plants. Campers and volunteers should avoid indiscriminate eating of plants. Always check with those who know the local flora and fauna.
Woods
No campers are allowed in the woods without at least one volunteer (or truddy, when in route to a counselor or activity). Because of the presence of brush and tree roots, no one should run in the woods. When traveling through the woods, all campers and volunteers should travel on trails only. Campers and volunteers should alert the Camp Director and the Site Manager of any hazardous trail conditions.
The Camp Road
The road around the perimeter of the camp‐site is OFF LIMITS . The road is off limits to unattended campers. The road should not be a common path of travel, even for attended campers. Volunteers should do their best to stick to the trails, whenever possible, instead of taking campers via the road. Be alert for cars and be sure campers know to move aside when they meet a car.
Broken Glass
Our summer camp community should make every effort to keep the camp‐site grounds clean; however, since it seems some glass will always escape even the most diligent efforts, shoes must always be worn at camp.
Vehicles
Driving in camp during the camp sessions will be kept to an absolute minimum. No vehicle should exceed the speed of five miles per hour in main camp.
- Swimming Guidelines
- At least two LEAD TEACHERS must be watching from out of the water per every 20 youth or adults. Two LEAD TEACHERS must be watching from in the water for every 20 youth or adults.
- If youth are in the water, at least 2 trained lookouts, certified in age appropriate CPR/AED and First Aid, will be on‐duty and watching from out of the water every time we are playing at the lake.
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- Swimmers may swim/play only in water areas that are up to their waist or lower, as well as remain in designated areas.
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- One long blast of a whistle means that all swimmers must exit the water.