Notes from Liz Cohen, Camp and Youth Development Director
A successful summer begins with a vision. For me, that vision is a warm, welcoming community where every member feels safe, supported, and free to thrive. Camp needs to be a fun, nurturing space that invites creativity, peer engagement, laughter, learning, and an opportunity to take perceived risks to grow one’s confidence. A place where people feel empowered to make choices and have a voice among their peers. This can be said for both counselors and campers alike. I want my staff to feel empowered to make decisions, test out new ideas, handle unexpected twists and turns, and work confidently with their campers and coworkers. And I want my staff to be able to impart this same set of values to their campers. Building a strong staff is integral to building a strong camp community.
“The counselors were so engaging and made my young kid feel comfortable right away! Loved his first camp experience, and I give them full credit.” -Elizabeth G., camp parent
I have been lucky to work for some incredible non profits, Friends of the Fells being one of them, and I have always done my best work in organizations where the staff culture is positive and supportive. For me, a nurturing work place is where I am given the independence to make decisions freely and where people are genuinely happy to be there and enjoy the work they are doing. If this is the kind of environment that works best for me, then it only makes sense that I try to create this same culture for my counselors, campers, and their families.
Creating this type of community starts from the moment I begin the hiring process. When a person interviews a candidate and makes the decision to hire them, and that candidate accepts the job, a connection is created. An understanding that both have actively chosen the other. In the case of Fells Forest Camp, staff are choosing to work for me and with me and to uphold our camp policies and traditions, and in turn, I am promising them a meaningful summer experience and to act as their supervisor and guide. It is the first step in a long line of little and big moments that converge to create a solid team.
Once everyone is hired, I typically only have one week to train and develop our summer staff, though months go into its planning. This is done with careful consideration to scaffolding the group experience in such a way that initially gets our new group laughing, moving, and warming up to each other, and then getting to know each other more deeply throughout the week. Although staff training content covers many areas, including camp policies and procedures, safety, and other topics, creating a positive community is the invisible thread I weave through everything we do. When training is over and camp begins, there is a letting go of sorts. I give staff the room needed to flex their “counselor muscles” and to put the skills they have learned to good use – they have the freedom to make their own decisions and nurture their groups’ dynamics as they see fit, knowing that my senior staff and I are there for them if they need us.
“…In our experience, the counselors are universally well-trained and caring guides to the incredible outdoors so close to us in the Fells.” – Charlie D., camp parent
Any community is made stronger by shared experiences, and camp provides a constant source of challenges and surprises-particularly in a woodland setting. Counselors have ample time to bond when managing their groups, dealing with the heat and rain, and by listening to their campers to give them a fun, positive, and safe camp experience. Staff pick-me-ups like homemade treats, creative staff challenges, and morning games before camper arrival all aid in sealing the bonds of friendship.
“We love what you do and how you do it… you all have a special group and approach that others could learn from. Thank you!!” -Andy M., camp parent
Were there behavior issues and other stumbling blocks this summer? Of course there were. There always will be when working with children. But despite these challenges, this summer just felt easy. And fun. And full of good energy. My staff had the skills to handle these hurdles confidently, and while doing so, there was reflection, learning, and lots of laughter. A team was born, and by the end of the summer we felt like family.
