Camp policies, rules, etc.

[jaymie]

Mario, now that you've done a camp - can you make a post about the
good, bad and ugly?

So let's get really tight on camp rules for this summer ... after
what, 9 years of doing them myself I know the more consistant we are
the better. And now that I'm a parent I am doubly paranoid. So let's
just list out everything we can think of - I'll type it up and we'll
have it for everyone. It will be good for volunteers and interns to
have too so that they know what to expect.

I want to have cpr training for the staff before summer - I've
actually never been trained.

Give me everything you can think of ... include structural things too
- like Lauren's job list for the kids.

[jaymie]

How convenient - google places sponsor links and web pages over on the
side bar that are related to what you've typed in ...

Here are some stupid little things that come to mind - these are all
things that I've had to make rules about after-the-fact. I don't think
we need to bombard them with these rules - just be aware so that if
any of these things come up we all act consistantly:

Kids have to wear their shoes all of the time (especially outside)
Hands to yourself (this is always my biggest problem)
No guns or depictions of violent acts
Hands-off other peoples art work
No offensive language

Here's a little story. I had a group of 2nd-5th graders - it was about
the time that South Park was really big. A couple of my older kids
were completely obsessed with it and were constantly quoting from it.
A mom of one of the second graders came in one morning and wanted to
know how her daughter had learned the word f@#K - I was really
embarrassed to say the least. I never actually heard them say bad
words - they were doing it when I couldn't hear, but I didn't just lay
down the law when it started and look what happened. So you have to
remember ... everything that happens in camp goes straight back to the
parents.

[Mary]

good teachers (like all of you) have some traits that I have seen.
They respect the kids and are sure that the kids are respecting them..
they talk about the kids in the class as their friends and refer to
the group almost as a unit...
They acknowledge children when they are talking to them and look them
in the face... try to model to the others that you are listening to
this one person but they will have a turn too and make sure you give
the other kid a turn.
Acknowledge feelings, ideas, etc
sensative to the whole class - full awareness at all times... can't
zone in on a project with one child for too long without checking
around the room
goal is constructive buzz - engaged kids.
look for cues from the ones that aren't getting it and getting
frustrated... gettting to that kid before they give up
planning ahead with enough activities so that all kids can be engaged
even when they are waiting for others...
have organized coming and goings... one teacher at the front of the
line as a leader and one teacher at the back. count at teh beginning
of the day.. know your number and take the emergency stuff with you
when you leave the building and a phone if you have one. know what the
kids are allergic to and any important med stuff...
set the tone for being in charge - be consistant always. be fair...
don't talk about personal stuff when you are with the kids...
never leave the kids alone - they do not always stay where you put
them :)
never lose your cool... get me or another teacher to help intervene if
you have a tough kid.

> > - like Lauren's job list for the kids.- Hide quoted text -
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[jaymie]

i like this - i think i'm going to put this in the volunteer hand-book

> > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

[Mary]

I hope you edit it well....