Summer
camp is one of those protected places in life where children
can try new things within a framework of support and encouragement.
It is
difficult to describe what a fun job working at a summer camp
is. As a counselor it is such a thrill to watch campers do
things that they never thought possible, being able to influence
the lives of children is one of the most rewarding feelings
imaginable.
Summer
Camp's, usually have a structure and hierarchy which looks
like:
· Camp
Director: It is this persons job to see the overall
running of the camp, they usually have many years experience
in the summer camp environment. The camp director deals
with all the major decisions and issues.
· Sports
/ Program Director's: Program directors job is to organise
and oversee that all the camp activities run smoothly.
· Counselors:
There are two types of counselor's; the general counselor
and the activity-leader. General counselor's usually sleep
in the same cabin as the children, whilst eating with them
in the dining hall.
· CIT's:
Counselors in training, they are usually teenagers aged
17, who are just a year too young to become a counsellor.
They have probably been at camp as campers and now come
and learn the skills which makes a great counsellor.
· LIT's:
Learners in training, these are teenagers aged sixteen,
who are now too old to come to camp as campers, but are
too young to become counsellors. They help out with activities
and offer general assistance.
· Campers:
These are the children that come to camp and it is your
responsibility they stay safe and have a great time.
Generally
American society is extremely patriotic. Each day at camp
usually starts with the raising of the American flag and when
the daily activities finish the flag gets lowered.
In
everyday life you cannot avoid the media's influence, society
is literally injected with the media everyday through the
likes of television, radio, newspapers and political propaganda.
When the children arrive at camp they are transported into
a different world. They are taken away from the media influence,
there are no televisions to watch, or any newspapers and magazines
available. Children at camp are encouraged to be free and
make their own decisions for the time there are there.
Summer
camp provides children with the chance to escape from the
contrived world that is gripped in the media's control. In
our current cultural climate we are quite an anti-social society
humans especially children spend hours sitting in rooms watching
televisions and playing on video games.
Summer
camp help campers maintain good health, develop character
values, respect diversity and be more successful in school.
At camp historical communication values are reinforced as
children get the chance to practices speaking to people and
making friends.
To learn
more about the USA by click
here
YMCA
Camp Philosophy
Summer
camp philosophy is structured totally around the children.
YMCA
Camps use four main principles which are:
Honesty
- To act in such a way that I am worthy of trust. To tell
the truth. To have integrity; making sure my actions match
my values.
Caring
- To love others. To be sensitive to the well being of others.
To help others.
Respect
- To treat others as you would have them treat you. To value
the worth of every person, including yourself.
Responsibility
- To do what you ought to do. To be accountable for your
behavior and your obligations.
