Oh, oh, oh,
Get with your group
Oh, oh, oh
Quiet that war whoop
Listen to the leaders when they talk
When you cross the street you need to
walk
Don’t hit Don’t bite now,
Don’t ‘cause a fight now,
Or you will end up on the time out
bench.
Please, dear helper come and join the
game
Standing ‘round can get a little lame
Jump in and help out
Don’t make us ask you ‘bout it
Please try to see those things that
we need done
Oh, oh, oh
Don’t rough-house in the halls
Oh, oh, oh
Don’t climb the chapel walls
Little ones are watching what you do
And they so want to be just like you
If you break the rules
Then they will want to too-oo
You gotta be a good example now.
Oh, oh, oh,
Get with your group
Oh, oh, oh
Quiet that war whoop
Listen to the leaders when they talk
When you cross the street you need to walk
Don’t hit Don’t bite now,
Don’t ‘cause a fight now,
Or you will end up on the time out bench.
Leadership isn't easy.
And every summer we throw a bunch of teens into rooms with dozens of squirrelly little pre-schoolers, a handful of pre-teens, and a lot of prayers that things will turn out on the other end from senior staff.
Some are going to learn on the job, learn what didn't work one week and try something new on the others, and in that aspect camp is a wonderful experimental lab where young adults can develop and grow. But every once in a while you see them floundering, and you think - hey maybe they need a floatation device, maybe they need a coach to show them how to do it.
And that's where I flounder. Because I don't feel like I have a good enough grasp on a lot of things to be that coach. But when the chips fall down, I do have a few more years, a few more tools in my toolbox, a few more tips and tricks. And while I can't claim to be good enough to coach, I don't mind being the team manager and making sure that tools get into hands that need them.
So, one of those areas where all but the most charismatically gifted start to flounder is in giving direction. Whether it is "line up now" to group of preschoolers who want nothing more than to play with the toys in the room that they've seen but not been able to touch all week, or "could you help out?" to a pre-teen who really only wants to goof off with their friends, directing others can be a sticky spot.
And this is supposed to be a mini- lesson, so let's just tackle one of those two age groups right now - directing middle school volunteers.
Tool #1 Monday AM meet & greet - It's more than just their name. Try to ask about what they like to do, if they've been to camp before as a helper, etc. Goal: Fitting your volunteer into places they can shine, and grow. And you absolutely cannot do that if you know nothing about them.
Tool #2 Communicate what needs to be done clearly, never assume - Set out tasks and take the time to let your volunteers know where you need them and what you need them to do. Some will jump in, but most need some guidelines, a place to belong, a job description.
Tool #3 Invite them in as a part of your team and treat them with the respect and courtesy that you give the rest of your co-workers. If you can do this successfully, your week will be easier by far.
Tool #4 Check-in with them, see how they are holding up, ask them what has been good, what has been hard.
Tool#5 If you have to give the "don't do that" statements: remember there are scales on reactions. If they are giving piggy backs on the stairs again, a gentle hand on the shoulder and a smile, when you say "Hey I'm sure it slipped your mind, or maybe you didn't know. . ." will go better than a bark from 15 feet away of " Put that kid down NOW!"
Tool #6 Again with any "negative" feedback, try to provide the reasons. People like to know why they cannot do something. (This works with preschool too.) Let students know the reasoning behind decisions. (If we climb down in the window well to get the balls when the campers are looking on - they are going to want to do it too. And it would be dangerous for them. Maybe you can do it with Ashley after we leave, You both can catch back up with us at snack time.)
Tool #7 Talk to volunteers like you talk to your friends. Do not treat them like campers. Do not call them "boys and girls". Do not adopt a "singsongy" voice or word patterns that are used with younger kids.
Tool #8 Remember them some way during the week. It could be that you spring for a cold can of soda after getting the kids to rest/movie time on a hot day, it could be a note of encouragement, telling them something you saw that they were doing great at. Those things will go a long long way.
Tool #9 Remember that Jesus invested more in the disciples than he did in the crowds. You have limited time during the week, and a lot of it by necessity is going to be camper focused. But try to set some aside for volunteer helpers, even if it needs to come out of preparing for that craft or setting up another activity station. The time you spend investing in the volunteers will pay off in the long run.
Tool #10 Give them responsibility. Let them own a part of camp. Whether that is being a buddy to that one camper that needs extra, or being in charge of getting snack out, or leading a game - maybe even leading a small group once during the week - yup there are some that are ready for that. Try to give them places where they can grow.
Tool #11 Team up. Pair volunteer helpers with staff so that each person gets a chance to mentor someone. This divide and conquer tactic means that the room leader isn't fully responsible for checking in with all of the volunteers on top of the rest of the responsibilities they have. It also gives a chance for a relationship to happen more than one person shouting out duties all the time. On the "team up front," if your duties are done and theirs aren't, ask if you can help out. Serving together, watching out for each other - these are good things.
Tool #12 Play. One of the great things about camp Zoom is that we get to play. Playing together builds something inside us. If you can get a group of campers and a volunteer playing and you are in the mix too - that is a cool place to be rather than watching it all from the shade trees or counters.
Tool #13 There are times when none of the other tools have worked. You might have switched up your teams in hopes of finding the "right" staffer to be the buddy for that one volunteer that won't talk to anyone, you've written notes, tried to look for positives, given clear directions, and nothing, nothing is working. Before you scream, cry, or get to a state of frustration that eats at you, hand off the situation to senior staff. That's what we're here for. Know that you aren't expected to solve all of these sticky interpersonal issues all on your own. You have back-up, so know when to call them in!
13 tools - a bakers dozen and something to start thinking and praying about! While you're praying, say a few for our volunteers coming to help this summer too.
:)
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