Physical Needs

Make sure your campers are:

1. Eating properly & drinking enough water Arrange with the waitress / kitchen staff how you’ll get special foods for campers with dietary restrictions.
2. Sleeping well Stay with the bunk until the majority are asleep, before the OD comes in.
3. Dressed for the weather (sweater / sunscreen / rain boots) and wearing proper footwear for each activity
4. Behaving in a safe manner
5. Having medical needs met:
   • Campers on medication go to the nurse to take it
   • A camper who isn’t feeling well reports to the nurse
   • Follow health-center protocol — don’t bring campers in for small cuts or minor incidents, so the nurse has time and energy for severe ones

Emotional Needs

1. Treat each camper with love and respect
2. Look out for a camper who may feel sad or homesick
3. Look out for campers who may be struggling socially
4. Reach out to head staff for help with any camper or bunk situation that’s too much to handle alone

You’ll learn a lot in staff training. You are capable of affecting great change among campers — you may surprise yourself with the influence you have.

רוחניות Needs

1. Maintain a personal standard in אידישקייט and חסידישקייט as a Dugma Chaya in thought, speech, action & dress. The campers all want to be like you — make sure your behavior is always fitting for them to imitate.
2. Infuse energy, give compliments, and encourage campers in the activities
3. Take advantage of moments to discuss concepts and farbreng with campers — these conversations may stick with them forever

Responsibility

1. Charge your radio nightly so it’s ready the next day
2. Respond on the radio when you hear your name called
3. Take responsibility for camp property in your care (radios, MP3s, speakers, etc.) — used properly, not broken
4. Go to sleep at a reasonable hour so you have energy for your campers
5. Follow camp phone protocol

Discipline

1. Prioritize your relationship with your campers — seek out positive interactions to maximize the effectiveness of any discipline that becomes necessary
2. Stop inappropriate behavior if you see it You are an authority figure to the campers and have the ability to influence them.
3. Report any necessary incidents to the relevant parties This step comes only once you’ve done your part — step into your role!

Sometimes there are issues that can’t be resolved in camp. We can offer support, but sometimes, if an issue isn’t resolved, it’s because it can’t be — and we must do our best to love the campers and be there for them.