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by Bob Ditter
Dear
Bob,
For many years I have had a concern about a particular part of our program
about which I would like your opinion. I operate a resident camp that has multiple
sessions. We just came off of an excellent summer with great staff and many
happy campers. That being said, I am dissatisfied with the way we end camp
with both campers and counselors. For many of our campers, the end seems very
emotional, which on the one hand is reassuring — a good sign that they
did, indeed, find something meaningful during their two- or three-week stay
with us. On the other hand, the emotion almost seems too much for some campers.
Some of our counselors seem unsure about what to do with campers at the end
of camp, while I feel others get too emotionally involved with campers. And
once the last group of campers has left, I feel our staff simply drifts apart.
All in all, I am concerned that we don’t prepare either our campers or
staff well enough for saying goodbye. Do you have any suggestions about how
to approach this aspect of camp life?
— Wondering in the Woods
Dear Wondering,
No one likes to say goodbye to good friends or good times. Because many campers
and counselors have difficulty facing the end of their time together, they
put off acknowledging the impending separation. Doing so can load the final
day of camp with so much emotion that it can be overwhelming. While tears
at the end of camp are great evidence that something important just happened — with
the proper amount of time and the right activities — counselors can
help campers express their feelings in ways that are both meaningful and
affirming.
Though everyone handles the end of camp somewhat differently, there
are some practices that the entire community should shift into as the
end of camp approaches. Most camps have specific activities they save
for the final days of camp, like a color war, Olympics, a banquet, or
special camp fire. While these activities do signal that camp is winding
down, they in themselves do not help prepare children or staff for the
transition that is about to occur.
It Starts at the Top
Just as you call your staff together in the days before Parent Visiting
Day or some other major camp event, the process of ending a camp session
should begin with a clear set of directives at a staff meeting dedicated
to the topic. When this meeting happens differs depending on the length
of your camp session. For a seven- or eight-week camp, it should be a
full week before the end of camp. For a four-week camp, it should be
about five days before the end; and for two-week sessions, it should
be about three or four days before the end.
At this meeting, present the steps you want your staff to take to begin
the process of leave-taking, as follows:
- Begin a “countdown” with campers in each bunk or living
unit, marking the last few days down on paper for all to see. Doing
so not only helps campers prepare emotionally, but it also helps them
think about exactly how they wish to spend their remaining time at
camp.
- Establish specific goals with each camper regarding the time left — finishing
an art or wood shop project, passing the next level of proficiency
in some activity area, going down the zip line, launching the rocket
they are making, working on a cabin “yearbook,” and so
on. Write those goals on the “countdown” sheet. Then mark
everyone’s progress.
- Do a lot of reminiscing. Recall what the first day or days of camp
were like, think out loud about things campers have tried at camp for
the very first time, and talk about the trips or excursions in which
they have participated.
- Engage in specific “end-of-camp rituals” — like Closing
Circle, making a time capsule, putting together an end-of-camp
skit, making out a last will and testament, creating a picture book
about their weeks at camp. Help campers write themselves a “letter
from camp” that contains certain memories or positive feelings
that can be mailed to them in December.
- Provide ways for campers to talk about their best, worst, fondest,
hardest, and most rewarding moments. Circle up with campers at bed
time to talk about things like what they liked most about camp, what
they will miss, what they learned about themselves, and what they can
expect when they return home (family vacation, a new school, etc.).
- Find ways to acknowledge the positive behaviors campers displayed
while at camp: cooperating, helping each other, supporting friends,
including others, and so on. These are behaviors that are consistent
with the values you are trying to teach at camp and should be validated
in both spoken and written ways (like a “certificate of cooperation”).
Counselors should engage in the process of saying goodbye that parallels
that of the campers. Have a series of smaller unit meetings with staff
to talk about the same things the campers are being encouraged to talk
about — your fondest memory of camp, something new you learned
about yourself, what you did this summer for the first time, how you
felt you improved in your work with campers, what memories you want to
be sure to hold on to, and so on. At the end, after the campers have
left, have a meal with staff and do some fun reminiscing about the highlights
of the season. A PowerPoint® slide show that focuses on positive
staff involvement with campers and one another is a great treat at such
a gathering. Consider having your staff sit in a circle and acknowledge
one another for the help, support, hard work, and encouragement they
offered campers and one another during the summer. This public appreciation
can be one of the most powerful ways to affirm the value of your staff
and send them off with a warm glow from the summer.
Practicing these steps in deliberate ways and coaching the staff with
particular activities helps to make the end of camp as meaningful and
rewarding as the rest of camp. Indeed, as adults we need to give children
the words and time for reflection that allows them to make sense out
of their camp experience, acknowledges the growth they achieved, and
helps them hold on to the gain they made while at camp.
Originally published in the 2003 November/December
issue of Camping Magazine. |
