Being a great, active, engaged supervisor is what really sets a First Class Counselor apart. Here’s how to do it.

Welcome to episode 18 of First Class Counselors!

When you hear the word “supervise” it may conjure up a picture of a parent sitting on a park bench watching their kid play on a jungle gym.

Let’s get this straight. That is NOT what we’re talking about here.

When a “First Class” camp counselor is “supervising” campers, it’s almost like they are using a superpower. They can spot problems before they even happen. They are connecting with kids. They are supporting their colleagues. Is this amazing skill something counsellors just KNOW?

No! But it’s one of those things that usually has to come with a bit of experience.

On this episode of First Class Counselors, we hack the supervision superpower and give even brand new counsellors the keys to unlock their inner supervision superhero.

Tune in to this episode to hear about:

What are the different levels of supervision? What’s the difference between “zone” and “person” coverage?
The DARLING supervision framework (h/t to James Davis and the Summer Camp Society for this idea)
Where are the most important areas for stellar supervision at camp?
How to make supervision engaging for both you and the campers you are caring for?

We hope you enjoy this episode, and most importantly, find it useful!

If you have any feedback, or a suggestion for a future FCC show, send Matt an email at matt@gocamp.pro

Get Ready - Counselors, do this NOW to level up your counselling skills

Oliver: Mark Rober, a Youtuber who makes learning STEM activities extremely engaging! - (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY1kMZp36IQSyNx_9h4mpCg)

Matt: Pick up a new instrument NOW! You won’t learn when you’re at camp unless someone offers staff lessons (which there likely won’t be time for) and if you know the basic chords, and have a capo, you can play most camp songs and go from there.

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Host Links

Oliver Gregan, Summer and Families Camp Director at YMCA Camp Jewell
Matt Honsberger, Executive Producer of Podcasting at Go Camp Pro

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What is First Class Counselors?

Camp Directors, this Podcast isn’t for you. It’s time to delegate! First Class Counsellors is for your counselling staff, the ones who are on the ground, playing with kids and changing lives.

Each week, we’ll cover practical and accessible tips that will level up your camp counsellor skills. These are things every counsellor should know, but that you may not have time to teach in staff training.

Our two hosts, Oliver Gregan, Summer and Families Camp Director at YMCA Camp Jewell and Matt Honsberger from Go Camp Pro are excited to be able to provide this resource to camp counsellors and up and coming staff, who they believe, have the most important job at camp.