Counselors' handbook

[gabor85_hungary]

I wonder if any of you have a counselors' handbook or any training material which you use to let the first timer counselors or CITs know about all the camp policies/procedures/rules.

I would like to read that kind of things because as a foreigner I've discovered many differences compared to my camp. It's like changing my paradigms about camps every day. And I'm afraid there are still hidden rules and policies: )

(I'm interested in on-line or scanned versions of course)

[Thumbelina1988]

Camp America has a counselor's handbook which you can download once your application has been accepted and then we're given one.

[speedx5xracer]

we dont have one but word of mouth is used alot to give people an idea what to expect

[Trees]

I've heard the Camp America handbook is sort of specific to private East Coast camps... I don't know if that's still true.

Camps are fairly individualized--I think it'd be hard to have a manual that was very helpful--and yes, I think there ARE always "hidden" policies and rules that camps forget to explain or just assume are common knowledge--I've found that everywhere--hopefully they explain during precamp and you aren't left to figure them out on your own... are you assigned to a camp yet? Most camps send detailed packets of information to internationals.

[Smudge]

No.

The camp america handbook is a general one cos they dont just place people in private east coast camps - they put people in alsorts (religious, private, scout/girl scout camps, charity camps and special needs camps) of camps across the USA (including Alaska) so they have to general enough to suit all these situations (and it has been like that since 2001 (although i guess it could have changed in 2005/2006 it is very much the same as it was when i was there in previous years.

[annknee]

CCUSA has a general handbook as well as suplements for girl scout camps and special needs camps and support staff. At our camp everyone gets a camp manual with policies, rules and procedures, kapers and stuff. Its kind of a big deal getting the manual, almost as big as getting the staff shirts!

[Possuumm]

here's a few websites for some information!

http://www.ultimatecampresource.com/
http://www.visionrealization.com/

Hope it helps :)