Campers that you had problems getting along with

[speedx5xracer]

I know were not susposed to pick favorites or dislike any campers but it is inevitable that there are just some people you cant get along with no matter how much you try. I was just wondering what was the worst situation a camper put you in.

I had a camper this past summer who at first everyone thought was a cute kid who couldnt do any thing wrong. On visiting day night when we were all in the bunk and all the kids put their candy and snacks in the center to share this camper walks over and starts throwing out every ones food. I took him aside and asked him why hes doing that, he inturn told me that I was killing the kids by allowing them to eat candy and consumer sugar. I asked him where he got this notion from thinking that his parents are just very health conciouse but he said that they are worse than I was. I went over to talk to my cocounlers to explain the situation and then i was going to go to our DH and ask for his advice. As im talking on the other side of the bunk he started throwing the rest of the food out.... The rest of the bunk started crying and yelling. I again took im aside and explained that it is their choice to eat that and he should not impose his beliefs on to them by force. I asked him what snack he would prefer to eat instead and he responded spinach, In shock i was like really, Ive never known a 7 year old to choose spinach over junkfood, fruits or any other food. At my sound of shock he slaped me across the face. He went back for a second hit and i was able to catch his hand and restrain him to the point where i was able to carry him to the director that was on duty at the time.
From that day on every time he saw me with a soda or junk food from the canteen he would make it his mission to go out of the way to say im killing my self or other people by letting them consume sugar.


I was just wondering has any one else ever had a camper that go to them so much that you couldnt bear it any more adn were to the point of snapping.

[rockinsmiles]

Definitely...i dont like saying it but i have had quite a few campers that have pushed me to the edge (being 1 week sessions there are a lot of different campers though). Of course there are some who only pushed me like one day but i can remember i few who did it all week. I had one girl who seemed like she was always whining and complaining. and another who never took responsibility for her actions (she said that it was the beliers fault she didnt make it to the top of the climbing wall). However there was one girl who really tested me. I had to call her down 3 times in probably a 4 hour span if not less. She was very disrespectful to both the staff and campers. And when i talked to her she said the only people she had to respect was her parents and grandparents. plus she was always calling people names and was another person who didnt take responsibility for her actioins.

[camper]

ugh. i have one camper who thinks she's the coolest girl in the universe. if you call her on ANYTHING she goes and sits on her bed and cries and won't talk to you or anyone else. she thinks she has complete control of all of the other girls in the bunk, they're all friends w/her, but in a way they're scared of her too. i'm hoping to mold her a little over the next few summers though, i don't want her to turn into one of those girls who is just mean for her whole life...and she has a TON of good qualities that would be great if she used them. she's just veryyyy annoying and mean.

[CAMPFRIEND]

I know were not susposed to pick favorites or dislike any campers but it is inevitable that there are just some people you cant get along with no matter how much you try. I was just wondering what was the worst situation a camper put you in.

I had a camper this past summer who at first everyone thought was a cute kid who couldnt do any thing wrong. On visiting day night when we were all in the bunk and all the kids put their candy and snacks in the center to share this camper walks over and starts throwing out every ones food. I took him aside and asked him why hes doing that, he inturn told me that I was killing the kids by allowing them to eat candy and consumer sugar. I asked him where he got this notion from thinking that his parents are just very health conciouse but he said that they are worse than I was. I went over to talk to my cocounlers to explain the situation and then i was going to go to our DH and ask for his advice. As im talking on the other side of the bunk he started throwing the rest of the food out.... The rest of the bunk started crying and yelling. I again took im aside and explained that it is their choice to eat that and he should not impose his beliefs on to them by force. I asked him what snack he would prefer to eat instead and he responded spinach, In shock i was like really, Ive never known a 7 year old to choose spinach over junkfood, fruits or any other food. At my sound of shock he slaped me across the face. He went back for a second hit and i was able to catch his hand and restrain him to the point where i was able to carry him to the director that was on duty at the time.
From that day on every time he saw me with a soda or junk food from the canteen he would make it his mission to go out of the way to say im killing my self or other people by letting them consume sugar.


I was just wondering has any one else ever had a camper that go to them so much that you couldnt bear it any more adn were to the point of snapping.

How did the director let that camper stay at camp after slaping a counselor? I would never let that fly at my camp.

[speedx5xracer]

"Isolated incident"- her exact words... I requested to be moved to a different bunk in my division on changeover day which was 8 days later so it wasnt too bad. If he was a persistant problem with violence his parents would have been informed that he may be better off at our Lake Como site. As was the case with one kind in the oldest boys division.

[CAMPFRIEND]

"Isolated incident"- her exact words... I requested to be moved to a different bunk in my division on changeover day which was 8 days later so it wasnt too bad. If he was a persistant problem with violence his parents would have been informed that he may be better off at our Lake Como site. As was the case with one kind in the oldest boys division.

I have to ask What do you think should have happend to that camper?

[speedx5xracer]

Honestly since my initial reaction could have been seen as provokative, the camper should not have been kicked out. However he should have had to talk w. the camp social worker. I think he should have been given a warning that his actions are unwelcome by the director and told that if he continued hitting staff and throwing out peoples snacks then he should have been sent to either the Lake Como site or back home with his parents... I would not stand for his actions a second time and I voiced that to my DH and was granted my request to switch bunks.

[rockinsmiles]

You guys have a social work at camp?

I dont always understand the "kick out" policy. my co-counselor told me that last year he had a camper who (i kid not) knocked out a fellow camper, started fist fights, and threw another one into bed. my co-counselor told both the director and the agent from the county of the camper to "send his ass home." but the agent disagreed and the director upheld the agent's dissicision. beleive me the director made some changes this year. we had a camper who bit another camper and didnt ever listen to the staff and he didnt last the whole week.

[Dave]

Oh the memories I have of one camper that was in my bunk two summers ago (my first summer). For the first couple weeks of camp we were friendly. Then later on he started to annoy me. He'd cry over the stupidest things, and he'd always be tugging on our shirts asking stupid questions. I got so annoyed with him. Then one day he told me that he wanted me out of his life. Sure I was annoyed with him, but I didn't show it. So I stopped talking to him after a couple days of trying to find out what was wrong. For the last three weeks of camp, we never said a word to each other. And it wasn't just me, he said the same thing to our CIT. Weird.

[CAMPFRIEND]

You guys have a social work at camp?

I dont always understand the "kick out" policy. my co-counselor told me that last year he had a camper who (i kid not) knocked out a fellow camper, started fist fights, and threw another one into bed. my co-counselor told both the director and the agent from the county of the camper to "send his ass home." but the agent disagreed and the director upheld the agent's dissicision. beleive me the director made some changes this year. we had a camper who bit another camper and didnt ever listen to the staff and he didnt last the whole week.

I think that a lot of camps are now hiring a social worker at their camps. Kids have a lot more problems and it's good to have another person for them to goto. If I could go back to camp for a summer that is what I would want to do!! They can be a great addition to any staff.

[Flukie]

When I was a Junior Counselor, I had a camper "from hell" (so to speak!). During a week unit, she broke all the rules, was mean to other campers and just generally set everyone on edge. The director knew, but we managed to get through the week without major issues. I caught her, on the last day of camp, running DOWN a hill with a cart with two trunks and some other luggage bouncing behind her. I was so scared - I did yell at her to stop and that she could have seriously hurt herself! I escorted her down the hill and told her that I knew she was coming back next session and that I knew she hadn't had TONS of fun this session. I added that we had rules for a reason and that if she didn't follow them, it wasn't our fault if that was why she was unhappy - that was her choice.

She told her mother than I told her that I hoped she was miserable at camp and never came back. Mom was pissed and demanded I be removed from the camp for the following session - especially her unit. The director refused. Mom was ticked. Girl did come back and was in my unit - I wasn't supposed to speak with her. Fine. First night there, she comes over, leans on my knee, looks up at me and says, "Fluke, will you pleeeeeeeease braid my hair for me???" So I did. Her aunts worked in the kitchen that summer (random coincidence) and let her call home on Wednesday when her mother convinced her she wanted to go home. Director was irate at aunts and mother (no camper has phone access!!). Kid insisted she was going. I sat down with her and our UL and explained that she hadn't understood what I meant the week before and that I was sorry she thought I didn't like her (a request from the director that I apologize before the end of the session). She said she didn't know what I meant - she just didn't want to go to camp that session!! :speechles I was floored. Twenty minutes later, back to the unit she comes. She's changed her mind and is staying.

Unbelieveable. I then realized I'd had this kid at day camp two years before and she pulled the same stuff. Made me feel sooo much better about myself as a counselor. Whatever was said that day (and it was so long ago, I honestly don't know the exact words!) it was NEVER that she shouldn't have fun or not come back! ARGH!

[code3cadet]

I work with at lot of famous kids at my old camp. I had this one kid that I told him that He can not go down to his cabin with out a staff member. The kid and there friends yelled at me. The next day when I took this group paint balling they shot me like 20 time. I was the Ref.

I had this two twins that would not stop fighting with all the kids in the cabin. Every day there would find a new way to get in to a fight. When the twins are in the cabin there are devils. When they are out of the cabin they are cut and all the staff liked them. I would go to the HC to get help with the kids and he would do nothing. Jet my co-councilor and I did not know what to do. When they did not fight with the other campers they did it with each other. I mad them go home 12 hours before the end of camp. On this day to get back at us they peed there pants. This was my first week at this camp.

[Dave]

code3cadet: What camp did you work at where you got to be with famous kids?

[code3cadet]

code3cadet: What camp did you work at where you got to be with famous kids?

I worked at pali adventures in runing spring CA www.paliadventures.com

[Dave]

It must've been pretty cool to get to work with them.

[code3cadet]

it is all right. I would like to work at a camp that is a 501 c 3 next year I hated the boss that I worked for. the kids are good still talk to all of them.

[CAMPFRIEND]

I have gotten to work with kids like that. It makes for a fun summer. One time at camp we had a camper who came with a bodyguard. He would get in fights and than his bodyguard would step in. I have to say I don't like kicking kids out of camp, but he was one that I did enjoy. I told the parents it was either the bodyguard or both. The took him out of camp.
Oh well!

[speedx5xracer]

I have gotten to work with kids like that. It makes for a fun summer. One time at camp we had a camper who came with a bodyguard. He would get in fights and than his bodyguard would step in. I have to say I don't like kicking kids out of camp, but he was one that I did enjoy. I told the parents it was either the bodyguard or both. The took him out of camp.
Oh well!


camper w/ a body guard.... that is so werid. Why would any one need a body guard at camp.

[code3cadet]

We would not have body guards at camp. they will not let kids bring body guards

[rockinsmiles]

I think that a lot of camps are now hiring a social worker at their camps. Kids have a lot more problems and it's good to have another person for them to goto. If I could go back to camp for a summer that is what I would want to do!! They can be a great addition to any staff.

Thats pretty interesting...ive never heard of that. What do the social workers do when they are not "consoling" campers? I think the closest thing we ever had was a juvenile parole officier and he was a voulunteer. it was a coincidence though that one of the campers in my group was on parole and the voulenteer was good friends with that camper's officier..maybe a bit freaking too.

[speedx5xracer]

At my camp when the social worker is counceling campers/staff she is usualy on call in one of the offices to answer parents questions as well as doing training programs for the TAC intersns (CITs in their last year as campers) on how to deal with the transition from camper to staff and handle common camper problems.

[code3cadet]

Thats pretty interesting...ive never heard of that. What do the social workers do when they are not "consoling" campers? I think the closest thing we ever had was a juvenile parole officier and he was a voulunteer. it was a coincidence though that one of the campers in my group was on parole and the voulenteer was good friends with that camper's officier..maybe a bit freaking too.

We do not have that we just have a camp moms

[camper]

our camp won't let people bring bodyguards or personal security either...one time the family of a pretty well-known person toured and our 24 hour security wasn't enough for them, they suggested a body guard and when the camp said they didn't think that would work, they decided not to come.

[CAMPFRIEND]

Your camp is lucky. It was a pain in the butt.

[code3cadet]

Ya But sime kids need it like the pres. and there kids. and the gov and there kids

[speedx5xracer]

No child should ever need additional security at a camp. In my mind If your camp is doing its job the additional security would be a distraction and dangerous in some cases both physicaly and emotionaly.

O and FYI code3cadet.. the secret service agents assigned to the presidents family stop at age 18 for children and they would take over as general security for the camp not body guards. And state troopers are the security for governers and their family, however they are not guarenteed for their children

[code3cadet]

Ya I know I was a police cadet for 3 years. no there is no need for it at camp at all if i am doing my job. the kids can not get in to trubil. but at my camp we go offsite a lot with the youth. and most kids stay all summer. but there is no bodygourds at my camp

[Dave]

None of our kids are famous so we don't have bodyguards at our camp. It would be strange to have them I think. And there's enough staff at our camp to keep our eyes out for suspicious people. We're told what to do in situations with suspicious people before camp starts. Anyone in our camp either has to have a guest name tag (and they're usually accompanied by a staff member), a staff name tag, or are a camper. Anyone who doesn't fit that description are pulled off to the side and questioned. Then we take them to the trailers and have them talk to the camp director.

[code3cadet]

None of our kids are famous so we don't have bodyguards at our camp. It would be strange to have them I think. And there's enough staff at our camp to keep our eyes out for suspicious people. We're told what to do in situations with suspicious people before camp starts. Anyone in our camp either has to have a guest name tag (and they're usually accompanied by a staff member), a staff name tag, or are a camper. Anyone who doesn't fit that description are pulled off to the side and questioned. Then we take them to the trailers and have them talk to the camp director.

YA we have a locked gate that people need a code to get in to are camp. and the news is there off and on. and we do the same as you. but staff do not have name tags and guest other then the new can not came to camp

[camper]

we have 24 hour security- our security guards come straight from the israeli army (you think i'm kidding...i'm totally serious haha!) the security guards stop anyone coming into camp to find out who they are and why they are at camp. then, they open the gate for them. the people that are allowed to open the gate themselves have key cards. also, we can always recognize visitors or people that don't belong at camp b/c we're a uniform camp. if a person out of uniform is not on a tour group, a counselor always goes up and says, "hi, can i help you? are you looking for someone?" and we direct them to the right people. if they say they don't know or they're just looking around, we get security to come.

[code3cadet]

We have a police officer that is are security guard for us at the night time. in the day he is a police officer at night he is at camp walking around

[who_stole_my_loofa]

i dont think we would ever ever ever let someone bring their body guard- thats a little much. not to mention- where would they sleep? they cant be in the cabin if they are an opposite sex. what about changing and bed time and anything else that just doenst seem.. er body guard appropriate. so weird

[code3cadet]

There are girl body guards, let not make it all about sex. I was a bodyguard I saw females as bodyguards.

[speedx5xracer]

Code3cadet can u please explain what a bodyguard at your camp had to do. and the reaction from your director?

[code3cadet]

we do not have bodyguard at my camp our camp is locked with a gate no one can git in with out a code. I was a bodyguard before I work at camps. for like five day did not like

[who_stole_my_loofa]

i wasnt making it about sex... i just dont think it would work either way.

[speedx5xracer]

code3cadet in your other posts you say they broght bodyguards w. them. What did they have to do while at camp.

[code3cadet]

i wasnt making it about sex... i just dont think it would work either way.
I ws just palying I know you are not it was a joke

[code3cadet]

code3cadet in your other posts you say they broght bodyguards w. them. What did they have to do while at camp.

Can you show me that post if I did:I do not think I told you guys that if you find it tell me and I Delete it. At the camp i work at they do not have bodyguard. There is no need for them at all


I have gotten to work with kids like that. It makes for a fun summer. One time at camp we had a camper who came with a bodyguard. He would get in fights and than his bodyguard would step in. I have to say I don't like kicking kids out of camp, but he was one that I did enjoy. I told the parents it was either the bodyguard or both. The took him out of camp.Oh well!