Working with Children

Everything you need to know about your campers, who they will be and your responsibilities as their Counsellor.

How old will the children I work with be?

At the majority of Camps the children will be between 6 - 15 years old.

The exceptions to this are:

At Day Camps there may be children younger than 6, getting their first taste of Camp but not staying away from home overnight.
At Special Needs Camps there may be vulnerable young adults over the age of 15.
Your Camp may have CIT’s or LIT’s (counsellors/leaders in training) who are campers ages 15 - 17 years old, learning to be counsellors of the future.

Where will my campers be from and what will they be like?

Most campers are from the US, but exactly where depends on the Camp. Some Camps mainly attract children from the nearby states, while others have campers from all over the US and around the world.

Based on Camp Type you should expect campers to be from the following communities:

At most traditional Camps: campers will be from middle to upper class backgrounds, where their families are paying partial or full Camp fees.
At Non-Profit or Underprivileged Camps: campers will be from lower socio-economic backgrounds or in foster care.
At Religious Camps: campers will be from religious communities.
At Special Needs Camps: campers will have a range of special needs or disabilities.

In regards to their personalities and needs:

Younger campers (6–11): Have lots of energy and are less independent. They need help with routines, like getting ready for bed, and more attentive supervision.
Older campers (12–16): Are more independent and may have been to Camp for several years. They will be more accustomed to routines but may struggle more with relationship conflict, emotional difficulties and bullying.

How many children will I be working with?

In your cabin group there could be anywhere between 5 - 15 campers that are under your care. At most residential Camps, you will have a group of campers that are your responsibility during Camp routines such as meal times and bedtime, however you will come into contact with hundreds of campers each summer through teaching and coaching activities, or during Camp-wide events.

Can I choose what age group I work with?

You can usually express a preference, but there's no guarantee you'll get your first choice, as Camp leadership will put you with the age range they feel you will be most suited to.

During your staff training period you should receive some information on the different age groups and what to expect from them, and then will usually be given a chance to express a preference. Following this, it is up to your Camps leadership where you are needed, and this could change during the summer in accordance with your Camps staffing needs.

Do I have to live with the children?

In most roles at overnight Camps, you will be expected to live with your campers. The only exceptions to this are if you are at a Day Camp where the children do not stay overnight or if you are in a specialised or leadership position where you may be in staff-only housing.

Don’t let this put you off, as living with your campers is part of the fun of Camp. This is how you form incredible bonds with the children in your care.

What is a CIT or LIT?

CIT (Counsellor in training) and LIT (Leader in training) are leadership programs at Camp for older campers usually 15 - 17 years old. These are usually longtime campers who are preparing to become counsellors in the near future. During the program they will learn leadership skills, teamwork, and how to work with younger campers by supporting in Cabins or during activities.

If you're assigned a CIT or LIT with your activity or cabin group, you should act as a role model to them on how to work well with campers. They are still campers so you should maintain the professional boundary you would with campers of any age, while giving them the respect and responsibility of a fellow counsellor.

What is safeguarding at Camp?

Safeguarding at Camp is the proactive policies, procedures, and practices implemented to protect campers from harm, abuse and neglect. Maintaining a Camps safeguarding policies is the responsibility of all staff and involves protecting children from harm and creating an environment where they are safe. It's one of the most important parts of being a counselor, and you'll receive training on your Camps safeguarding procedures before campers arrive.

Safeguarding involves the following:

Keeping children physically safe - by supervising activities appropriately and maintaining health and safety regulations.
Protecting children's wellbeing - by treating campers with kindness and respect and recognising the signs of bullying and discrimination.
Recognizing signs of abuse - by noticing changes in behaviour, unexplained injuries, or concerning information campers share with you, that could indicate abuse at Camp or at home. You are not expected to investigate these situations yourself, but to report any and all concerns to Camp leadership. Your role is to listen appropriately and always avoid making promises you can't keep, such as promising to keep reports of abuse a secret.
Maintaining professional boundaries - by being a counsellor and not a friend. You should not touch campers inappropriately, use inappropriate language or connect with your campers on social media. You should respect the privacy of your campers and avoid being alone with them by using the Rule of Three.

What is the Rule of Three?

The Rule of Three is a common child safeguarding policy at Camps, that prevents staff from being alone with a Camper on a 1-on-1 basis. The rule states that a minimum of 3 people should be present: usually two staff members and one Camper, or one staff member and two campers.

This is a policy that the majority of Camps will train staff on during the staff training period. The purpose is not only to protect campers from abuse, but also to protect counsellors from false accusations of abuse, by making sure interactions are fully witnessed and appropriate.

In situations where you need a private moment with a camper to comfort them when distressed, for example, you should still be remaining completely visible and within earshot of other staff.

What do I do if I suspect my camper is experiencing abuse?

If you suspect a camper is experiencing abuse, either at Camp or at home, a typical safeguarding response would be:

Report suspected abuse to your safeguarding lead (usually the Camp Director or Unit Leader) immediately.
Stay calm and listen when campers report abuse to you. Do not ask leading questions and just let them speak.
Avoid making promises you cannot keep, such as promising to keep reports of abuse a secret, as they do need to be reported.
Keep note of changes in behaviour or repeated signs of abuse and report this to your safeguarding lead.
Do not confront any people you suspect may be involved or spread information of the suspected abuse to your peers.