Archery Expectations
Performing as a counselor at Archery is not who can wow
the kids with how many bull’s eyes they can get, but how
well you can help the instructor.
Archery is probably one of the most fun activities at camp,
but if not handled appropriately, can also become one of
the most dangerous activities at camp. Expectations are
that counselors will help the archery instructor as best as
they can. First, by asking the instructor if there is anything
that you can do to help them setup. The kids should be
able to get as much time as possible at each event so that
they are not missing out on any opportunity. As the activity
goes into full swing, a counselor should be monitoring and
managing all of the campers’ behavior. The instructor
should be watching the campers who are shooting, making
sure the shooters are safe; they should not have to be
distracted by unruly campers and take time away from the
shooters to discipline. A counselor should monitor the
safety of the shooters as well. There are things that the
instructor may miss, the counselor should be there to pick
up any slack they miss. While Arching is a blast for some
kids, waiting to arch, can become tedious, especially with
the introductory period. A counselor should keep the kids
waiting, occupied with a quiet, subdued game, or even
facilitating a snack time if the time is appropriate and the
counselor makes sure that the entire area is clean when
they are done. Sometimes passing around the group
notebook to color or draw in can be a constructive activity
for the waiting campers to engage in. Whatever the activity
may be, it is best that the activity be inclusive to the whole
group, but exclusive to the activities of other groups,
meaning, that since Archery is in the field with other
groups, it is easy for the campers seeing other groups
doing activities in the field. If a counselor allows one child
to play with the other group, then they will have to let
others as well. Pretty soon, there is no one arching and
everyone is playing capture the flag. A good counselor
should also provide additional encouragement to the
shooters. It is one thing to get encouragement from the
specialist that they hardly see, but it is another thing to get
encouragement from a counselor with the kids have grown
to admire and respect. When leaving, a counselor should
ask if there is anything more they can do to assist the
specialist and then move on to the next activity period.
Going Above and Beyond:
1) Archery is a time when you too can think out of the
box (get the archery directors approval though). Add some
spice to the targets. The kids do not have to just shoot at
the plain targets, you may add variety to the targets. Bring
balloons for them to aim for. Have a special bull’s eye
award. Put notes in balloons and if they pop that balloon
they get to do whatever the notes says: example- soak the
counselor with a water bottle.
2) Passing around the group diary to color or draw in
can also help occupy campers who are waiting to shoot.
the kids with how many bull’s eyes they can get, but how
well you can help the instructor.
Archery is probably one of the most fun activities at camp,
but if not handled appropriately, can also become one of
the most dangerous activities at camp. Expectations are
that counselors will help the archery instructor as best as
they can. First, by asking the instructor if there is anything
that you can do to help them setup. The kids should be
able to get as much time as possible at each event so that
they are not missing out on any opportunity. As the activity
goes into full swing, a counselor should be monitoring and
managing all of the campers’ behavior. The instructor
should be watching the campers who are shooting, making
sure the shooters are safe; they should not have to be
distracted by unruly campers and take time away from the
shooters to discipline. A counselor should monitor the
safety of the shooters as well. There are things that the
instructor may miss, the counselor should be there to pick
up any slack they miss. While Arching is a blast for some
kids, waiting to arch, can become tedious, especially with
the introductory period. A counselor should keep the kids
waiting, occupied with a quiet, subdued game, or even
facilitating a snack time if the time is appropriate and the
counselor makes sure that the entire area is clean when
they are done. Sometimes passing around the group
notebook to color or draw in can be a constructive activity
for the waiting campers to engage in. Whatever the activity
may be, it is best that the activity be inclusive to the whole
group, but exclusive to the activities of other groups,
meaning, that since Archery is in the field with other
groups, it is easy for the campers seeing other groups
doing activities in the field. If a counselor allows one child
to play with the other group, then they will have to let
others as well. Pretty soon, there is no one arching and
everyone is playing capture the flag. A good counselor
should also provide additional encouragement to the
shooters. It is one thing to get encouragement from the
specialist that they hardly see, but it is another thing to get
encouragement from a counselor with the kids have grown
to admire and respect. When leaving, a counselor should
ask if there is anything more they can do to assist the
specialist and then move on to the next activity period.
Going Above and Beyond:
1) Archery is a time when you too can think out of the
box (get the archery directors approval though). Add some
spice to the targets. The kids do not have to just shoot at
the plain targets, you may add variety to the targets. Bring
balloons for them to aim for. Have a special bull’s eye
award. Put notes in balloons and if they pop that balloon
they get to do whatever the notes says: example- soak the
counselor with a water bottle.
2) Passing around the group diary to color or draw in
can also help occupy campers who are waiting to shoot.
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