Opening/Closing Expectations
Opening and Closing times are two hectic times at camp.
Counselors should act with the other counselors as
“ringmasters” and calm the kids down as the excitement
level at both events are extremely high. Counselors should
make sure their entire group is sitting at their bench and
behaving themselves. Counselors should have already
prepared any opening/closing activity that their group may
have been responsible for. Counselors should be attentive
at all times if the director, specialist, or other staff make
important announcements, because the announcement
could directly affect the staff member or a camper in his/her
group. Sometimes excited campers may not hear their
names called, it is important for the staff member to stay
alert and if they hear their camper’s name called, make the
camper aware of it. Counselors always participate in any
song, dance, or activity at opening/closing. This
participation creates an energetic atmosphere and
motivates the campers. Counselors should also encourage
participation as much as they can from the campers and
motivate them to be energetic with them as a good start or
finish to the day. During opening, the counselor should
always be aware of all the campers in his/her group and
make sure that all the kids are accounted for. Then it is the
counselor’s responsibility to bring the attendance to the
director as soon as the opening has adjourned. During
closing, it is important to make sure that all papers that
need to go home to parents are secure in each child's
backpack and that each child has all of his or her clothes,
lunch and backpack.
Going Above and Beyond:
1) Use this time to mention an all-camp activity.
Example- you notice that trash is being left behind. Draw
attention to this and create an all-pavillion “game” that
involves picking up trash. (I only ask that you get approval
before making an announcement like this.)
2) There may be times when the director is "late” to
opening or closing because they are dealing with another
matter at that time. If the campers are gathered and
waiting, you may take it upon yourself to lead a song or do
a sitting activity with the kids.
Counselors should act with the other counselors as
“ringmasters” and calm the kids down as the excitement
level at both events are extremely high. Counselors should
make sure their entire group is sitting at their bench and
behaving themselves. Counselors should have already
prepared any opening/closing activity that their group may
have been responsible for. Counselors should be attentive
at all times if the director, specialist, or other staff make
important announcements, because the announcement
could directly affect the staff member or a camper in his/her
group. Sometimes excited campers may not hear their
names called, it is important for the staff member to stay
alert and if they hear their camper’s name called, make the
camper aware of it. Counselors always participate in any
song, dance, or activity at opening/closing. This
participation creates an energetic atmosphere and
motivates the campers. Counselors should also encourage
participation as much as they can from the campers and
motivate them to be energetic with them as a good start or
finish to the day. During opening, the counselor should
always be aware of all the campers in his/her group and
make sure that all the kids are accounted for. Then it is the
counselor’s responsibility to bring the attendance to the
director as soon as the opening has adjourned. During
closing, it is important to make sure that all papers that
need to go home to parents are secure in each child's
backpack and that each child has all of his or her clothes,
lunch and backpack.
Going Above and Beyond:
1) Use this time to mention an all-camp activity.
Example- you notice that trash is being left behind. Draw
attention to this and create an all-pavillion “game” that
involves picking up trash. (I only ask that you get approval
before making an announcement like this.)
2) There may be times when the director is "late” to
opening or closing because they are dealing with another
matter at that time. If the campers are gathered and
waiting, you may take it upon yourself to lead a song or do
a sitting activity with the kids.
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