Challenge: 2 parts.
Part 1: Describe a specific camp activity that teaches campers one or more of the above.
Part 2: How do you as a staff member know if you have reached your goal - how can you measure a camper's success (increasing one of the above mission statement parts) in that specific activity?
Prize (first 3 posts): A photograph of an adorable little puppy named Zima
I think that the Mohawk Walk, the low ropes element with the circle of cables is a good activity to build courage, confidence, and character. It takes a lot of courage for some girls to step out on to the cable without anything to hang on to and increases their confidence when they succeed in their task of walking all the way around the course. The primary way that the girls increase character is by learning how to work as a group. They must work together to get everyone around the course so they learn how to compromise. They also must trust the people who are spotting them when they are out on the wire. How a staff member would measure courage on the Mohawk Walk is if you have a camper who is very hesitant to go out on the cable at first but eventually agrees to go. Confidence can be measured by asking the group at the end how they thought the activity went; or simply by watching the girls' facial expressions as they finish the course, if they feel confident they will look excited and happy. Character can be measured by how well the group works together. If they have learned compromise they will not spend lots of time arguing over whose idea is best.
ReplyDelete-Gingko
Speedy Says: I pick horseback riding. It takes courage to ride a horse, to pick the hooves, to walk behind it while touching it's butt instead of making a wide arc around it, to go into the pasture (in the middle of all the big scary horses) and catch a horse that may or may not want to be caught, to trust yourself and the horse to make the jump, or the turn, to canter, to stop... I could go on.
ReplyDeleteBut as the girls learn and practice all of these things, they build confidence in themselves and their abilities and trust with the horses & the staff to not lead them astray or let them get hurt. The more confident they are (while still having respect for the animals size and ability to think and act on it's own accord) the better their skills will get.
Girls are proud of their accomplishments and the things they tried, they want to show and tell all the staff and other campers about the cool things they did that day at the barn - this builds character, and is also a measure of success.
Success can also be measured based on their pre and post camp evaluations - what did they improve while they were there? Are they more confident in their skills and ability to get the horse to do what they ask it to? Did they try something new or something that they were maybe a little too timid to try at the beginning of their session - did they finally get the front left hoof picked on the horse that's been giving them trouble?
I would have to say doing an overnight at a primitive camp site. It takes a lot of confidence for the girls to build the fire, cook, and even to get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. The girls build character by working together to set up the tents, gather the wood for the fire, cooking, and cleaning up after. Team work can open up even the shyest people because they feel that they are a part of something important. When I was able to see how proud the girls were for cooking their own meal, or even lighting a one match fire, it made me proud to know that I helped to teach them the skills and motivate them to feel confident enough in themselves to succeed at something that is so new. Success can be measured in their pre and post camp evaluations, and how they react after the experience.
ReplyDelete~Rain
Not sure if this is something that happens at CBH as this will be my first summer there, but when I went to Girl Scout Camp I think that village skit night builds all three. This was an activity usually done the night or two before camp ended and each village or unit was responsible for coming up with some sort of skit or song to perform in front of the whole camp during a talent show camp fire.
ReplyDeleteI think the main thing is that this helps build character by making the girls work with each other to plan their skit as the counselors are supposed to be very hands off in the planning process. It also builds courage because it takes a lot of courage to get up and be willing to perform or make a fool of yourself in front of the whole camp. However, this also builds a girl's confidence because camp is a supportive place and no matter how the skit goes, the whole camp ends up cheering and applauding for them letting them know that they are awesome for getting up there and being themselves.
We as staff will know if our goals were met by asking the girls how they thought it went and if they would do it again. If they say good and yes, then I would view that as a success. Also it is completely normal for girls to argue a bit when first starting to plan their skit but if the arguing subsides and the girls really start to work together and listen to each other then I would count that a success as well.
I think just coming to camp builds all of these things. It takes a lot of courage for that first time camper to get on a bus and travel for 4 hours to a strange place. Returning campers continue to become more confident when they can come back to camp and help a first time camper or be successful at an activity that they may tried the previous summer and could not do. And anyone who comes to camp, staff, volunteers, and campers build lots of character through all they participate in. Learning to live or work in a community setting builds lots of character for all. :0)
ReplyDeleteStaff will know when they have reached this goal with campers by communicating talking with the campers about their day/activities. They may also be able to see a change in how campers interact with one another, and sometimes it is just a special look in their eyes. Tigger :0)
I think a lot of low ropes activities can help with this. The ones where you are actually off the ground definitely help with confidence, since most girls are at least a little bit uncomfortable getting on low ropes elements. Once they realize that they are safe, it helps boost their confidence and courage. The activities that are more team building oriented promote character.
ReplyDeleteYou can tell when girls have more confidence just in their willingness to participate in everyday activities. Taking initiative to start a game in the field before dinner, trying a new idea at the Tamarack instead of doing the same thing as everyone else, and just in their overall attitude towards camp.