Head Staff Training Begins!

Our leadership team arrived last Thursday and what an incredible week we’ve had. When we assembled in the pavilion for the first time, the group was full of energy as camp-friends were reunited and new staff were introduced. We opened training with ice breakers and introductions, playing games and getting silly. Aaron and Rachael will lead several games over the course of training in an effort to “arm” our supervisors with a toolbox of games they can play with their staff when they arrive. The remainder of the evening was spent as a team establishing expectations for themselves, for their staff, and for camp, focusing heavily on safety and campers’ experience. And per camp tradition, the night was closed with a Sikum, time spent reflecting on the day.

On Friday, Alex Manalych, our Jewish Program Director, led us in a Judaic discussion focusing on Middot (values). Each of us was asked to recall a personal experience from our time at camp and identify the middot at play in that experience; Was there honesty, respect, courage, or so on represented in our story, and if so, how do we use these experiences to impart such Jewish values on our campers and staff? We discussed how values are interconnected and what Middot would best suit different age groups with the goal making these the values we teach for the summer.

On Tuesday we spent much of the day learning the safety “ins and outs” of camp.  Many of us received CPR/AED and First Aid certified for adults and infants of course. We also spent time engaging in a meaningful session about what it means to create culture.  Our supervisors spent time in their teams talking about the culture they want to create Then we started to dig into some scenarios that often come up at camp.  How do we handle the “tough stuff” and what are the appropriate kinds of conversations to have with our staff. It was incredible to see so many head staff being vulnerable and sharing their own personal successes and struggles in previous summers at campand being open to learning and improving their skills.

On Wednesday, we welcomed True to Life Training.  The trainers led us through a 5-hour workshop coaching and training us on effective communication skills, giving feedback, counseling, coaching, and how to have appropriate, yet challenging, difficult conversations with staff.  The trio of trainers engaged in role playing with members of our head staff team .We learned the skills to build relationships with staff and campers alike through effective and direct communication.  After such an intense day of training, it was great to go out to dinner in Morgantown as a team to unwind and enjoy each other’s company.

Our international staff arrived yesterday and were are SO excited to begin welcoming other members of our team.  Only 10 more days until the campers arrive and we can’t wait!