May 18th | 2023 Communication at Camp
Communication At Camp
Communication at camp is crucial. Daily schedules, changes to class locations, and rainy day adjustments are just a few of the challenges that require us to be able to share information succinctly and effectively. To effectively communicate requires us to use several methods that at times are redundant, but together help us ensure everyone is looped in at the right time.
- 📌 Posted Schedules - As campers cannot access devices, the daily schedule is posted each morning at the Office, Theater, Pav, and Rehearsal Studios. Changes to this schedule will be updated after lunch and announced at mealtimes.
- 📱 Slack App - The Slack App allows us to share announcements with the entire staff or smaller groups (Counselors, Production, Leadership). In addition the Daily Call will be posted in the #dailycall channel, and changes to the locations, schedules, and other "in the moment" information will be announced in the #fullstaff channel. We will have a training session at camp to cover other important ways the app will help us at camp.
- 👥 Face-To-Face - Nothing beats the sharing of information face-to-face. It allows for clarifications, questions, and input from the team. Daily meetings for Non-Cabin & Cabin staff, along with leadership's availability to share information throughout camp "on foot," ensures even those who are in the middle of class or simply "unplugged" are kept up to date on changes as well.
*Take a moment now to download the Slack app and then head over to the Ghostlight Pre-Camp Training to complete your onboarding. This can be a great place to begin to get connected and say hello!
Quick Tips for Working with Neurodivergent Campers
The following tips were adapted from a training session on working with neurodivergent campers. Ultimately, these tips are helpful in working with all campers.
- ❓Be careful about "stacking" multiple questions. Stick with one question at a time.
- 🎧 Meet your campers where they are at. Think about how you might change an environment rather than changing a camper. (Ex: Instead of asking one camper to sit with their cabin in a specific row near a fire? Perhaps the cabin can sit in a different row, or a camper can wear headphones to help with the noise of a large group.)
- ℹ️ Front-load information. Take campers on a tour and explain what will happen where, and how camp will operate.
- ✋🏽 "Thank you, Five!" Give campers reminders of how much time is left so abrupt endings aren't jarring. (Also, everything will take 5 minutes longer than you think.)
- 😖 Meltdowns may happen.
- If YOU are overwhelmed, tap out and ask for help.
- Use hydraulics to be on the camper's level.
- Get them to a safe space where they can process and self-regulate.
- Don't jump in too soon and try to regulate for the camper.*
*We will talk more about approaching meltdowns and heightened situations as part of staff training!
Forms Reminder
Have you completed your forms yet? Some things, like Mandated Reporter Training and All Eyes on You, require additional modules outside of Campsite. Also, we want to know your T-Shirt size for our summer tees!
Did you miss last week's email? Just joining the Weekly Call? Check out the Staff Updates page to catch up anytime!
Bookmark: http://www.ghostlighttheatercamp.com/staff-updates