Dr. Matt 

Dr. Matt’s “10 for 2 Training” is comprised of two parts: before and during camp operation. Pre-camp training is important to help create a healthy nurturing environment for not only your campers but for the staff as well. Follow-up training during camp is essential to maintain and boost healthy behaviors by deconstructing problems and finding effective solutions on a case by case situation.

 

Months before staff orientation, Dr. Matt meets with camp directors to customize a training program that best fits the needs of each individual camp he works with.

 

He then travels to camp the week of orientation where he conducts several distinct training sessions for the staff members.

 

Supervisory Staff:

Dr. Matt works with the supervisory staff to discuss:

• Effective communication with college aged counselors.

                - For many of this group it is either their first time working in the United States or working in a job that is as demanding as a camp counselor.

                - College aged workers often don’t appreciate the potential impact they can have on their campers. It is not the typical summer job scooping ice cream!

                - The regimented demands of camp are very different from the laissez-faire culture that college students are used to. The staff are now being told what to wear, when to eat, where to go. This is a major change from their independent school life.

                - Supervisory staff need to continuously look to transfer their energy and ‘campiness’ to the counselors throughout the summer to maintain a fun, relaxed and safe atmosphere so their campers can truly blossom.

 

General Staff:

Dr. Matt meets with the general staff to discuss:

• Who their campers are.

                - These sessions are targeted directly to the different age and gender groups the counselor will be working with. It is essential to understand the psychology of the campers, what their lives are like during the year and what transitions they need to make to experience a successful summer.

                - Based on their camper’s age, different developmental expectations are taught so counselors can effectively manage and help their campers flourish.

                - Dr. Matt gives an overview of the different challenges counselors might encounter working with children throughout the summer.

                - Dr. Matt facilitates a discussion regarding the different personality types campers might exhibit (i.e.: the homesick child, the bully, the follower, the wall-flower, the stubborn child, etc.) and how best to manage their behaviors.

                - Appropriate goal setting is discussed for both the counselors and their campers. Without proper goal setting, individuals risk either becoming burned-out or fall far short of their optimal experience.