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Virginia 4-H Camping Volunteer Training Modules

Virginia 4-H Camping Volunteer Training Modules. MODULE 15: PROBLEM-SOLVING 4-H CAMP SITUATIONS. Developed by Barry A. Garst, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist 4-H Youth Development, March 2006. How to Use this Information. If you are a 4-H adult volunteer leader :

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Virginia 4-H Camping Volunteer Training Modules

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  1. Virginia 4-H CampingVolunteer Training Modules MODULE 15: PROBLEM-SOLVING 4-H CAMP SITUATIONS Developed by Barry A. Garst, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist 4-H Youth Development, March 2006

  2. How to Use this Information • If you are a 4-H adult volunteer leader: • 1. Review the 4-H camp-related information contained in this presentation. • 2. Consider the “Discussion Questions” listed on the last page. • 3. Contact your local 4-H Extension Agent (or other person responsible for 4-H camping in your county/city) to review this information. • If you are a VCE faculty or staff member responsible for 4-H camping in your unit: • 1. Review the 4-H camp-related information contained in this presentation. • 2. Use this presentation to support your 4-H camp teen/adult volunteer leader training. • 3. Use the “Discussion Questions” listed on the last page as a resource in reviewing this information with your 4-H camp volunteers.

  3. Instructions for This Module • In this module you will be presented with several 4-H camp situations. Your task is: • Read each situation carefully. • Identify the problem and the relevant policies, issues, etc. based upon what you have learned in Modules 1-14. • Identify a possible solution to the problem. (NOTE: Many of the situations have more than one correct answer. You do not have to think of them all, just identify one approach that you think would work.)

  4. Instructions for This Module • The “issues” and “possible solution” are presented after each situation. • Please do not read ahead! • Think carefully about each situation. Identify the issues, and your own solution before looking at the “possible solution.”

  5. Situation 1 • You overhear a 4-H Camp Counselor-in-Training yelling an obscenity at the campers in a cabin/lodge.

  6. Situation 1ISSUES AND SOLUTION • Issues: • This behavior violates the 4-H Code-of-Conduct, is inappropriate, and does not create a 4-H camp atmosphere that promotes positive youth development. • Possible Solution: • Counsel the CIT. Ask him/her to apologize to the campers. Monitor the CIT closely during his/her interactions with campers. Inform the 4-H Extension Agent (or other person serving as “camp director”)

  7. Situation 2 • It is the first day of 4-H camp and the buses just arrived. While getting off of the bus, a camper slips and twists his ankle. No one seems to be able to find the camper’s 4-H Health History Form.

  8. Situation 2ISSUES AND SOLUTION • Issues: • Finding the health form is critical. One copy should be carried on the bus and should be easily accessible. The 4-H Center’s medical staff needs to ensure that it has parents’ permission to treat, and to be aware of any allergies or other medical-related information. • Possible Solution: • Keep the camper calm and send someone to get the 4-H Center medical staff. Find the Health Form. (Plan ahead and ensure that a health form is on the bus.)

  9. Situation 3 • In the middle of afternoon swimming and recreation time, you notice that the sky is getting darker. A thunderstorm appears to be approaching quickly.

  10. Situation 3ISSUES AND SOLUTION • Issues: • Severe weather • Possible Solution: • Wait for instructions from the 4-H Center Program Director or your 4-H Agent regarding severe weather procedures. • Be prepared to move the campers under your supervision to a safe location. If you perceive an immediate threat to your campers, go ahead and move them to a safe location.

  11. Situation 4 • An adult leader leaves the 4-H Center to go to a local convenience store to get some snacks. No one knows that the adult left the 4-H Center.

  12. Situation 4ISSUES AND SOLUTION • Issues: • No one can leave camp without notifying the 4-H Center Program Director and/or the appropriate 4-H Agent (see 4-H Code of Conduct). With regards to anyone in a supervisory role, it is even more important to know when they leave the property because appropriate supervision ratios need to be maintained. • Possible Solution: • Contact your Agent before leaving the 4-H Center property.

  13. Situation 5 • It’s 8:30 AM and campers are finishing breakfast and getting ready for classes. A camper comes to you and says that some of the campers in his/her room were fist fighting the night before.

  14. Situation 5ISSUES AND SOLUTION • Issues: • Fighting is a violation of 4-H Code of Conduct. Possible negligence (or other criminal charges) may result if volunteers were not appropriately supervising youth campers. • Possible Solution: • Inform your 4-H Agent and the 4-H Center Program Director immediately. Be prepared to assist with camper discussions to learn more about what may have occurred the night before.

  15. Situation 6 • During an evening dance program, a camper runs into the bathhouse/bathroom and locks himself/herself into the room. You can hear the camper crying.

  16. Situation 6ISSUES AND SOLUTION • Issues: • The upset camper is in an unsafe situation (in a locked room, you have no way to know what an upset person might do). • Possible Solution: • Send someone to get your 4-H Agent and the 4-H Center Program Director. Talk to the camper through the door and try to calm him/her down, establish rapport, etc. Be prepared to continue to provide support and assistance as directed. Your goal is to get the camper out of the locked room as soon as possible and then to continue to problem solve with the camper.

  17. Situation 7 • The father of one of the campers in your cabin/lodge shows up to 4-H camp right before dinner. He wants to know where his child is so that he can take his child to a softball game. He is really in a hurry and does not have time to check into the office.

  18. Situation 7ISSUES AND SOLUTION • Issues: • Camper release issue. • Possible Solution: • The father must sign a “Camper Release Form” and the 4-H Agent and 4-H Center Program Director need to ensure that the father has been identified as the appropriate person to pick up the camper by looking on the “4-H Health History Report Form.”

  19. Situation 8 • It is Wednesday morning at 4-H camp. You notice a camper sitting alone at dinner. In fact, you realize that this camper has been sitting alone at a lot of meals and camp activities.

  20. Situation 8ISSUES AND SOLUTION • Issues: • Possible homesickness. The camper’s need for “belongingness” and membership are not being met. • Possible Solution: • Sit down with the camper and talk to him/her. Introduce the camper to other campers. Consider a “buddy” for the camper. Ask the camper’s teen counselor to be aware of the possible homesickness and to check-in on the camper throughout the day.

  21. Situation 9 • It’s raining hard today and all of the campers are in their cabins/lodges reading, playing games, and resting. You overhear a teen counselor telling campers about her parents’ recent divorce and about how upset she is.

  22. Situation 9ISSUES AND SOLUTION • Issues: • “Divorce” is not an appropriate topic in a 4-H camp setting. It is a “sensitive issue” and should be treated as such according to the 4-H camp sensitive issues guidelines • Possible Solution: • Take the counselor away from the campers (yet not in a one-on-one situation). Engage the campers in a different discussion or activity. • In a calm, supportive way, remind the teen that she should refrain from talking about divorce around campers. If she is upset, offer her your support and guidance. Inform your 4-H Agent of the situation.

  23. Situation 10 • During morning classes at the canoeing area, you notice a child that has a significant number of bruises on his upper and lower legs.

  24. Situation 10ISSUES AND SOLUTION • Issues: • Bruises of this nature are an indicator of child abuse. • Possible Solution: • With another adult present, take the camper away from the other campers and ask him/her about the bruises. Inform your 4-H Agent and the 4-H Center Program Director. Be prepared to continue to provide support and assistance as directed. (Note: After talking with the camper, the Agent and Program Director will determine if there is a “suspicion” of child abuse and will contact the Department of Social Services if there is a “suspicion.”)

  25. Situation 11 • An adult volunteer has been having trouble with a particular camper all week. The camper is not listening, is being disrespectful, and is really frustrating the adult. Finally, to get the camper out of the cabin/lodge in order to go to a camp activity, the adult volunteer grabs the camper by the arm and walks him out the door.

  26. Situation 11ISSUES AND SOLUTION • Issues: • This is a violation of the 4-H camping guidelines for managing youth behavior. In behavior-related situations, volunteers and staff cannot touch 4-H camp participants except to keep them from harming themselves or others. • Possible Solution: • Avoid this situation by always being “in control” of your frustrations when working with youth campers. Step away from the situation. Ask for help from other volunteers and staff.

  27. Situation 12 • Walking down to your 4-H Center’s campfire circle, you see a 4-H camper lying down on the ground who appears to be unconscious

  28. Situation 12ISSUES AND SOLUTION • Issues: • Possible medical emergency • Possible Solution: • Immediately go to the camper and say in a loud voice, “Are you okay?,” and “Do you need help?” Send someone to get the 4-H Center medical staff. If the camper is not breathing, and you are certified in CPR, provide medical treatment within your level of training. Keep other campers away from the unconscious camper. Be prepared to continue to provide support and assistance as directed.

  29. Situation 13 • It is the last night of camp. During dinner you overhear some teen counselors and Counselors-in-Training talking about waking up 2:00 in order to cover the flag-pole area with shaving cream and toilet paper.

  30. Situation 13ISSUES AND SOLUTION • Issues: • Behavior of this kind (pranks, etc.) are not appropriate at 4-H camp and violate the 4-H Code-of-Conduct. This behavior reduces camper supervision in cabins/lodges and often results in damage to 4-H Center property. • Possible Solution: • Confront the teen counselors and remind them of their responsibility to supervise youth at all times after lights out. Inform your 4-H Agent and the 4-H Center Program Director.

  31. Situation 14 • While helping with morning cabin/lodge checks, you notice a slight smell of smoke and see ashes on the ground near a sink.

  32. Situation 14ISSUES AND SOLUTION • Issues: • Possible smoking / drug use • Smoking is not allowed in any 4-H Center building even by individuals who are of appropriate age. Drugs are never allowed. (Note: This problem could also be related to a problem with the building’s heating and air conditioning system.) • Possible Solution: • Inform your 4-H Agent and the 4-H Center Program Director immediately. Smoke and ashes may be considered a “reasonable suspicion” to conduct a search for cigarettes or related items that are not appropriate at 4-H camp.

  33. Situation 15 • Two days of camp have gone by. It has been a really great week. On the third day after breakfast two female teen counselors approach you and say that a summer 4-H camp staff member fondled them in the pool during free swim-time the day before. They are getting very upset and want to leave camp immediately.

  34. Situation 15ISSUES AND SOLUTION • Issues: • Possible sexual assault. • Possible Solution: • Keep the teens calm and move them to a location (the camp office, for example) where they can feel safe. Contact your 4-H Agent and the 4-H Center Program Director immediately. Be prepared to continue to provide support and assistance as directed.

  35. Situation 16 • It is the first night of camp and the 4-H Center summer camp staff and teen counselors are leading get-acquainted activities. A camper who has been crying walks up to you and says that he wants to go home. He really misses his mom.

  36. Situation 16ISSUES AND SOLUTION • Issues: • Possible homesickness. • Possibly another issue that the camper cannot talk about and simply wants to go home to avoid the issue (e.g., “bullying”) • Possible Solution: • With another teen or adult present, talk with the camper about how camp is going. Focus on specifics- What is going well?/What does he/she enjoy? and What is not going well? Get the camper involved. If there is an underlying issue like bullying, be sure to address the problem. Pair the camper with a teen counselor who can spend more time with him/her. Inform your 4-H Agent of the camper’s situation.

  37. Discussion Questions • Which of these situations have you experienced in camp or in another setting (school, church, community, etc.)? • Which of these situations were new to you? • Name one thing that you learned from the Module that you did not already know. • Do you have questions regarding other “possible” 4-H camp situations? If so, what are they?

  38. References • Garst, B.A. (2005). Virginia 4-H Camping Handbook. Virginia Cooperative Extension. Publication 388-562.

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