Unique Program Culture
& Individualized StrategiesLupine Reppert
Director of Education & Membership
American Camp Association, Southern California/Hawaii
(765) 349-3521 [email protected]
1. A supportive program climate, led by supportive relationships with staff promotes social inclusiveness, which in turn opens learning pathways for young people.
Research from the Camping Field
1Garst, Barry, Browne, Laurie and Bialeschki, M. Deborah (2011). Youth development and the camp experience. New Directions for Youth Development, 130. 74-75. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com).
This can lead to risk taking which facilitates skill building, competence and a sense of mattering1
2. Creating group cohesion is important because a natural tendency exists to favor certain individuals after they have been divided into groups. Strategies, including creative group names, group symbols and group language, foster a sense of community and has a positive influence on campers’ self-identity2.
Research from the Camping Field
2Rosenbaum, M.E. and Holtz, R. (1985). The minimal intergroup discrimination effect: Outgroup derogation, not ingroup favoritism. Paper presented at the 93rd Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Los Angeles; Bryk, A.S., & Driscoll, M.E. (1988). The school as community: Theoretical foundations, contextual influences, and consequences for students and teachers. Madison: University of Wisconsin.
3. Supportive relationships with peers and the presence of caring adults foster deep friendships and a sense of belonging and connectedness3.
Research from the Camping Field
3 Gillard, A., Watt, C.E., and Witt, P.A. (2009). Camp supports for motivation and interest. A mixed-methods study. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 27 (2). 74-96.
4. Traditions and rituals foster group cohesion and community building, strengthening the connection of campers and staff to the camp community through shared memories and storytelling4.
Research from the Camping Field
4Garst, Barry, Browne, Laurie and Bialeschki, M. Deborah (2011). Youth development and the camp experience. New Directions for Youth Development, 130. 78-79. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com).
5. Traditions and rituals may also provide youth with opportunities for meaningful involvement, supporting positive youth development5.
Research from the Camping Field
5Garst, Barry, Browne, Laurie and Bialeschki, M. Deborah. Youth development and the camp experience. New Directions for Youth Development, No. 130. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Periodicals, Inc., 2011. 79. Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com).
6. Norms or culture - rules of behavior, values and ways of doing things are part of high quality youth experiences that lead to positive youth development6.
Research from the Camping Field
6Smith, C., Devaney, T.J., Akiva, T., and Sugar, S.A. (2009). Quality and accountability in the out-of –school-time sector. In N. Yohalem, R. C. Granger, & K.J. Pittman (Eds.), New Directions for Youth Development, 121. Defining and measuring quality in youth programs and classrooms . 109-127. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass; Roth, J., & Brooks-Gunn, J. (2000). What do adolescents need for healthy development? Implications for youth policy. Social Policy Report, 14 (1) , 3-19.
Develop a supportive program climate that fosters relationship building between students and staff
Build group cohesion Cultivate communityCreate opportunities for meaningful engagement
Develop culture in an intentional way
Summary: Keys to Building
Unique Program Culture
Experiential Learning & Debriefing
“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” ~ Confucius*Diagram from Learn NC: www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/4967.
Experiential Learning & Debriefing
• Leader becomes facilitator• Participant focused, participant directed• Environment changes to more informal,
more close – i.e. circle, outside the classroom, etc…• Can use debriefing for any activity – works best with team building, learning activities or reflection (i.e. end of day)
Debriefing 101• Create a safe space• Set guidelines for how participants will
interact during the activity & debriefing• Facilitate, don’t lead. Listening is the
primary role of the facilitator• Focus on the process, not
the content – find the heat• Plan ahead, but be ready
to be flexible, based on the group
Modeling• Powerful tool to teach and change
culture• Train in the way that you want leaders
to lead• Look for
opportunities to “play” and model how you want staff to lead
• Model in the middle concept for staff
Components of Unique Program Culture
• Openings/closings• Traditions, rituals, recognition• Norms – whole camp ideals, rules for
behavior, ways of doing things, values and morals
• Group units/cohesion – group names, symbols, language, etc…
• All camp activities (field trips, culminating events, etc…)
Discuss:• What is the purpose of this component
of UPC? How does it support positive youth development principles?
• Identify 5 activities that support this component of UPC (be ready to share with your colleagues).
• What is the specific purpose of each activity?
• How do these activities relate/or how can they coordinate with other components of UPC?
Individualized Strategies“Program assesses young people’s needs and develops individualized strategies for meeting program goals.8”• Standardized methods to assess baseline
knowledge (pre-program)
8National Summer Learning Association: Comprehensive Assessment of Summer Programs Quick Reference Guide.
• Results inform lesson planning; staff are trained to support youth of different abilities
• Blend of large group, small group and individualized instruction
Individualized Strategies
• What’s working?• If you were to put
your “camp hat on”, how could you serve this need employing unique program culture?
Staff
Staff• Appeal to the head• Resume building - critical skills:
critical thinking, communication,time management & conflict resolution
• Identify growth opportunities• Appeal to the heart• Belonging begins with staff• All staff training • Meetings: staff focused,
staff directed• Gaining buy in• Staff appreciation
Looking at the Role of the TA Provider
How can you use the information you learned today to support as a TA provider to develop unique program culture?
Resource Bank
Website:
Thanks!
Lupine ReppertDirector of Education &
MembershipAmerican Camp Association,Southern California/Hawaii
(765) 349-3521 [email protected]
