Virginia 4-H Camping Volunteer Training Modules

Virginia 4-H CampingVirginia 4-H CampingVolunteer Training ModulesVolunteer Training Modules

MODULE 15: MODULE 15: PROBLEM-SOLVING 4-HPROBLEM-SOLVING 4-H

CAMP SITUATIONSCAMP SITUATIONSDeveloped by Barry A. Garst, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist

4-H Youth Development, March 2006

If you are a If you are a 4-H adult volunteer leader4-H adult volunteer leader:: 1. Review the 4-H camp-related information contained in this presentation.1. Review the 4-H camp-related information contained in this presentation. 2. Consider the “2. Consider the “Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions” listed on the last page.” listed on the last page. 3. Contact your local 4-H Extension Agent (or other person responsible for 3. Contact your local 4-H Extension Agent (or other person responsible for 4-H camping in your county/city) to review this information.4-H camping in your county/city) to review this information.

If you are a If you are a VCE faculty or staff member responsible for 4-H camping in VCE faculty or staff member responsible for 4-H camping in your unityour unit::

1. Review the 4-H camp-related information contained in this presentation.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 2. Use this presentation to support your 4-H camp teen/adult volunteer

leader training.leader training. 3. Use the “3. Use the “Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions” listed on the last page as a resource in ” listed on the last page as a resource in

reviewing this information with your 4-H camp volunteers.reviewing this information with your 4-H camp volunteers.

How to Use this InformationHow to Use this Information

In this module you will be presented with several 4-H In this module you will be presented with several 4-H camp situations. Your task is:camp situations. Your task is:

Read each situation carefully.Read each situation carefully.Identify the problem and the relevant policies, issues, etc. based Identify the problem and the relevant policies, issues, etc. based upon what you have learned in Modules 1-14.upon what you have learned in Modules 1-14.Identify a possible solution to the problem. Identify a possible solution to the problem. (NOTE: Many of the (NOTE: Many of the situations have more than one correct answer. You do not have situations have more than one correct answer. You do not have to think of them all, just identify one approach that you think to think of them all, just identify one approach that you think would work.)would work.)

Instructions for This ModuleInstructions for This Module

The “issues” and “possible solution” are presented after The “issues” and “possible solution” are presented after each situation. each situation.

Please do not read ahead!Please do not read ahead!

Think carefully about each situation. Identify the issues, Think carefully about each situation. Identify the issues, and your own solution before looking at the “possible and your own solution before looking at the “possible solution.”solution.”

Instructions for This ModuleInstructions for This Module

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

Situation 1Situation 1

Issues: Issues: This behavior violates the 4-H Code-of-Conduct, is inappropriate, This behavior violates the 4-H Code-of-Conduct, is inappropriate, and does not create a 4-H camp atmosphere that promotes and does not create a 4-H camp atmosphere that promotes positive youth development.positive youth development.

Possible Solution:Possible Solution:Counsel the CIT. Ask him/her to apologize to the campers. Counsel the CIT. Ask him/her to apologize to the campers. Monitor the CIT closely during his/her interactions with campers. Monitor the CIT closely during his/her interactions with campers. Inform the 4-H Extension Agent (or other person serving as Inform the 4-H Extension Agent (or other person serving as “camp director”)“camp director”)

Situation 1Situation 1ISSUES AND SOLUTIONISSUES AND SOLUTION

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


Issues: Issues: Finding the health form is critical. One copy should be carried on Finding the health form is critical. One copy should be carried on the bus and should be easily accessible. The 4-H Center’s the bus and should be easily accessible. The 4-H Center’s medical staff needs to ensure that it has parents’ permission to medical staff needs to ensure that it has parents’ permission to treat, and to be aware of any allergies or other medical-related treat, and to be aware of any allergies or other medical-related information. information.

Possible Solution:Possible Solution:Keep the camper calm and send someone to get the 4-H Center Keep the camper calm and send someone to get the 4-H Center medical staff. Find the Health Form. (Plan ahead and ensure medical staff. Find the Health Form. (Plan ahead and ensure that a health form is on the bus.) that a health form is on the bus.)


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


Issues: Issues: Severe weather Severe weather

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


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


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

Possible Solution:Possible Solution:Contact your Agent before leaving the 4-H Center property.Contact your Agent before leaving the 4-H Center property.


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


Issues: Issues: Fighting is a violation of 4-H Code of Conduct. Possible Fighting is a violation of 4-H Code of Conduct. Possible negligence (or other criminal charges) may result if volunteers negligence (or other criminal charges) may result if volunteers were not appropriately supervising youth campers.were not appropriately supervising youth campers.

Possible Solution:Possible Solution:Inform your 4-H Agent and the 4-H Center Program Director Inform your 4-H Agent and the 4-H Center Program Director immediately. Be prepared to assist with camper discussions to immediately. Be prepared to assist with camper discussions to learn more about what may have occurred the night before.learn more about what may have occurred the night before.


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


Issues: Issues: The upset camper is in an unsafe situation (in a locked room, you The upset camper is in an unsafe situation (in a locked room, you have no way to know what an upset person might do). have no way to know what an upset person might do).

Possible Solution:Possible Solution:Send someone to get your 4-H Agent and the 4-H Center Send someone to get your 4-H Agent and the 4-H Center Program Director. Talk to the camper through the door and try Program Director. Talk to the camper through the door and try to calm him/her down, establish rapport, etc. Be prepared to to calm him/her down, establish rapport, etc. Be prepared to continue to provide support and assistance as directed. Your continue to provide support and assistance as directed. Your goal is to get the camper out of the locked room as soon as 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.possible and then to continue to problem solve with the camper.


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


Issues: Issues: Camper release issue.Camper release issue.

Possible Solution:Possible Solution:The father must sign a The father must sign a “Camper Release Form”“Camper Release Form” and the 4-H and the 4-H Agent and 4-H Center Program Director need to ensure that the Agent and 4-H Center Program Director need to ensure that the father has been identified as the appropriate person to pick up father has been identified as the appropriate person to pick up the camper by looking on the “the camper by looking on the “4-H Health History Report Form4-H Health History Report Form.”.”


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


Issues: Issues: Possible homesickness. The camper’s need for “belongingness” Possible homesickness. The camper’s need for “belongingness” and membership are not being met. and membership are not being met.

Possible Solution:Possible Solution:Sit down with the camper and talk to him/her. Introduce the Sit down with the camper and talk to him/her. Introduce the camper to other campers. Consider a “buddy” for the camper. camper to other campers. Consider a “buddy” for the camper. Ask the camper’s teen counselor to be aware of the possible Ask the camper’s teen counselor to be aware of the possible homesickness and to check-in on the camper throughout the homesickness and to check-in on the camper throughout the day.day.


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


Issues: Issues: ““Divorce” is not an appropriate topic in a 4-H camp setting. It is a 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 “sensitive issue” and should be treated as such according to the 4-H camp sensitive issues guidelines 4-H camp sensitive issues guidelines

Possible Solution:Possible Solution:Take the counselor away from the campers (yet not in a one-on-Take the counselor away from the campers (yet not in a one-on-one situation). Engage the campers in a different discussion or one situation). Engage the campers in a different discussion or activity.activity.In a calm, supportive way, remind the teen that she should In a calm, supportive way, remind the teen that she should refrain from talking about divorce around campers. If she is refrain from talking about divorce around campers. If she is upset, offer her your support and guidance. Inform your 4-H upset, offer her your support and guidance. Inform your 4-H Agent of the situation. Agent of the situation.


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


Issues: Issues: Bruises of this nature are an indicator of child abuse. Bruises of this nature are an indicator of child abuse.

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


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


Issues: Issues: This is a violation of the 4-H camping guidelines for managing This is a violation of the 4-H camping guidelines for managing youth behavior. In behavior-related situations, volunteers and youth behavior. In behavior-related situations, volunteers and staff cannot touch 4-H camp participants except to keep them staff cannot touch 4-H camp participants except to keep them from harming themselves or others.from harming themselves or others.

Possible Solution:Possible Solution:Avoid this situation by always being “in control” of your Avoid this situation by always being “in control” of your frustrations when working with youth campers. Step away from frustrations when working with youth campers. Step away from the situation. Ask for help from other volunteers and staff.the situation. Ask for help from other volunteers and staff.


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


Issues: Issues: Possible medical emergencyPossible medical emergency

Possible Solution:Possible Solution:Immediately go to the camper and say in a loud voice, “Are you 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 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 Center medical staff. If the camper is not breathing, and you are certified in CPR, provide medical treatment within your level of certified in CPR, provide medical treatment within your level of training. Keep other campers away from the unconscious training. Keep other campers away from the unconscious camper. Be prepared to continue to provide support and camper. Be prepared to continue to provide support and assistance as directed.assistance as directed.


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


Issues: Issues: Behavior of this kind (pranks, etc.) are not appropriate at 4-H Behavior of this kind (pranks, etc.) are not appropriate at 4-H camp and violate the 4-H Code-of-Conduct. This behavior camp and violate the 4-H Code-of-Conduct. This behavior reduces camper supervision in cabins/lodges and often results reduces camper supervision in cabins/lodges and often results in damage to 4-H Center property. in damage to 4-H Center property.

Possible Solution:Possible Solution:Confront the teen counselors and remind them of their Confront the teen counselors and remind them of their responsibility to supervise youth at all times after lights out. responsibility to supervise youth at all times after lights out. Inform your 4-H Agent and the 4-H Center Program Director. Inform your 4-H Agent and the 4-H Center Program Director.


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


Issues: Issues: Possible smoking / drug usePossible smoking / drug useSmoking is not allowed in any 4-H Center building even by Smoking is not allowed in any 4-H Center building even by individuals who are of appropriate age. Drugs are never allowed. individuals who are of appropriate age. Drugs are never allowed. (Note: This problem could also be related to a problem with the (Note: This problem could also be related to a problem with the building’s heating and air conditioning system.)building’s heating and air conditioning system.)

Possible Solution:Possible Solution:Inform your 4-H Agent and the 4-H Center Program Director Inform your 4-H Agent and the 4-H Center Program Director immediately. Smoke and ashes may be considered a immediately. Smoke and ashes may be considered a “reasonable suspicion” to conduct a search for cigarettes or “reasonable suspicion” to conduct a search for cigarettes or related items that are not appropriate at 4-H camp. related items that are not appropriate at 4-H camp.


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


Issues: Issues: Possible sexual assault.Possible sexual assault.

Possible Solution:Possible Solution:

Keep the teens calm and move them to a location (the camp Keep the teens calm and move them to a location (the camp office, for example) where they can feel safe. Contact your office, for example) where they can feel safe. Contact your 4-H Agent and the 4-H Center Program Director immediately. 4-H Agent and the 4-H Center Program Director immediately. Be prepared to continue to provide support and assistance as Be prepared to continue to provide support and assistance as directed.directed.


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


Issues: Issues: Possible homesickness. Possible homesickness. Possibly another issue that the camper cannot talk about and Possibly another issue that the camper cannot talk about and simply wants to go home to avoid the issue (e.g., “bullying”)simply wants to go home to avoid the issue (e.g., “bullying”)

Possible Solution:Possible Solution:With another teen or adult present, talk with the camper about With another teen or adult present, talk with the camper about how camp is going. Focus on specifics- What is going how camp is going. Focus on specifics- What is going well?/What does he/she enjoy? and What is not going well? Get well?/What does he/she enjoy? and What is not going well? Get the camper involved. If there is an underlying issue like bullying, the camper involved. If there is an underlying issue like bullying, be sure to address the problem. Pair the camper with a teen be sure to address the problem. Pair the camper with a teen counselor who can spend more time with him/her. Inform your 4-counselor who can spend more time with him/her. Inform your 4-H Agent of the camper’s situation.H Agent of the camper’s situation.


Which of these situations have you experienced in camp or in Which of these situations have you experienced in camp or in another setting (school, church, community, etc.)?another setting (school, church, community, etc.)?

Which of these situations were new to you?Which of these situations were new to you?

Name one thing that you learned from the Module that you Name one thing that you learned from the Module that you did not already know.did not already know.

Do you have questions regarding other “possible” 4-H camp Do you have questions regarding other “possible” 4-H camp situations? If so, what are they?situations? If so, what are they?

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions

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

ReferencesReferences

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Virginia 4-H Camping Volunteer Training Modules

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