Staff Training
End Of Program
Wrap-up
Page 4 of 5
Before you know it, the program's over for another
year. What will you do, what will you do? Have a
last day Leader Party! Here is some memorable fun
for your troops.
Goofy
Gifts
Based on how well your staff got to know each
other and how big your budget is, giving your
leaders a trinket based on their likes/dislikes or
personality can be fun. Keep them appropriate and
in good taste! And remember these don't have to
cost a lot of money - just some imagination.
Suggestions include a tape of a "kiddie" song that
got overplayed during the summer, either getting a
commercial tape or have the rest of the group sing
the song into a tape recorder; a make-your-own kit
for the s'more lover who had all the leftovers at
the campfire; a fly swatter for the leader with the
most mosquito bites; gift certificates for the
frugal Taco Bell fan who liked to get three food
items for a buck; a floppy hat or cheap sunglasses
for the "too cool" sun worshipers, etc. You get the
idea.
Candy For The
Boss
As a big candy fan, I got a really thoughtful
present from a staff member in the past. To tell
you how memorable it was, I've saved it for almost
ten years (sans the sweets, of course!) Adapt it
for staff. On a full size posterboard was written
the following with the appropriate candy glued on
for effect. On one of these, read the candy name
fast and you'll get it. Here goes:
Dear Rena, This summer has been a ROCKY ROAD but,
LOOK we made it through! Even in a (Nestle's)
CRUNCH when the kids thought we were from MARS we
worked like the two (3) MUSKETEERS. It sure wasn't
a REESE'S. The kids were (Fruit) RASCALS. They
thought we were NERDS and we even heard a few
SNICKERS. But, we worked together like a (Hershey)
SYMPHONY and it made it a (Hershey's Dark) SPECIAL
experience. This led to CAREFREE moments and GOOD
& PLENTY CHUCKLES that were real LIFESAVERS.
Thanks for a great summer! Love, Liz
Postscript: While I did share most of these snacks,
I will admit that I now try to give staff photos or
some non-caloric gift to others to be a bit kinder
to those who don't need the temptation!
Play the Newly Rec
Game
Have your partnered staff be teams. Just like
the game show, send one member of each team out of
the room and ask questions like: What was your
partner's favorite song (or kind of music) during
the summer? Which child would be most memorable for
your partner and why? If there was child crying,
what would your partner say or do for them? Have
the partners return and compare! This game has very
funny & sometimes surprising results! Award
little prizes.
Inspiration At Summer's
End
At the completion of the program, let the
people who worked so hard all summer know how
important they are to you (they didn't do it for
the big bucks, did they?) Or if you want to entice
them to return next time, send them a postcard or
the kit listed here during the December holidays or
in January during their post-holiday rush letdown
to serve as inspiration for them and remind them of
happy times (and a summer job just waiting for
them). You may think that you have no time to put
these together, just remember that is what you use
your office volunteers for. This project can be
completed over a period of weeks or months, if need
be.
After Camp Anti-Depression
Kit
Directions: For use when you are going through
Camp withdrawal after being in the "Real World" for
a few days (or maybe hours!) If condition persists,
sign up for another summer and you will be
cured!
Contains the following:
A PENNY for good luck in everything.
AN ERASER to help you make those changes when you
need to adapt something
A MARBLE in case someone says, "You've lost your
marbles."
A RUBBER BAND to stretch yourself beyond your
limits.
A STRING to tie things together when everything
falls apart.
A BALLOON to keep you always bursting with joy.
A KAZOO to keep your life alive with music.
RAINBOW SEEDS to plant when you are feeling blue or
need a friend.
A HUG and a KISS to remind you that someone,
somewhere, cares about you.
And the VISION of Camp to keep you inspired in
achieving your goals all year long.
Prescribed by: Dr. Funen Games & Nurse Happy
Ann Yunoitt
This is a great way to keep your staff motivated
after a busy summer. You can photocopy the above
"prescription" as is or adapt/add any items that
would be relevant to your program. Put one of each
of these items in a resealable sandwich/snack bag
and attach the form to the bag. Give one to each of
your program leaders.
Items (one each per bag): penny, eraser, marble,
rubber band, 6" piece of string, balloon, kazoo,
Rainbow seeds (either colored candy sprinkles or
mylar rainbow circles), a Hershey's Hug, a
Hershey's Kiss.
The "vision" is two rectangular pieces of the gift
wrap paper, placed back to back (see the visioning
quilt exercise for reference). If you would rather
try something else instead of a gift wrap vision,
it could be an inspiring photo of campers having
fun or a group leader photo.
Other options include: a button - in order to
button your mouth before saying an unkind word; a
lifesaver - because we're always willing to help
each other; a toothpick - to remind you to be
easygoing and not too picky; a mint - because
you're worth a mint! Think up some on your own!
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