Virginia 4H Camping Volunteer Training Modules

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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
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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.

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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.)

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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.

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Situation 1

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

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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)

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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 campers 4-H Health
  History Form.

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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 Centers 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.)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Situation 5

• Its 830 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Situation 8ISSUES AND SOLUTION

• Issues
• Possible homesickness. The campers 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 campers teen
  counselor to be aware of the possible
  homesickness and to check-in on the camper
  throughout the day.

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Situation 9

• Its 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.)

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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.

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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.

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Situation 12

• Walking down to your 4-H Centers campfire
  circle, you see a 4-H camper lying down on the
  ground who appears to be unconscious

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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.

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Situation 13

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

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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.

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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.

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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
  buildings 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 campers situation.

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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?

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References

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