4-H Camp Counseling A Leadership Building Experience

The Research Study Conducted by the Wisconsin Youth in Public Leadership Issue Team All Wisconsin counties were invited to participate Conducted in the summer of 2003, compiled and analyzed fall and winter

Summer 4-H Camping Programs in Wisconsin 63 counties reported doing residential summer camps Those programs utilized more than 700 counselors Served nearly 3,000 campers Provided approximately 150 days of residential camping experience 61 agents reported well over 400 hours invested in counselor training time statewide

Research Question: “ What do camp counselors learn from their counseling experience?”

Participation 44 counties (62%) 274 completed surveys were returned from a possible 390 counselors in participating counties (Return rate = 70%) 1,899 campers were served by these counselors in 2003

Skills Gained from the Counseling Experience Leadership People skills/working with youth Communication Patience/tolerance Responsibility Teamwork Problem Solving Planning & Organizing

Counselors said… “As a result of being a counselor, I have been able to gain valuable leadership skills that will help me in the future.” “Each year I think I gain even more people skills with a variety of ages and I know that is something that will help me throughout my lifetime.”

Another counselor stated… “Camp counseling has given me the chance to be in charge of a large group and lead them in activities. It has taught me to deal with problems quickly and effectively. If an activity falls through, I have learned to come up with an alternative while still being positive.”

Leadership Skills Gained: Planning and organizing - Preparing for camp, back-up plan, scheduling Communication - Dealing with camper issues, relating to group Teamwork - Helping each other, accomplish more together

Counselors stated they will use the leadership skills they gained at camp in their local community: Working with children Taking charge in leadership roles Communicating/ listening Planning and organizing Teamwork/working together on a goal

Counselor Skills They Will Use in Future Careers: * Communication * Teamwork * Leadership * Planning and organizing * Knowledge of how to work effectively with kids “Working with campers really gives me an idea and the leadership experience I would need to be a teacher.”

When asked what was unique about being a 4-H camp counselor, the top three responses were: Understanding and working with children Responsibility Role modeling One counselor stated, “I never had to be the leader of a group for three days and two nights. The kids always looked up to me for direction and support. It taught me more responsibility than I ever had before.”

Training… Training helps prepare counselors for their role and actively involves them in planning experiences for campers. Includes topics such as: * understanding campers’ needs and development * emotional and physical safety, first aid, handling risks * dealing with difficult or problem situations * conflict resolution * teamwork * teaching/leading skills * role modeling

Results and Implications of the Study: Counselors reported significant life skill development as a result of their counseling experience. Counselors indicated that these skills will be used in future community involvement, as well as in careers. The large amount of responsibility placed on counselors warrants significant expenditures of programming time and resources for training and preparation for the role.

In Conclusion… Counselors serve important volunteer leadership roles in the 4-H summer camping program. Campers benefit from their leadership. Counselors gain helpful leadership skills from their training and experience.

In addition… Besides describing in detail, and through examples, how camp counseling was a learning experience, 4-H teens also described camp as “Awesome!” “Exciting!” and “Fun!”

So, 4-H summer camp counseling is not only educational, it is also motivating, leading to success and positive youth development!

This presentation was developed by the Research Committee of the Wisconsin Youth in Public Leadership Issues Team June, 2004 Research Committee members: Katy Forsythe Linda Kustka Robert Matysik Karen Nelson