A counselor with a child in the program

Try to find counselors who are not related to any of the youth.

• This is better for all concerned, but it is especially good for introducing youth to other role models. The more good role models the better (which is also an argument for not using the same people for more than one activity). 
• If you have to take a parent, get permission from their children first – make this a known policy. Everyone knows that I find it reasonable and not a comment about the child's relationship with the parent if they veto the possibility.  This is also a way of showing respect to the youth.
  
• Tell all counselors that while they are on duty they are “not related to any child or sibling that is also at the event: They are not to favor them; they are not to hold them to a higher or lower standard than any other youth; they are not to interfere in that youth's affairs; they are not to overrule another counselor or intervene in the youth's behalf.” They can be related to the youth on their own time, not while on duty.