Counselor training topics for Mission trips

Counselor training. Make sure everyone is on the same page:

• Go over the official policy and style including how the policy plays out in real life (i.e. "no leaving the site with only 1 camper and 1 adult")
• 3rd day out Syndrome
• Explain that there will be both chaos & dead times on the work site. This is a given and we may not be able to “fix” these and other site related things. It is not our job to mess with the local organization or customs, our job is to the do the job assigned our group. Relaxing and going with the flow is healthier for all.
• Go over or negotiate the dorms, common room, sleep rules and practices.
• Go over the basic health practices and procedure. Who does what when there is an accident.  Where are the forms, releases, etc
• Gambling is sometimes a problem. Establishing a policy in advance is a good idea..
• For a group of any size, restaurant and food selection needs to be predetermined and rigid. Have the counselors know that they need to help the group accept this and not be a problem themselves.
• Make clear their responsibilities for supervising and controlling the youth and how “hand-offs” (when a youth is passed from one adult to another) are to work.