Club programs put "wow" in the camp day - camp activity

Camping Magazine, May-June, 1999 by Bob Ednick

The question campers at Coleman Country Day Camp ask most frequently is "ls it club time yet?"

Club time is an elective program period that takes place each day. Campers select an activity from an extensive list of activities, including regularly programmed activities such as arts and crafts, soccer, and volleyball and specialty activities such as calligraphy, sign language, water polo, and synchronized swimming. Campers participate in their chosen club activity for a two-week period with other campers from different groups and age ranges.

Making Fun Choices

Club time allows campers to make choices, and kids love to choose. It also permits campers to spend time at an activity they enjoy. Both campers and staff are able to get involved in an activity, because unlike shorter, once or twice a week activities, club time enables campers to do long-term projects, play a full game, compete with campers from other groups, or get extra time in an activity they'd like to improve in or learn.

Since campers get time in activities not offered during your regular program, club time broadens your overall activity offerings. Club activities also allow you flexibility in your programming, especially with older campers. Do your oldest campers want each activity you offer? Do your older boys want music? Some do. Do your older girls want softball? Some do. Some don't. You don't have to schedule these activities at all or as often on your regular program because campers can select this activity as a club time activity.

Staff Become Shining Stars

Activities are led by a club leader who has specialized skills in the activity area. All activity specialists lead an activity, but in some cases a counselor may lead a club group. In all cases, the leader is a skilled person who has planned the activity, ordered supplies, and demonstrated leadership ability. To find staff members' hidden talents, review their applications and resumes.

Club program activities must be long term since campers will be taking part in the activity each day for forty-five minutes. It must be exciting and different since campers have chosen that particular activity above and beyond the other fifty or sixty choices offered each cycle.

Club leaders must determine the number of campers a club can handle and if that club can accommodate a broad range of ages. For example, an art club may offer a painting program where older campers are doing still life in oil and younger club members are doing still life in watercolor. A water polo club may be available to only deep-water swimmers, but a synchronized swim club may be open to all ages and swim levels. In a situation where a highly specialized club has only one leader, for example, violin club, you can offer the club to younger campers in the first club rotation and to older campers in the next two-week cycle.

Club Time Start-up

Decide on a time slot for each club, preferably during the same time each day. Also, decide on where each club will meet. Now it's time to get campers signed up.

Getting acquainted

During the first day of camp, use the club period just for counselors to get acquainted with campers.

On the second day, counselors should explain the concept of clubs and read campers a list of clubs to be offered. Also, explain that this is not a group choice, but an individual choice. Tell campers that they may not get their first choice, so they should think about alternatives. Also let them know that they will get a first choice in later rotations if not on the first round.

On the third day, have club leaders make presentations. Subdivide campers so assemblies are small and allow for questions and answers.

Sign-up day

The fourth club day is sign-up day! Club leaders gather in a large tent or building. Each should have a sign and a large envelope bearing the name of their club. Give each camper a card with his name and group on it. Campers enter the tent and deposit their card in the envelope of their club of choice. Call groups in a different order for each sign-up rotation to ensure everyone gets a first choice at some point during the summer.

Envelopes are then collected and sent to the office to be recorded. Lists are generated by club and group so counselors and the office can easily access campers during the club period. These lists are adjusted for absent campers and any changes.

It's Finally Club Time

The next day is the first regular day of club time. Assemble club leaders on a large field and have them stand in line alphabetically while displaying their club signs. As campers enter the field, they go to their appropriate club. All non-club leaders assist in getting campers located.

When campers are situated, club leaders take attendance and move out with their club members. Follow this organization for the first and second day of each club cycle to familiarize campers with their club locations. Afterward, campers can go directly to their club location when the announcement is made.

The benefits of club time for campers and staff far out shine the time spent planning, programming, and signing up. It's all worth it when you hear campers enthusiastically ask, "Is it club time yet?