Los internacionales: working with international staff

Camping Magazine, July-August, 1996 by Carmen Grace Salazar, Douglas McEwen

Each year, more than 16,000 international staff members work in U.S. camps; 20 percent return to camp a second year. International staff can be invaluable assets. Here's how to help your staff get the most out of this summer's experience.

Speak plain English

"That's cool." "You're bad." "Hit me with it." Much of our language is spoken in colloquialisms or short cuts that leave anyone who hasn't grown up in America confused. Speed up the speech, slur a few words, and a person who has studied English for many years is lost.

Try to speak at a normal pace and avoid figures of speech that international staff may not understand. Give international staff a few extra moments to comprehend instructions or questions. Remember that international staff may not be able to express themselves clearly, especially at the beginning of camp when they are learning many new words and expressions.

Make camp policies and customs clear

International staff who have not had experience at your camp need extra orientation to policies, rules, and camp customs. Ask international staff members to come to camp a day or two early. This extra time will allow them to adjust to the time difference, the weather, and camp surroundings.

Be aware of the things international staff know and do not know. For example, they may be familiar with many camp activities, but not the English names or some specific rule modifications used at your camp. They may not understand certain relationship customs, including how young boys and girls treat each other, how campers treat adults, and how conflicts are settled.

Be aware of cultural differences with regard to authority and rules. In some countries it is common to wait for instruction before acting, instead of volunteering and taking initiative.

Spice up your camp food

Include dishes from other countries in your camp's menu. Food is a great way to teach campers and staff about other cultures. Some international dishes use ingredients that are known and eaten in this country but are prepared differently. Campers can cook the easier dishes as a camp activity and bring the recipes home.

Be aware that international staff may find American food difficult to digest. Advise international staff to eat foods that are similar to those they are used to, to eat small portions of unfamiliar foods, and to gradually increase the amount of food they eat that is different from their native diet.

Make a foreign language fun

International staff have the opportunity to share their cultures by playing games and singing songs in their native languages. Foreign languages fascinate campers. International staff can teach campers new words by leading name games that use animals, plants, cities, or countries. Consider labeling camp places, objects, and activities in a foreign language. Campers and staff can sing songs in foreign languages and in English, switching back and forth between languages.

Use the buddy system

Assign buddies to international staff. Buddies can offer understanding and advice that will speed the adjustment process. Be careful to select buddies who are interested in international cultures, patient, and willing to listen and explain.

Create good ambassadors

International staff can be great ambassadors for your camp and for the United States. Not only are they likely to return to your camp the following year, they will encourage their friends to apply for staff positions at camp.

Including international staff in your camp can be a great adventure. It is a rich opportunity for cultural exchange that cannot be easily achieved in any other setting. Take advantage of international staff by appreciating their cultural differences and similarities. Your camp will be a better experience, and everyone involved will gain a greater appreciation of other cultures.

RELATED ARTICLE: Tips for Hiring International Staff

By Bill Harwood, president of Camp Counselors USA

* If you use an international staffing agency, be sure it gets to know your camp. Have its employees visited your camp? Have they seen your video? If so, it will be far easier for them to select the correct applicants for your camp.

* Telephone the applicants before you decide to hire them. It's a great time to double-check their English skills and to get them excited about your camp.

* Mail a welcome packet to international staff. Include a camp brochure, a list of rules and policies, the camp philosophy, and a welcome letter.

* Send a list of suggested clothing to international staff. Remember that they will not be able to bring everything a U.S. staff member will bring to camp.

* If you have previously employed staff members from the same country, share their telephone numbers with new staff. New staff will learn a lot about your camp from these people.

Carmen Grace Salazar teaches at the University of Costa Rica. She earned her master's degree in recreation as an international exchange student at Southern Illinois University. She worked as a camp counselor at Camp Ondessonk, Ill.

Douglas McEwen is a professor at Southern Illinois University. He has been involved for many years in a variety of Boy Scout and YMCA camps. He also has taught camp management and has traveled to Latin America.