What 'Likeability' Really Means In The Workplace
Alicia Menendez is a journalist, podcast creator and the author of The Likeability Trap.
She says likeability is a moving target — an invisible scorecard that we internalize but that those around us fill out for us. And the stakes of that scorecard are even higher in the workplace.
Alicia Menendez is a journalist, podcast creator and the author of The Likeability Trap.
She says likeability is a moving target — an invisible scorecard that we internalize but that those around us fill out for us. And the stakes of that scorecard are even higher in the workplace.
Finding the Way of Cross in Nature: A guide for kids
This resource from the Rev. Mia Kano was written for Holy Week and Good Friday, as a way to connect what kids are seeing in the outdoors to the stations of the cross. I can imagine many ways it could be used in a camp setting; there’s a version for adults, too!
This resource from the Rev. Mia Kano was written for Holy Week and Good Friday, as a way to connect what kids are seeing in the outdoors to the stations of the cross. I can imagine many ways it could be used in a camp setting; there’s a version for adults, too!
Understanding Trauma: What's up with "that" kid?
There is a challenging child in every group. As Christian educators we learn about Autism, Asperger’s, learning disabilities, and physical disabilities. We do everything in our power to meet children where they are and welcome them into our midst. We know Christ calls us to do so.
But what about the kid that doesn’t fit any diagnosis you’ve heard of?
…
That’s my kid, and his issue is early childhood trauma.
There is a challenging child in every group. As Christian educators we learn about Autism, Asperger’s, learning disabilities, and physical disabilities. We do everything in our power to meet children where they are and welcome them into our midst. We know Christ calls us to do so.
But what about the kid that doesn’t fit any diagnosis you’ve heard of?
…
That’s my kid, and his issue is early childhood trauma.
Clergy-in-Residence Style Program Guide
Whether it's called, Clergy-in-Residence, Pastor of the Week, Minister-in-Residence, Camp Chaplain, or
something else, engaging clergy at summer camp brings value to campers, clergy volunteers, and your
overall ministry. In this guide, you will find real examples of United Methodist Clergy-in-Residence
style programs. You will learn about the benefits of offerings like these, as well as things to consider
when designing your own Clergy-in-Residence style program.
Whether it's called, Clergy-in-Residence, Pastor of the Week, Minister-in-Residence, Camp Chaplain, or
something else, engaging clergy at summer camp brings value to campers, clergy volunteers, and your
overall ministry. In this guide, you will find real examples of United Methodist Clergy-in-Residence
style programs. You will learn about the benefits of offerings like these, as well as things to consider
when designing your own Clergy-in-Residence style program.
#ThanksToCamp
Beth Allison from GoCampPro shared this litany of encouragement and "The Camp Song" video from Peter Katz with a montage of #thankstocamp moments from Canadian camps. If you need a pick-me-up and reminder of why you do this work, this litany and video may help to reignite you. We have permission to adapt the litany and use it at our own camps. View the litany & video
Beth Allison from GoCampPro shared this litany of encouragement and "The Camp Song" video from Peter Katz with a montage of #thankstocamp moments from Canadian camps. If you need a pick-me-up and reminder of why you do this work, this litany and video may help to reignite you. We have permission to adapt the litany and use it at our own camps. View the litany & video
Summer Camp Curriculum Design & Visioning - An Inside Look
UMCRM member Troy Taylor (Camp Magruder, OR), serves as one of our denomination's representatives (David Berkey, now serving Michigan Area UM Camp & Retreat Ministries, is the other) to the ecumenical team that designs the InsideOut summer camp resource each year. Troy gives us a look inside the development process, describing how the scriptures are selected and themes produced collaboratively. Learn about the values that guide the team and how the summer camp curriculum is thoughtfully designed to equip Christian camp leaders to create excellent, faith-forming experiences. Whether or not you're a current user of the Inside Out curriculum, you'll gain new insight into the creative process. Read the blog post
UMCRM member Troy Taylor (Camp Magruder, OR), serves as one of our denomination's representatives (David Berkey, now serving Michigan Area UM Camp & Retreat Ministries, is the other) to the ecumenical team that designs the InsideOut summer camp resource each year. Troy gives us a look inside the development process, describing how the scriptures are selected and themes produced collaboratively. Learn about the values that guide the team and how the summer camp curriculum is thoughtfully designed to equip Christian camp leaders to create excellent, faith-forming experiences. Whether or not you're a current user of the Inside Out curriculum, you'll gain new insight into the creative process. Read the blog post
Thermometer Comparison & Analysis
As you stock your infirmary for a COVID summer, this is a good tool from the Association for Camp Nurses to help you choose the right thermometers.
As you stock your infirmary for a COVID summer, this is a good tool from the Association for Camp Nurses to help you choose the right thermometers.
Model State Guidance for Overnight Camps
This document provides guidelines, recommendations, and reference information specifically for overnight camp operations for spring and summer 2021. The foundation for these guidelines is built upon published documents from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Association of Camp Nursing (ACN), and in the Field Guide from the American Camp Association (ACA).
This document provides guidelines, recommendations, and reference information specifically for overnight camp operations for spring and summer 2021. The foundation for these guidelines is built upon published documents from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Association of Camp Nursing (ACN), and in the Field Guide from the American Camp Association (ACA).
Running a ropes course during COVID-19: Resources & grant opportunity
The Alliance Collaborative is offering resources for challenge courses and aerial adventure attractions to develop a COVID-19 operations plan that is specific to their course’s needs, and twenty grants for inspection services to US-based non-profit organizations that utilize challenge course/ropes course/zip line/climbing wall structures, and that have experienced economic difficulty as a result of COVID-19 shelter-in place regulations.
The Alliance Collaborative is offering resources for challenge courses and aerial adventure attractions to develop a COVID-19 operations plan that is specific to their course’s needs, and twenty grants for inspection services to US-based non-profit organizations that utilize challenge course/ropes course/zip line/climbing wall structures, and that have experienced economic difficulty as a result of COVID-19 shelter-in place regulations.
Games for Social Distancing
These online trainings have been recommended for those who need new go-to games that account for social distancing, and also Zoom game options. They’re free, and there are dozens available in the coming months.
If you participate in one, please let us know how it goes here.
These online trainings have been recommended for those who need new go-to games that account for social distancing, and also Zoom game options. They’re free, and there are dozens available in the coming months.
If you participate in one, please let us know how it goes here.
Preparing Participants for a Different Summer
This video from Outward Bound is agreat example of how to prepare campers and families for what will be different, what is expected of them, and also what continues to be special and wonderful about your program. It’s glossy, and worth a look to see what it might inspire for you.
This video from Outward Bound is agreat example of how to prepare campers and families for what will be different, what is expected of them, and also what continues to be special and wonderful about your program. It’s glossy, and worth a look to see what it might inspire for you.
Ideas? Share them here.
Staff Culture: Skipping a Season without Skipping a Beat
Reflecting on all that was lost in summer (and throughout) 2020, American Camp Association is offering suggestions for motivating staff to buy into the unknown of this coming summer. Some of the questions include:
How do we compensate for the gap in leadership experience for staff not at camp this past summer?
How are we going to view, describe, and remember this summer?
How do we create a positive camp experience for kids (and staff) after they’ve been cooped up and trapped in a virtual world where almost nothing has been business as usual?
We also encourage you to visit the materials from our Annual Conference presentation from S’More Melanin, specifically on serving Black and brown communities, and young adults after what they’ve experienced in 2020.
Reflecting on all that was lost in summer (and throughout) 2020, American Camp Association is offering suggestions for motivating staff to buy into the unknown of this coming summer. Some of the questions include:
How do we compensate for the gap in leadership experience for staff not at camp this past summer?
How are we going to view, describe, and remember this summer?
How do we create a positive camp experience for kids (and staff) after they’ve been cooped up and trapped in a virtual world where almost nothing has been business as usual?
We also encourage you to visit the materials from our Annual Conference presentation from S’More Melanin, specifically on serving Black and brown communities, and young adults after what they’ve experienced in 2020.
Camp Staff as Essential Workers
We received word from the American Camp Association last week that camp staff can be counted as essential workers (as “out of school time workers”), when it comes to vaccine implementation. There are still many factors that vary by state, but you will want to start investigating and communicating with your staff.
Restorative Justice Training for Camp Leaders
The Summer Camp Society is offering a Restorative Justice training course for camp leaders. It's a once a week course for eight weeks (Feb 1-March 8) and costs $199. If you use RESTORE when you register, you can get $50 off.
If you have questions about the program, Paris Ball participated last fall, recommends it, and is happy to share about her experience.
The Summer Camp Society is offering a Restorative Justice training course for camp leaders. It's a once a week course for eight weeks (Feb 1-March 8) and costs $199. If you use RESTORE when you register, you can get $50 off.
If you have questions about the program, Paris Ball participated last fall, recommends it, and is happy to share about her experience.
Staff & Director Evaluation Samples
We've gotten several requests lately for examples of staff and director evaluations. Here are some generic versions of evaluations.
We've gotten several requests lately for examples of staff and director evaluations. Here are some generic versions of evaluations.
Cleansing 2020 and Making Room for Joy in 2021
What objects around your are subtly (or overwhelmingly) causing you to feel regret, overwhelm, stuck-ness, shame, guilt, or anxiety? Consider how to address or remove these triggers from your home or office, and prepare for 2021.
Where to look for stuck-ness in your home:
- Spaces that are unfinished or undecorated
- Art propped up against the walls that hasn’t been framed or hung
- Things you have been saving for a future life that you might enjoy right now (e.g. fancy dishes, family heirlooms)
- Styles or objects that you feel you’ve outgrown
What objects around your are subtly (or overwhelmingly) causing you to feel regret, overwhelm, stuck-ness, shame, guilt, or anxiety? Consider how to address or remove these triggers from your home or office, and prepare for 2021.
Where to look for stuck-ness in your home:
- Spaces that are unfinished or undecorated
- Art propped up against the walls that hasn’t been framed or hung
- Things you have been saving for a future life that you might enjoy right now (e.g. fancy dishes, family heirlooms)
- Styles or objects that you feel you’ve outgrown
Online Learning Opportunity: Developing a Rule of Life
Drawing closer to Jesus takes both desire and commitment.
That's where a Rule of Life can come in. For centuries, Christians have used this discipline to order their lives to more closely conform to that of Jesus Christ. In this course, Hillary Raining shows us how in these video presentations entitled:
Original Wisdom
Honoring Your Mystic Sight
Creativity Studio
A Life Long Practice
Learn more and register here. This parallel course is also available for a group developing a rule of life.
Drawing closer to Jesus takes both desire and commitment.
That's where a Rule of Life can come in. For centuries, Christians have used this discipline to order their lives to more closely conform to that of Jesus Christ. In this course, Hillary Raining shows us how in these video presentations entitled:
Original Wisdom
Honoring Your Mystic Sight
Creativity Studio
A Life Long Practice
Learn more and register here. This parallel course is also available for a group developing a rule of life.
#SaveNextSummer Campaign
In the past year, we have experienced some of the most challenging times in camping history. Without state industry guidance resident camps were not able to open. Advocate for camp guidance in your state or region here.
Specific notes for California camps: You understand camps support the critical social and emotional needs of children in California and provide necessary support for working parents. We are advocating for appropriate rules for the safe operation of camps for summer 2021.
ACA and California Collaboration for Youth (CCFY) can be strong public health partners with the California Department of Public Health in the development of appropriate rules for the safe operation of camp in 2021.
You are invited to an open forum with camping professionals to learn more about how we can advocate for this first step for summer camps in California to receive reopening guidance and what you can do to be a part of it. Join our campaign to #SaveNextSummer — Register to join a statewide call on November 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Experts from the CCFY and ACA will share key information about how you can take action at the state and county level to help your camp receive needed guidance from the public health department so you can begin planning to safely reopen in 2021. This Zoom call is open to all CA camp professionals and lay leaders. We are building a coalition across all parts of the camping industry. Join us to help #SaveNextSummer.
In the past year, we have experienced some of the most challenging times in camping history. Without state industry guidance resident camps were not able to open. Advocate for camp guidance in your state or region here.
Specific notes for California camps: You understand camps support the critical social and emotional needs of children in California and provide necessary support for working parents. We are advocating for appropriate rules for the safe operation of camps for summer 2021.
ACA and California Collaboration for Youth (CCFY) can be strong public health partners with the California Department of Public Health in the development of appropriate rules for the safe operation of camp in 2021.
You are invited to an open forum with camping professionals to learn more about how we can advocate for this first step for summer camps in California to receive reopening guidance and what you can do to be a part of it. Join our campaign to #SaveNextSummer — Register to join a statewide call on November 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Experts from the CCFY and ACA will share key information about how you can take action at the state and county level to help your camp receive needed guidance from the public health department so you can begin planning to safely reopen in 2021. This Zoom call is open to all CA camp professionals and lay leaders. We are building a coalition across all parts of the camping industry. Join us to help #SaveNextSummer.
Camp@Home: Online Content Lessons Learned
This summer, Camp Alta Mons launched Camp @ Home—a 100% online and free-to- all camp program created to help connect kids, families, alumni, and supporters to a summer camp experience. It ran for 9 total weeks and was a huge success. Here are my top 10 pieces of advice that I learned from my summer creating, producing, and publishing this online content.
This summer, Camp Alta Mons launched Camp @ Home—a 100% online and free-to- all camp program created to help connect kids, families, alumni, and supporters to a summer camp experience. It ran for 9 total weeks and was a huge success. Here are my top 10 pieces of advice that I learned from my summer creating, producing, and publishing this online content.
Intentional Leadership: A 6-Week Devotional About Change
Download the Leader Guides for a small group 6-week series:
Download the Leader Guides for a small group 6-week series: