Camper Discipline

-The importance of good discipline.

Discipline is training. It is encouraging a person to be an influence for good in our world. Discipline is a process of learning to do what is acceptable and best for everyone. It is not punishment for breaking rules. When we discipline ourselves and others, we train to do right. Discipline is not to a child, but for a child. It helps him learn to handle himself in his world.

Discipline in a camp setting tries to motivate campers to good behavior. That means getting them to want to behave well. This can be done through relationships with each other and with their counselors; and through their desire for new skills and experiences instead of with special favors, promises or bribes. As a counselor, your relationship with each camper will have a powerful influence on the way he (or she) thinks about himself, about older people, relationships, society, Christianity, and even God Himself. You are the child’s family away from home. Every act of discipline is a chance to encourage a child to be more like Jesus Christ.

When discipline is handled poorly, it can do tremendous damage. One parent said, “My son burst into tears at the end of camp and told me he wanted to run away because his counselor was ‘so mean’. He is soured on camp. The counselor apparently does not know that one week can poison a young mind towards the church and Christianity.”

Howard Hendricks tells a story about himself in fifth grade. His fifth grade teacher saw him only as a troublemaker –so much so that she sometimes tied him to a chair! He passed fifth grade only because she wanted to get rid of him. On the first day of sixth grade his teacher said to him, “I’ve heard an awful lot about you. But I don’t believe a word of it.” Howard says, “ I met the first person who believed in me.” He was a different person after that.

In working with campers it’s important to see a difficult child not as he is, but as he can become. Often a camper feels nervous at the beginning of camp, and may not be on his best behavior. You will need to guard against labeling people as troublemakers – don’t be bound by first impressions. It’s often been said, “if you tell a child often enough that he is stupid, he will soon begin to believe it.”

Campers are expected to treat counselors with respect, but this is a two-way street. Even troublesome children deserve respect. And respect builds relationships. That’s important. Campers are more responsive when they trust you. Remember that “please” and “thank you” go a long way toward building relationships.

Related Entries

• Camper Behavioral Correction Guideline
• Expectations of Summer Staff
• General Supervision of Campers
• Summer Camp Dress Code
• Summer Camp Electronics Policy