Powerful things happen when you give space and time to care for your counselors before you ask them to care for your campers. We continue to encourage you to make this a priority for your staff and for you.
The crickets were chirping and the stars in the sky were flickering to remind us where we might find light in a darkening night sky. I was sitting in a circle with staff under a canopy of oak and fir trees as we wrapped up our final training session of the day. The only thing missing was the crackle of the fire we were about to start as we prepared to reflect on the events of the day, the lessons learned, and the growing anticipation for the campers arrival the next morning.
“I needed this reminder. Sometimes it’s hard for me to see myself when I’m so focused on others.” Kurt sat down next to me (names matter) as he shared a thought with me. As I turned to look him in the eyes and respond, I grew curious. Being curious is a part of the NICE acronym we share in our MESH (+) Resource Guide, the training content in our collaborative CampWell Program with the American Camp Association, and our online OriginCare training content.
“What’s the “this,” Kurt?” I thought I knew. And clarity was needed. He continued, “The content we’ve gone over has given me tools to help me with campers this summer, but it’s also helped me to feel seen and cared for. I didn’t realize how much I needed that. And more importantly, I believe that this summer is preparing me to re-apply for med school. If my campers and other staff can overcome hard things this summer, I can too!”
The conversation stunned me. I smiled as Kurt’s words settled in. I reflected on the relevance of ACH’s work. I thought about my friend, and our caring CEO, Tracey Gaslin who was delivering similar content to a camp in North Carolina, taking in hotline calls, and preparing to join Dr. Laura Blaisdell for Facebook Live with Dr. Katelyn Jetelina of Your Local Epidemiologist.
The fire cracked. A repeat after me song was starting. I thanked Kurt for his words. I shared my appreciation for believing and imagining how the summer would prepare him for something more after camp. And I reminded him he was one of 1.5 million staff who were seeking to see campers and create healthier camp communities this summer.
Powerful things happen when you give space and time to care for your counselors before you ask them to care for your campers. We continue to encourage you to make this a priority for your staff and for you. Reach out and share a lesson learned or a struggle with our Care Team or with one of your fellow members. As we’ve been on the road we are hearing stories where there’s a longing for connection.
Together we’ve been a part of ten staff trainings (in-person and virtually) in 7 states over the last month. We are grateful for you, our faithful ACH members, our growing community of “Care Team” participants, and three distinct communities of leaders who we spent time with this spring. We’ve seen the power that comes from taking time to invest in and to see your staff. It’s reinforced priority for your campers to be cared for.
Whether it’s been our Medication Management or Introduction to Nursing Course, one of the 10k MESH (+) Pocket Guides, or the collaboration with Tickit Health and our participating Pilot Sites, we have a desire to see the profound implications for our work to help all at camp to be well.
Campers have arrived. Your sessions are underway and the magic of the space you’ve cultivated is doing its thing. We see you. We are with you. We are preparing for our post summer meet-ups and our Fall Conference on the Interconnected Ecosystem that is the summer experience. May your care this summer, like Kurt’s, create a brighter future of our world.
