Advice?? 😀
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Hi!!
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\nI’m super excited to spend this summer at camp, and meet all of you wonderful ladies!
However, I’m a newbie, and I could use some help from all of you seasoned campers. Growing up, I only ever went to a one week camp with my local youth group, and it was nothing like Rockbrook!
\nSo, if everyone would just share some advice, things you wish you knew before your first time as a counselor, or whatever else you want to share with me and all the other newbie counselors!! I would super appreciate it!!! -
Ah!! Thanks for doing this! I too am a newbie and would like to know of any ideas that the campers in the past have thought to be dumb or effective. I’ve worked at Vacation Bible School for many years and kinda only have an idea what 1st and 2nd graders like
And are there any camp songs I should learn? Might even add some sort of guitar playing to it -
Steph and Emily!
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\nGreat Forum! I’m so glad you ladies got this started.
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\nCheck your permanent address soon. At the beginning of the week I sent out a big packet that includes a song book, a CD, a packing list, and other tid bits that will help you prepare for the summer. Also, wait for a call from us (or beat us to the punch and call us!) because we are in the process of chatting with counselors about their assignments for the summer and what their role consists of.
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\nAs for songs some personal favorites include- but are not limited to- An Austrian Went Yodeling, Yogi Bear, Honosarius, and The Coconut Song.
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\nI know the counselors will give you the real nitty gritty, but if you need anything I’m just a phone call away! -
Steph and Emily,
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\nThis is an amazing forum to start and its totally okay to want to ask questions and learn and anticipate what to expect. I know I sure had a hard time adjusting to being a CIT last year. Sofie’s packet will really help you get a feel for what Rockbrook really is about but I will gladly give you guys some advice too.
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\n1.) I think the biggest thing is to get involved. Get involved in skits, your campers, Rockbrook surprises, and your activity! The more you give the more you will take away from camp!
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\n2.) Also, don’t be shy to ask if you need anything. Being a mini session counselor, I will most likely be on the Junior line but, I’m willing to share everything and everything if you need it. From a shower caddy to just an ear to listen to any problems or concerns. I know all the other amazing staff will do the same.
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\n3.) Get to know your camper!!!!!! I can not emphasis this enough. I have been attending Rockbrook for ten years and part of me coming back is the amazing friendships you form with other campers but also with your counselors. Be a role model for them and take such great care of them. My first cabin ever was with a Ms. Hunter Futch and Cecily Bigham (SHOUT OUT)!!! We adored our campers very much and the more we got to know them the easier we were able to bond and form relationships with them. They will always hold a special place in my heart. Honestly, getting to know your campers, bonding, and creating memories is some the greatest moments you will have at camp!
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\nHope I could help! Can’t wait to meet you girls! -
Thank y’all so much for the responses and help! Those are great tips, and I will make sure I get to know my campers, and fellow counselors! That’s one of my favorite things about going to new places. Every person is unique and it’s absolutely amazing learning new things about people.
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\nSofie, I’ve been studying and listening to the Rockbrook songs. Just got the envelope yesterday! It’s awesome! Thanks for sending that to us -
Hey Steph and Emily!
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\nI will be coming back for my third year as a counselor. I feel like I have had a different experience than a lot of the other counselors because I was never a camper there. My biggest piece of advice is just to completely dive in. The counselors are there to make things fun for the campers. You’ll do things at camp that you’d never dream of doing in real life, but that’s what it’s for. Don’t be afraid to act silly or ridiculous. The campers love it. The more ridiculous we act and feel comfortable doing it, the more comfortable they are with letting go and just having fun.
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\nHope that helps. It’s an amazing place. You’re gonna love it! -
Thanks, Eva!!! I really appreciate your advice! This is great! Everyone’s advice is much appreciated, but it is great to hear from people who weren’t Rockbrook campers. I’m glad to see you keep doing it, too! Just makes it sound all the more amazing! Can’t wait to meet you!
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\nThanks,
\nEm -
So I guess “costumes” are a camp necessity. Can someone give me a better idea of what I’ll need? I have a giant costume box but it won’t fit on the plane… Do I need more clothing-type things or more accessories (wigs, makeup, etc.)?
\nThis is totally a silly question but I’m STOKED on dressing up and don’t want to under/over do it. -
Thank ya’ll for starting this because I’m a newbie too! This is really helpful!
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Hey Carlie,
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\nCostumes are definitely a camp necessity. I actually went through my box today and tried to figure out what to bring and what to leave at home. Your campers will definitely want to use them, so don’t bring anything you’re super attached to. I mean, accidents happen, so be prepared for something to get misplaced or torn. Other than that, it’s really up to you. The costumes are mostly for skits, so the girls (and counselors) will run wild with whatever you bring. I personally wouldn’t bring the makeup, just because most of the time, the girls are only given a short amount of time to prepare. They like to just throw on clothes or use props because it’s quick, easy, and still creative. Hope that helped! Can’t wait to meet you. -
love this! Keep the advice coming, random little things help too
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Like what others are saying, putting everything into camp ensures that you will get the most out of it. I love camp, and it is literally a second home to me, and I think that is because i have invested so much in camp life.
\nEva (who was my counselor) had great costume tips, accidents do happen so its serious when we say don’t bring anything too attached to you.
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\nIf you ever need anything feel free to ask any of us, we clearly LOVE camp and we LOVE to talk about it! -
Hi!!
\nHonestly, all of you have already hit the nail on the head for how to have a fun and rewarding camp experience. PS. EVA WHATS UP???!?!?! SO excited FOR YOU TO BE BACKKKK!!!!!
\nErhum.. as far as advice goes, here our my two-cents
\nFor the “newbies” simply the fact that you created this forum and asked for advice already indicates to me how enthusiastic and dedicated yall are going to be this summer!
\n- Enthusiasm is key and CONTAGIOUS, so spread it! Not only will the campers feed off of your energy, but so will the other counselors. By making each and every daily activity seem like the COOLEST thing since toaster strudels, nothing will ever feel mundane or repetitive.
\n- On that note, don’t be afraid to let yo’ silly side out!
\n- Approach everything with a positive attitude and you will be rewarded.
\n- Frustrated? Upset? Stuck in a ditch? The best advice I can give in the case that some things are not going super well is do NOT hold it in and keep it to yourself. Talk to someone–ANYONE. Whether it is another counselor, your linehead, Sofie, Mandy, Charlotte, Sarah, Jeff, or even the tree behind your cabin (however you roll) have a conversation with someone! 9 times out of 10 they will be able to help or direct you to someone who can. No issue is too small or too big. If you can’t sleep at night, neither can we
\n- Rockbrook is an amazing support network, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT! This will be my 11th year at camp and I still to this day look to my camp friends for just about everything.
\n- COSTUMES COSTUMES COSTUMES. If you can beat my rally box I will bake you something. No but really, campers and counselors alike love to dress up and if you are okay with supplying some of your material they’ll revel in it.
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\nI’ll try to come up with more. I am currently still in school (#quartersystemschoolproblems) so I should probably pay attention to this lecture!!
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\nROCKBROOK LOVE! feel free to message me via facebook or through here for any specific questions. I take pride in the amount of RBC insight I have. -
Thank you to everyone for all your advice!!!
I am SO stoked for Sunday. Can’t wait! I wish I could bring more costumes, but I’m flying so I’m a bit limited. I am bringing a few awesome things though!
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\nI’m just so excited to throw myself into this experience full force! I have heard nothing but wonderful things, and I can’t wait to make this the best summer of my life!! Can’t wait to meet you all! -
Any packing tips (besides the list we received)? Things we may not think of but should bring, how much, etc?
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Honestly you can never have enough t-shirts or pairs of shorts. Also don’t forget a few leave outfits so you can look like a real person!
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\nAnd of course COSTUMES! -
Thank you SO MUCH for makig this forum! I’m a newbie counselor as well and this advice is really helpful.
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\nI will be sure to bring costumes now; I wouldn’t have before, but now I will thanks to this forum! I have tons of mardi gras beads and funky jewelry.
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\nSo I saw the word “shower caddie” in one post, which I know is a camp essential. Are there any other supplies I should bring aside from the obvious (flashlight, bug spray etc.) that isn’t on the camp packing list?? Oh, and who will be here for third session? That’s when I’m coming down! -
I’ll be here for third session!
All three, actually.
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\nI was just wondering what we need as far as blankets. It says to bring 2, but how thick should they be? Should I bring a comforter? Or just a light blanket? I’m not sure how cold it gets in the cabins at night.
\nThanks! -
newbie in the HOUUUSE!!!
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\ni read somewhere that stackable drawers would be helpful..i so happen to have a nifty plastic three-drawer set from wally world that i use for school, would that take up too much space?
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\nim afraid i’ll either overpack or underpack….i’m prone to doing such…. -
Kristen- stackable draws usually fit in the cabin! i’ve seen them used before, you can just keep them right by your bed.
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\nalso, something i ALWAYS bring to camp is a mini bathroom rug- like one you would keep in front of a sink. there is dirt all over the place, especially on feet! i keep it in front of my bed so i can wipe off my feet before i get under my covers…sleeping in dirt is no fun.
\nso just an idea…
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