Nary a soul is running around at this moment.  Sunday morning is the time for a “deep scrub” cleanup, followed by some introspection in the form of, first a cabin meeting for each group and then a full-camp gathering in the council fire area at high noon.  Catholics depart for Mass in nearby Bradford, Vermont at 9:30 but should be back in time for the 12:00 event.  Posted below are the Deep Scrub orders for the day, as well as a primer for staff on how to run a good cabin meeting.

When we meet at noon, I will ask boys to report to the full group on what was the best idea to come out of the smaller cabin session.  Almost invariably, this results in marvelous commentaries from the boys — young and old — that have a great chance of “sticking” in boys’ memories.

We also select new activities, review the week to come and get new table assignments at this meeting.  After the big meal of the day — at lunchtime on Sundays — boys return to their cabins to write letters home.  Will they comply?  I say yes, since a letter to you is the ticket to this evening’s ice cream party, where cabins with the best inspection grades receive the largest portions.  Don’t tell me the carrot/stick strategy is not a workable one!

The balance of the day is spent in blocks of time where boys have several options to do things that new, fun or challenging.  Maybe every day at camp should be a Sunday.  Mom and dad, perhaps, would like to see that, but the boys are agreeable to easing off the gas pedal only one day per week.

DEEP SCRUB DAY: SUNDAY June 29, 2014

 

CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST 8:00AM TO 9:30AM: Kitchen closes promptly at 9:30

 

EXTRA CABIN CLEANUP CHORES 9:30AM TO 11:00 AM

• Pick up trash in a wide circle around the cabin. Little pieces of trash are an eyesore.
• Reorganize your trunks. Move different clothes to the top and try to wear them
• Remove gear and completely sweep under all beds. You will find missing items as well.
• Get all dry clothing off the line. Air out all wet clothing and keep an eye on the weather. Bring back inside before any rain comes along.
• Change sheets and pillow cases. Air out sleeping bags.
• Take a shower, use soap and shampoo; clip nails, comb hair, clean clothing

 

CAMPUS CLEANUP CHORES 9:30AM TO 11:00AM

(The following assignments include sweeping/mopping, picking up trash, emptying trash cans and barrels at the dumpster, placing lost & found on the table under the Dining Room.)

• LAKEVIEW: Rake the entire seating area, and keep an eye open for trash under the seats. Tidy up the fire pit.
• FIREPLACE:  Check the Mail Room outside area for trash. Check for debris plus lost and found inside the vans.
• FIELDSIDE: Mem Field and soccer field – rearrange benches, place loose gear in sheds, pick up litter plus bring lost & found to under the dining room
• BUBBLER: Sweep the Nature Lodge, inside and the porch. Tidy up.
• KILN: Reorganize everything on Pines Field. Make it “ready for company.”
• SPORTS SHED: Re-organize 2 baseball sheds and the golf shed: Search the woods for balls. Tidy up and remove trash. These sheds get really trashy and need plenty of TLC.
• ROADSIDE: Across the road: rearrange benches, place loose gear in sheds, pick up litter plus bring lost & found to under the dining room
• HILLY 1: Sweep the War Room. Tidy up the area. Remove all trash.
• PINES: The road in front of the main lodge all the way to the cookout area. DETRASH everything including the cookout area and bottom of kitchen steps. Little bits of trash are major eyesores.
• HILLY 5: Main Lodge – inside rooms swept and picked up; all ping pong gear put away; board games stored in PA room; porch swept; all chairs and benches in proper places
• WATERFRONT: Both your beaches and the boat marina; not just raking but litter and organization of gear + playaks organized behind the rocks on the sand
• GUIDES: Clean up your Mail Room. Sweep campus for L&F. Make a list of names to be read at meeting. Toss out insignificant items such as dirty, nameless socks
• BARN: VISIT YOUR ASSIGNED CABIN AND HELP WHERE NEEDED

 

CABIN MEETINGS 11:00AM TO 12:00 NOON

Please come to Camp Meeting ready to offer the best thoughts that came out of your cabin meeting today. Campers and counselors may comment.

 

TODAY: See page 16 of the Staff Manual. Discuss strategies to employ when coping with new situations, such as going away to camp for the first time. Analyze the adjustment period.

 

RUNNING A SUCCESSFUL CABIN MEETING

 

You have to be on your A game mentally to conduct any serious conversation with your kids. Start by being very firm. Insist that all boys assume the same posture – sitting on a bench, laying on the grass etc. Threaten to write up boys who will not cooperate. Do it!

Re-articulate good points made by the boys. That means that you say the same thing he just said, but in your words. I do it all the time and it gives credit to the original speaker while employing the status of my approval. You can be just as good at this as anyone, if you are onto the value of the re-articulation. Funny comments that can be re-articulated into important points are also accepted. “So-and-so looked like a wounded rhino when he got kicked in the shin.” Laughter, followed by your follow-up that so-and-so was brave, sportsmanlike… etc. Works every time. Keep the meeting going the full assigned time. NO SPORTS OR GAMES AT ALL. End the meeting by thanking the boys for their attention, pointing out specific kids for their especially useful commentaries and tell them you look forward to more discussions with them. Below are some general Kingswood talking points you can use to keep any conversation alive.

 

• Let’s talk about the good and bad things of the past week
• What are your continuing expectations of being at camp?
• What changes would you recommend to the program?
• What are some of your hobbies outside of camp?
• Why is Kingswood different from (or similar to) school?
• Tell a story about a very “good camp” event.
• Vote on the following statement (Your choice) on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 meaning you are quite unhappy about the situation described in the statement to 10, meaning you are thrilled. Examples: You are making friends; you are adjusting to camp life; you think about family and home but it does not bother you as much any more; you like camp activities; vote on camp happiness now that you have been here for 7, 14, or 21 days.
• Some people think that your happiness at camp must be earned.
• Let’s think of a great report regarding this meeting that one of us can make at full camp meeting coming up next.
• Everyone think of a kudo he could make on another boy or counselor if we have the chance to do it at full camp meeting. Sportsmanship and friendship examples are better than achievement kudos. Why?
• Let’s talk about Kingswood’s rules: Are they strict? Should we accept them? Are there better ones we could suggest?
• What about the freedoms we have at Kingswood? Are they not free enough, too free, or just about right? Name some you would add or subtract.
• Name some responsibilities we have at camp. Is it good to have some things we must do?
• What is a bully? Why do some guys act like big shots? What can you personally do about a boy who insists on being cruel to you?
• To make a friend, you have to BE a friend. What are some strategies you can employ here?
• “Cabin dynamics” are very important at camp? Who can define the term?
• Sharing is a great human trait. Why do more of it than less?
• Foul language is a sign of a guy who cannot express his true feelings or views very well.
• Let’s conclude by listing all the reasons why Kingswood is a great place to spent one’s summer.