Section 4. Club Tips & Tricks Family Participation Communication A Language of our own Parent Jobs. Resources Parent Participation Survey WoHeLo Rules

Transcription

1 Section 4 Club Tips & Tricks Family Participation Communication A Language of our own Parent Jobs Resources Parent Participation Survey WoHeLo Rules

2 Club Tips & Tricks In this section you will be given some tips and tricks for helping your club run smoothly. There are many different elements that come together to create a cohesive club. You, as the Club Liaison, are the glue that holds it all together. The most successful clubs realize early on that the most important element to a great club is the families that come together each week. By empowering each family from the very beginning you, as the Club Liaison, can spend more time enjoying your Camp Fire experience and not over extending yourself. While you are the glue that holds it all together, you really shouldn t be doing it all! Family Participation One of the ways to empower individual families is to complete a Parent Participation Survey. This survey allows you to offer up all the areas in which you need assistance. It also gives the families a chance to voice their strengths. You can utilize the survey provided in this book or you can create your own. Whichever you choose, be sure to start each newyear with one and ask each new family you gain throughout the year to fill one out. Another way to empower families is to have them sign up for club jobs. Each family can look at their own strengths and find a job that will be a good fit for them. Included in this book is a list of recommended jobs. Some families might want to take on just one job while others will be willing to take on multiple. Communication Clear communication is also a very important element of a successful club. This communication is between you, the parents/guardians and the youth as well as Camp Fire Orca. In this section you will find a How Would a Club Work? form. This form is for you to fill out as you establish your club. It gives you a single place to collect information and also walks you through step by step what you will need. You are encouraged to utilize whatever form of communication is best for your club. That might be s, phone calls, a closed Facebook Group; like all things in Camp Fire, please use what is the best fit for you and your club. By clearly communicating with your club you can make your expectations clear as well as share all the great events that you have planned. Don t forget to share pictures! Part of clear communication is explaining what your expectations are at club meetings and other events. At the end of this section you will find a copy of the WoHeLo Rules. Camp Fire Orca finds that these rules are a simple way to talk to youth about what behavior is expected of them during a club meeting or event, while integrating the watchword: WoHeLo. While all of these things will help you run a successful club, your dedication and commitment to lifting the voice of our youth is the most important thing you can do. Of course Camp Fire Orca staff is available to answer questions that you may have. Don t hesitate to call or , there is a solution to every question.

3 A Language of Our Own Sometimes there are questions about the language of Camp Fire. We have many words that come up throughout the year that might need some definition. Below you will find a list of common words and their meanings: Adventure Camp Fire program level for grades 3-5 Camp Fire Birthday Celebrated each year during the month of March. March 17 is officially designated as Founder's Day. Camp Fire Name A special name selected by Camp Fire members for themselves as a club; i.e. "The Creative Stars" or "Lo-HaChee" Candy Credit A credit earned by members selling candy during the Candy Sale that is redeemable for credit (not cash) toward Camp Fire Orca program and registration fees and merchandise. Candy Sale The sale of candy to support the work of club programs. Families and clubs receive incentives. Council A not-for-profit corporation chartered by Camp Fire, Inc. to provide Camp Fire programs in a geographical area. Club Dues An amount determined by the club and paid by members to be used as needed to finance club projects and outings. Day Camp A summer camping program where youth return to their homes in the evening. Discovery Camp Fire program level for grades 6-8. Emblems Recognition items made of fabric, wood, or metal usually displayed on a members vest or ceremonial costume. Executive Director (E.D.) The staff person in charge of operations of a Camp Fire council. Council Fire A traditional end of year ceremony where youth are recognized by peers and parents for achievement of goals in the previous program year. Health Form Each participant, adult and youth, must fill out this form and return it to the Club Liaison. This form is also filled out for all events. Horizon Camp Fire program level for grades Liaison An adult or older teen who works with clubs whose members are in kindergarten-twelfth grade. Little Stars A program developed for 3-5 year old children. Outdoor Progression Beginning in 3 rd grade, participants are offered an opportunity to learn skills, such as knives, knots, compass, cooking, and have outdoor experiences. Permission Form Parents/Guardians are required to complete this form when their youth is going to be participating in an event without them. Such events include but are not limited to: Candy Sale Mystery Trip, Candy Sale Lock-in, Field Trips. Program Levels Groupings of members according to similar ages: Little Stars, Starflight, Adventure, Discovery, Horizon. Resident Camp A summer camping program where youth sleep over for the duration of camp. Starflight Camp Fire program level for grades K -2. Sponsor An organization or individual that donates services, goods or a meeting place to benefit a Camp Fire club. Teens In Action Discovery and Horizon members may participate in a TIA group that focus their time on planning and implementing community service projects. Tenure Awards Awards for number of years involved in Camp Fire. Uniform Official items of clothing designated by National - available through Camp Fire Orca. Watchword: WoHeLo A Camp Fire word made up of the first two letters from the words "work", "health" and "love." WoHeLo Award The highest youth honor achievable in Camp Fire. Program available for 9th-12th graders. Individuals do extensive planning in three areas of service.

4 Club Jobs Parent Service Opportunity Suggestions Liaison/Facilitator aka The Brains Responsible for the general organization and operations of the club. Serves as a liaison between the club and the Club Program Director. Required two hours of training and optional planning time offered. Assures club representation at the six yearly required leader/adult volunteer meetings; either themselves or another parent volunteer. Meeting Host aka Community Builder Responsible for the organization of the weekly club meetings. Organizes the meeting space set-up and coordinates with level leaders regarding the agenda. Acts as the time-keeper to be sure meetings start and finish on schedule. Always ready with a group game, ice breaker, fun song or similar activity. Level Leader(s) aka Program Delivery Responsible for the weekly lesson/project portion of the club meeting (approx 30 mins). Uses the provided Camp Fire curriculum goals and meeting plans. Utilizes youth voice and choice when appropriate to determine the most meaningful content. Suggested as a shared or rotating position either yearly, seasonally, monthly or by project. Treasurer aka The Banker Responsible for the club finances. Tracks incoming and outgoing funds with a simple check register or similar system. Responsible for timely reimbursements to other adults. Once the club accumulates $100 or more, responsible for working with the leader and council to open a club bank account. Candy Captain Responsible for the club s annual candy sale and family training. Attends annual Candy Captain training in November and preps the families for goal setting in December. Heads up candy pick up and money deposits for the duration of the sale January to February (only 25 days!). Serves as the liaison between the club and the council to acquire candy and complete deposits. ***All 1st and 2nd year club families are required to attend a two hour training in November aka Candy College. Clean-up Coordinator aka The Boss Responsible for the weekly clean-up task list. Leads tasks by setting an example and delegating chores. Responsible for the final walk through after club clean-up time. *For Clubhouse use, responsible for collecting and tracking family cleaning supply donations. Club Photographer aka Paparazzi Responsible for taking photos of club activities and sharing with the group in a timely fashion via , social media or similar. Everyone loves to take photos of their own kid(s), but it is more important to be participating WITH our kids. Suggested as a shared or rotating position either yearly or seasonally

5 Parent Participation Survey SERVICE TO YOUTH & THE CLUB A club s success depends on your participation! Camp Fire offers a variety of adult volunteer positions. Children love to have their parents involved. Show you care-support your youth s club. There are many ways to help the club, so please find at least one you can do. Be an Assistant Club Liaison-attend training and meet regularly with the club. Chaperone or provide transportation for special events and trips. I have seat belts in my vehicle. I have a current driver s license and proof of insurance. Phone-telephone members: reminders, requests. Outdoor Program-attend training and help with camping projects and events. Budget-collect dues, serve as club candy sale coordinator, treasurer. Program-help the liaison find resources. Provide Snacks occasionally for club meetings. Lend a hand be available to help out as needed. Babysit Liaison s Children-when they are at Camp Fire Orca functions or conducting a meeting. Camping & Cookouts-organizing, food preparation, campsite set-up. Ceremonial & banquet activities-coordinate special events for club participants. Field Trips-locate and arrange places for interesting activities. What is YOUR spark? What would you like to teach the club? (circle choices) Arts & Crafts Sports & Games Outdoor Skills Sewing Nature Woodworking Cooking Photography Music/Singing Painting Gardening Computers Dancing Dramatics First Aid/Safety Customs of other peoples Other I have a: Current First Aid/CPR Card I would be willing to help Camp Fire Orca by serving on the following: WA State Fair (Puyallup) Candy Sale Events Celebrate Camp Fire/AIKD Puyallup Spring Fair Earth Day/Arbor Day Family Camp, Spring and/or Fall Parades: Winter and/or Spring Council Fire I am free to help: after school evenings weekends One hour-1,000 hours no amount of time is too small to volunteer! Child s Name Parent/Guardian s Name Phone number

6 WoHeLo Work: Do our best Set goals Stay on task Health: Safety is #1 Hands to ourselves Walking feet only Check in with parents Love: Be kind Be brave