As I reflect on the recent political violence, I am reminded of perhaps one of Fred Rogers’ greatest quotes: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people helping.’” This quote resonates deeply with me, especially during times of crisis and uncertainty. It serves as a reminder that amidst chaos, there are always individuals who rise to the occasion to offer support, comfort, and assistance.
Reflecting on this, I wondered what I could do from my little desk in the middle of nowhere, Colorado. My heart ached for the thousands of camp professionals across the country who are charged with supporting our youth through a scary and divisive time. These individuals are on the front lines, helping children navigate their feelings, fears, and questions about the world around them. It’s a daunting task, one that requires immense empathy, patience, and resilience.
As I pondered over this, I realized that my own experiences and expertise could be put to good use. I have spent years in the field of education and camp counseling, accumulating a wealth of knowledge and a variety of strategies to support children through difficult situations. I decided there is no better action than to reach into my own expertise, my own bag of tricks, to quickly create a resource for training.
With this in mind, I created A Guide for Camp Counselors: Supporting Kids through Difficult News. This guide is designed to provide camp counselors with practical tools and techniques to help children process and cope with troubling news. It includes strategies for creating a safe and supportive environment, fostering open communication, and providing age-appropriate explanations and reassurances. The guide also emphasizes the importance of self-care for counselors, recognizing that they too need support as they navigate these challenging times.
I hope this free resource supports summer learning professionals across the country in a time of uncertainty. By equipping camp counselors with the tools they need, we can ensure that they are prepared to be the helpers that Fred Rogers spoke of, offering solace and guidance to children when they need it most. In times like these, we must all strive to be the helpers, finding ways to contribute and support one another, no matter where we are.
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