Counselor Info and Role / Responsibilities

Counselors lead classes, help campers with some of their daily activities, develop relationships and mentor campers and have the opportunity to learn and have fun themselves. As a counselor, you will play many roles: leading and supporting parent volunteers in the enrichment classes you have been assigned, helping with morning and early evening cabin duties for the cabin you have been assigned, accompanying your cabin campers in many camp activities when you are not teaching a class, and using dedicated camper-counselor time to create mentoring relationships with campers. 

Each camper cabin has at least two counselors assigned to the cabin, so counselor duties can be shared and not conflict with times when counselors are responsible for enrichment classes. Counselors do not sleep in cabins with campers; they have been assigned to specific counselor cabins.

Counselors also engage in curriculum planned specifically to them; the goal is to provide a forum to address topics that will help them grow. They’ll have the opportunity to meet a variety of parents representing different careers in a panel, they’ll play a variety of trust, relationship development games, and participate in engaging and relevant discussions. Perhaps the most fun for them is their time spent with peers playing kabaddi, newcomb, and cricket during dedicated counselor time! 

Morning Time 

Counselors are expected to meet their Cabin Parents at the bunk at a designated time in the morning, as agreed to by cabin parents and counselors. During this time, Counselors are expected to help parents get campers ready for the day: ensure they do their morning cleanup, brush their teeth, get dressed, and know what to expect for the day. Review their schedule and remind them what classes they have and where they meet. Escort campers to breakfast. Counselors are expected to sit with their campers during breakfast. 

Camper Activities

When not teaching enrichment classes, your counselor schedule will indicate other commitments you might have whether it be sports, overseeing lake or pool time, or helping out with more enrichment classes. 

Lunch Time

On Wednesday and Friday, counselors are expected to have lunch with their cabins, and lead discussions at the lunch table. This is a great time to check in to see how campers are doing, but also to get to know campers at a deeper level. See appendix for “table talk” conversation starters that will help you use this time meaningfully. Campers look forward to the time they get to spend with their counselors, so please make this time count - they look up to you! 

Other Responsibilities

Your counselor schedule may include slots where you have been asked to help set up evening activities like the dance party or carnival. Please make sure to find the appropriate parent volunteers during those times so you can assist. Additionally, some counselors have been assigned special tasks like photography, trivia questions planning, talent show planning, etc. While these tasks are not assigned to a specific time frame, we expect you to meet as a group, delegate tasks and keep the parent volunteer sponsor informed of progress.

Evening Time

Counselors are expected to meet their campers at their bunks at 5pm to help with shower and cabin clean up time. They’ll help the kids by creating an organized routine to ensure all kids are showered, ready, and cabins are clean by 5:50, at which time they’ll make their way to evening reflections. Counselors will remain with their campers for evening reflections, but can sit with their own peers for dinner time.  Counselors will also attend the evening “special events”. This is a time for them to enjoy with their own friends, but the expectation is that they’ll check in with their campers from time to time to see that they’re having fun. Counselors are not expected to help with the bedtime routine of campers.

Role of Counselor vs. Cabin Parent 

Counselors will assist Cabin parents at certain times in the day where extra hands will be useful.  The morning routine, after the campers wake up, is a helpful time for Counselors to assist the campers along with the Camp Parents to get ready for the day and guide them to breakfast.  Counselors will also be sitting with their camper cohorts at certain meal times.

Enrichment

Counselors have been assigned to take two enrichment courses during the week. These classes are meant to be fun and an opportunity for you to learn something new at camp as well, like dance, cooking or archery! 

Counselor Time

There are 6 hours during the week when counselors participate in discussions, career counseling, and Indian sports and games - playing against each other, and organized and supervised by the Games committee. 

Lake Time

There are two dedicated time slots for counselors to go to the lake as a group, without campers. 

Counselor FAQ’s

Where can counselors use their phones?

We are trying to create an environment as phone-free as possible. Counselors will not have their phones with them during the days, but can use them during the dedicated counselor time of 9-10:30pm daily. 

If I am having any issues with a camper, volunteer or fellow counselor, who should I talk to?

If you are dealing with a situation that seems unmanageable, please approach one of the volunteers from the disciplinary committee (Devesh Uncle, Ohm Uncle, Shikha Aunty or Kriti Aunty).

What if campers don’t want to participate in an activity? 

It is mandatory for campers to partake in all camp activities except water-related activities (swimming or lake-related activities). If a camper feels unsafe in any capacity, please discuss with the parent leading the activity and a member of the IFNet Camp Organizing Committee. 

Who is allowed to use the golf carts?

In general, these are used by IFNet volunteers for security checks, to transport materials or cover multiple areas of campsite for camp tasks in a tight timeframe. Only parent volunteers may use the golf cart and only for camp purposes.

What do counselors do during their free time? 

Counselors are welcome to use the camp’s sports facilities (tennis, basketball, soccer, etc), take a walk on campus, meet up with other counselors at the counselor tent, and spend time with their camp friends. This is time for them to also refresh, catch up, and take a break from being “on” with responsibilities. 

Counselors: