How to be a
Successful Camp Counselor !

John Steen, Instructor

How can we have good success as camp

counselors this summer?

Joshua 1:8, 9

1.  This Book of the Law shall not depart out of my mouth.

     a.  reading--Psalm 119:11

     b.  meditating--Psalm 19:7, 8

     c.  memorizing

2.  Thou shalt meditate therein day and night--think on one verse for the day--The Word is our instruction manual, our counselor's manual!  Psalm 1:2

3.  That thou mayst observe to do according to all that is written therein.

The way to know what God wants us to do--willing to do all that our Commander wants us to do!

4.  For then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

5.  If we do the above we can claim this promise.  Vs. 9  Have not I commanded thee?  Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest! 

Find these qualities in the lives of your counselors, qualities that determine Christian character, and you will have outstanding young men and women to minister with you.

1.  Clear Understanding:  What they know: 

Responsibilities

Privileges

Policies

Authority

Clarity in these areas will establish and go a long way in maintaining a smooth operation in your ministry.  It is always easier and better to tell your counselors what you expect in them and from them at the beginning than to try and sneak up on them and hope that they will meet your standards and work out.  The same principle that applies to permanent staff, applies to summer workers--that success in the ministry depends upon the character of the participants.

2.  Proper working relationships

Do the right thing and do it in the right way.  Constantly ask the Lord for wisdom and understanding to always do what is wise and what is best.

If you have a Board, work with it, but remember that normally a board deals with policy (not implementing) and principles (not personalities).

As the leader, director, administrator, keep the following in mind:

1.  Maintain adequate and clear communication both ways so there are no surprises.

2.  In staff decisions, seek a consensus.  If you fail to arrive at one, pray and think some more.  Always seek unanimity on the basis of Biblical principles, not just on the basis of personal opinions.

3.  Absolutely insist on confidentiality.

4.  You must be willing and able to confront. (Col. 1:28)  If we cannot confront a person, we should not be in leadership positions.

5.  Do all you can to command and promote other staff--counselors, workers, etc.

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