This document provides guidance for cabin counselors at Riverside Bible Camp. It discusses expectations for counselors, including being prepared, being a good role model, and being friendly. It also provides tips for handling common cabin leader situations like homesick campers, bullying, discipline issues, bedwetting, getting campers to participate, and leading cabin devotions and sharing one's testimony. The key responsibilities of cabin leaders are to care for campers, resolve issues, follow camp rules, and be a Christian role model and witness.

1. RIVERSIDE BIBLE CAMP
BECOMING A
CAMP COUNSELOR
Equiping you with the tools you need

2. Expectations of Counselor
Homesick campers
Bullying & Disciplining campers
How to get campers to participate
Dealing with a Bedwetter
Sharing your testimony
Leading someone to the Lord
Break outs & Cabin Devos
KEY POINTS

3. BEING A
CABIN LEADER
Being a cabin leader is sharing yourself totally
with campers for a concentrated period of
time. It takes an abudance of patience,
understanding, energy, and especially love.
It is demanding physically, mentally,
emotionally, and spiritually. But it is also
extremely satisfying to realize you could
make a difference in someone's life; that you
are an instrument being used to further the
work of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

4. ADVENTURE CAMP
Campers have a lot of energy,
need a lot of help, and can get
homesick very easily.
JUNIOR CAMP
Campers are fun, they
understand chapel sessions and
always have something to say.
JUNIOR HIGH CAMP
Campers can be crazy, they
have a lot of emotions, and
always have questions.

5. Being a cabin leader isn't
always easy. But it is worth
every minute.

6. INVOLVED
I want my counselor to be involved in
the activities that we are doing. I want
him/her to enjoy spending time with me.
FOCUSED
I want my counselor to be focused on
me and my friends. Not focused on the
other cabin leaders.
AVAILABLE
I want my counselor to be aproachable. I
want him/her to be the kind of person
that I can go to anytime, not the person
that tells me "go and play" or "I'm too
busy right now"
INFORMED
I want my counselor to know whats
going on and know what we are doing
that day. I want them to be able to
answer my questions and show me how
to follow the rules.
CAMPER EXPECTATIONS

7. PROGRAM DIRECTOR
EXPECTATIONS
BE PREPARED
Both spiritual and physical
preperation is important.
Be well rested and ready
to give the campers 100%
of your attention.
BE A GOOD EXAMPLE
Follow the camp rules,
participate in all camp
activities, and be on time
for all events. You want to
be friendly but firm and
worthy of the campers
respect and confidence.
BE FRIENDLY
You can make or break a
childs experience at
camp. You want to be
kind, fun, and energetic.
You are their substitute
parent, friend, teacher,
and confidant.

8. HOMESICK CAMPER
Homesickness is a normal thing for campers.
Especially for the younger age groups. Be alert to
the signs of homesickness. Homesickness often
occurs at night and can be contagious.
First, try to distract the camper with conversations.
Second, try to distract the camper with an activity.
NEVER allow the camper to use the head cabin
leaders personal cell phone to call home.
ALWAYS consult the Program Director if you can
not resolve the situation and before promising
they can call home.
HOW TO HANDLE HOMESICKNESS

9. RACHEL OLLA

10. DEALING WITH BULLYING
EVALUATE
Evaluate the situation
so you understand
what seems to be
going on.
GET THE STORY
Understand both sides
of the story by talking to
them SEPERATLY.
BRING TOGETHER
Bring both sides of the
story together and let
them know the behavior is
unacceptable.
RESOLVE
If the bad behavior
continues bring it to
the Program Director.
Bullying is a very serious situation and it must be dealt with immedietly. The following
four steps demonstrate how you are to deal with this type of situtation. NEVER take
sides in an argument between campers. Your job is to help them resolve the situation

11. DISCIPLINE
PART 1
CONSULT PROGRAM DIRECTOR
INVOLVE THE CAMPER
Always discuss disciplinary measures with
the program director. Co-Cabin leaders
should discuss all disciplinary measures
with their Head Cabin Leader and follow
their direction.
The camper should be a part of the
problem and the solution. All disciplinary
measures should be administered in love.

12. DISCIPLINE
PART 2
HOW TO ENFORCE DISCIPLINE
• Discipline should not be a negative,
oppressive list of don'ts accompanied by
threats. Instead of ordering campers
around, work and play with them to
show them the routine.
• Be sure the rule is necessary and never
make a rule that will be impossible to
obey or enforce.
• Do not correct a camper in front of
others if possible and always be
consistent.

13. EDDIE DRIVER

14. BEDWETTER
When a camper has wet the bed they can be very
embarrassed. Make sure you do not make a big
deal about it in front of everyone. Do not make the
child clean up the bed.
When you are ready to clean up the mess. Alert
the housekeeper (Annie Hulka) and get a garbage
bag and plastic gloves. Fold all of the bedding
inward from the corners place it in the garbage
bag and take the bag to the laundry room for the
Housekeeper. She will return the soiled sheet
when they are clean.
CLEANING UP THE BED

15. ??????????

16. • First, always ask yourself if you
are participating. You lead best,
when you lead by example.
• Offer to participate with them.
• Try to determine why the
camper is not participating. Are
they physically unable?
• If you can not get them to
participate ask the Program
Director for help.
GETTING A
CAMPER TO
PARTICIPATE

17. SAM GALUK

18. CABIN
DEVOTIONS
Cabin devotions are put in place to allow you
the opportunity to get to know your cabin
better and give them the opportunity to
open up and learn from you and each other.

19. YOUR TESTIMONY
Sharing your personal experiences opens
the door to let them know you are an
open book and available to share your
story with them
THEME VERSE
Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with
you . . . I will uphold you with my
righteous right hand." Using the theme
verse as a topic for cabin devotions is
encouraged
ASK QUESTIONS
Having your campers write down
questions that you can answer through
out the week also helps them get
involved and stay more focused
CABIN NAME
Every cabin at camp is named after a
specific person in the Bible. Your campers
may find it fun to learn about the person
their cabin was named after and why.

20. JOE ADDISU

21. OUR PROBLEM
Being at peace with God is not
automatic. By nature, we are all
separated from Him. (Romans 3:23)
God is holy, but we are human and
don’t measure up to His perfect
standard. (Romans 6:23)
GOD'S PLAN
God loves you and wants you to experience
the peace and life He offers. (John 3:16)
He has a plan for you!
SHARING THE GOSPEL PART 1

22. OUR RESPONSE
You cross the bridge into God’s
family when you accept Christ’s
free gift of salvation. (John 1:12)
GOD'S REMEDY
God’s love bridges the gap of
separation between you and Him.
When Jesus Christ died on the
cross and rose from the grave, He
paid the penalty for your
sins. (1 Peter 2:24)
SHARING THE GOSPEL PART 2

23. JOE ADDISU

24. WHY DO WE SHARE OUR
TESTIMONY?
God tells us to share
our stories
It removes fear and
gives courage
It glorifies God It can be an
encouragement to
others

25. SAM GALUK