Camp Scenarios

For each of the scenarios below, discuss and record:

What goal is being sought through misbehavior?

What expectation, environment, or intervention could be put into place
to prevent the problem from occurring?

What are two possible solutions for each?

Scenario #1

A cabin group entered the assembly hall for evening program. The
program director asked them to be seated on the floor. The counselor seated
them efficiently, and then sat to the side of her group on a chair.
During the program, the counselor became increasingly frustrated
because her campers “won’t sit down.”
Leaving the hall after the program, this counselor remarked to another, “I
hate when the kids can’t sit in chairs; they become so restless!”

Scenario #2

In Arts and Crafts, Amy the crafts director demonstrated how to weave
bracelets. She then passed out yellow and black yarn to Daniella’s campers.
“Can’t I use red and blue instead?” asked one camper.
“No. We’re all using whatever is cut,” replied the crafts director.
“Do you have some white and green? Those are my high school colors,”
said Daniella.
“Sure. On the back shelf. Help yourself,” replied Amy.

Scenario #3

“Right, then. We’re all set to go,” said Colin. “Who would like to carry
my clipboard?” The campers began to argue about whose turn it was. Finally,
an exasperated Colin shouted, “Forget it! I’ll carry it myself. Why can’t you
guys get along?”
Scenario #4

Counselor: Okay, guys! Clean up the cabin.

(Campers jump up to start. The counselor goes into his room and turns on
the stereo. A half hour later the counselor emerges).
Counselor: I thought I told you guys to clean up!
Campers (with sincerity): But we did!

Scenario #5

The cabin was trying to get a skit together for Skit Night. After many
frustrating attempts, the counselor announced, “Guys, this is too confusing.
Why don’t we just have Ronald and Malcolm do that funny ventriloquist act?”
The campers began to complain. The counselor shouted, “You guys are
being a bunch of babies!”
“Yeah!” yelled Ronald. “Why don’t you go cry to your mamas!?”

Scenario #6

The Chief Counselor distributed schedules. “Okay,” he announced, “this

is your time off schedule and your rotation schedule for program areas. You’ll
notice that I assigned everyone equally. Any questions?”
“Yeah. Why can’t we just work this out with our co-counselor?” asked
Raquel. “I know Brianna doesn’t want to go to the Farm, and I sure don’t want
to go to Athletics.”
“You know, it took me a long time to work this out,” replied the Chief
Counselor defensively.
“It probably did. It looks like a lot of work. But maybe Brianna and I can
switch those two…”
“Do you think you’re setting a good example for your campers if you
won’t go to Athletics?”
“Well, first of all, I’m not a camper,” replied Raquel, growing equally
impatient. “And second of all, I have gone to Athletics all summer. I just
thought that maybe…”
“Look, if you don’t want to do the job you’ve been assigned, then maybe
you shouldn’t be here.”