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A Saturday Outdoor Ed Camp

By Thomas J. Lippert, Graduate Western Illinois University

A Saturday Day Camp program can be one of outdoor education and fun in a relaxed setting. The program can operate fall, winter, and spring of each year. It should be of concern that each child completely enjoy himself, and that at the end of the experience feel a definite sadness that his enjoyment is temporarily coming to an end. Objectives should be established right from the beginning, with the idea that learning takes place most effectively through direct experience. The following is an example list and one on which it is hoped each camp leader will expand. Purposely, it is made general so that the camp leader's individual creativity and enthusiasm will show through:

• to create an atmosphere where the children can freely express themselves;
• to arouse the children's interest, curiosity, and respect for nature;
• to make the experience interesting, eaningful and varied;
• to have fun.

The goal for the end of the day is a total camp full of activity-weary, smiling faces—faces which reflect the enjoyment to be had in our wooded parks.

A camp program such as this could take place in a neighborhood park, but ideally in a fairly large-sized park. The American Camping Association recommends one child per acre, which is something you should keep in mind. It might be wise to check into the availability of nearby forest preserve, county, or state parks, if your agency lacks an available site. Don't count out any of your park facilities for this program, but always keep in mind weather conditions during the camp's operation. Is a building with running water and restroom facilities available for an overnight, if so desired? Consider staff ratio to children; how many children in the program?

On the subject of staff personnel, one must consider the vital role of camp director. The director must not only have had the experience working with children, but have knowledge about coordinating the staff around him. He is the man who should make things go—all functions and procedures are his responsibility. He should have an appreciation and understanding of the out-of-doors.

Your staff is what either "makes or breaks you," so the camp director must be familiar with what makes a good camp staff. In hiring the staff, a camp director should look for a person with outdoor experience, and much enthusiasm. The camp director should seek a person who feels comfortable working with other people, especially small children. With what age group does the camp director want certain members of his staff to work? With whom would they feel most comfortable in working?

Make sure the overall staff realizes the job qualifications, guidelines, and objectives drawn up by the organization or agency.

Ask possible staff members what their objectives and goals are in seeking a particular camp position. After the hiring of a staff is completed, the staff should learn about the basic camp program and understand the rules and regulations that go with the job.

In programming for a day camp one should not mix age groups of children who are too far apart in age, although the grouping of fifth and sixth graders has usually worked out because they are fairly close in age. Another aspect one should consider is the scheduling of hours on Saturday. Know the family schedules of your community and program accordingly.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 26 January/February, 1978

Campers should be kept away from "classroom" situations. Get them into the outdoors for a unique and varied experience. Mix the outdoor education and recreational activities together.It's essential that you and the camp director "elevate" your program all the time. Offer new experiences for children who come back year after year, avoiding repetition. A four-week session seems to be ideal, but an eight-week session could even be better with proper planning.

A system of feedback is both necessary and helpful in running a successful program. Attendance should be checked day-to-day. If it fluctuates, find out why. The development of a reporting system is a necessity, such as in the case of accidents, which brings to point the subject of safety. Are the activities involved in the program safe for campers? It's essential that the area, facilities, and equipment are safe.

Another very important aspect of conducting a camp program is the planning. Sessions should be planned in advance and should be subject to change. Always expect the unexpected, such as the case of rainy or snowy days.

The campers should be informed of what they will be doing so they can come adequately prepared and have something to look forward to.

Before and after sessions, the staff should meet and discuss their ideas on what is good and what might be changed.

The desired end result is what the child gets out of this experience. Has he acquired an appreciation for his environment which he may not have had before?

The utilization of media in your community is essential. Brochures to schools, newsletters, and radio are ideal, but so is word of mouth by past participants of the program.

To keep overall costs down, start out with a small number of children in your first year. Expand according to the camp's staff experiences of previous sessions.

When budgeting for this program, stay away from costly supplies and equipment the first year. Get the bare necessities and know how many Saturdays you're operating, so you'll at least have enough supplies. In figuring personnel into budgeting, consider utilizing the high school students as assistant leaders. They can relate well to children, but their authority should be limited.

If the budget is tight, seek volunteer workers. Operate the Saturday Day Camp program on a self-supporting basis. For the underprivileged child who can't afford the registration fee, seek "campership money." These scholarships could be sponsored by such special interest groups as the Chamber of Commerce, Boys' Club and the YMCA/YWCA. Have campers bring supplies from home, such as food and certain supplies for possible arts and crafts projects.

For transportation to the campsite you are faced with the options of bussing the campers, or having the parents drop them off at the campsite. Campers can be picked up at various locations such as a local school or park. You must take into consideration how far campers are willing to walk or if parents will drive to strategic places. Remember age of the child here, too.

In the area of insurance, one should check into several possible solutions. Maybe school insurance, or the camper's own family insurance would be available. Your park agency's insurance could cover it, with costs figured into the registration fee.

Concluding, nature is an easy topic to teach when you can do it where she is—outdoors. Children are curious and hungry for nature information and first-hand experiences outdoors.

This seems like hard work, sure, but it is also a lot of fun and rewarding when the campers' smiling faces at the end of the day express their enjoyment and fulfillment.

INTERIOR APPROVES GRANT TO CREATE FOREST PRESERVE NEAR JOLIET

Secretary of the Interior Cecil D. Andrus has announced approval of a $1,397,855 Land and Water Conservation Fund (L&WCF) grant to the State of Illinois to assist the Will County Forest Preserve District in acquiring 438 acres of land for a new forest preserve. The Federal grant will be matched by the district and the State for a total recreation investment of $2,795,710.

The project, known as the Hickory Creek Preserve, is located between Mokena and Frankfort, approximately 12 miles east of Joliet. The preserve will be used for picnicking, camping, nature study, and children's play. Residents of Will Counry, as well as the southern metropolitan area of Chicago, will be the primary users of the new forest preserve.

This grant brings Land and Water Conservation Fund assistance to Illinois to more than $58 million for the life of the 12-year old program. The money has been matched by the State and local governments, thus making possible over $116 million in recreation investments in this one State alone. At the State level, the L&WCF program is administered in Illinois by the State Department of Conservation.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 27 January/February, 1978