PD- Program Design and Activity

• ckPD-1: Division of Campers: Campers should be divided into groups by age and/or gender.
  • This is a guideline for times when campers need to be divided into groups.
  • Number of campers in each group is dependent on the ages and genders of campers signed up for camp.

• ckPD-2: Cabin Groups:  Campers must be divided into cabin groups by gender.
  • A cabin group is a group of campers of the same gender that sleep in the same building/tent together.  They spend time together during the day when in cabin time and cabin chat.
  • Number of campers per cabin is dependent on each site.

• ckPD-3: Unit Groups: Camps must divide campers into unit groups.
  • Unit groups are a way to divide the campers based on age.  Campers are in coed unit groups when they go to rotations and other times during the day.
  • This is dependent on the campsite as well as the number of ages of campers signed up for camp.

• ckPD-4: One-To-One Interaction:
  • Staff members must never be alone with a camper.  Staff should make sure that they are always in a public area near other staff members or campers.  This includes all professional staff.

• ckPD-5: Rest Time: Camps must hold rest time each day that lasts at least one hour.  At this time, campers should be required to remain in the cabins and keep themselves occupied quietly.  They may read, write letters, play quiet games, or sleep.  Camps are encouraged to schedule rest time during a warmer time of the day, usually after lunch.

• ckPD-6: Aquatic Safety:  Drowning deaths are a serious and persistent problem in the U.S.  Camps must follow the following procedures at the designated swimming area:
  • Lifeguards must be certified by a nationally recognized provider.  Campuses should check with facilities to ensure their lifeguards’ certifications are up to date.
  • All aquatic activities require a minimum of two lifeguards.  A ratio of one lifeguard for every 25 campers must be maintained at all times while swimming.
  • Lifeguards and staff must scan the water in a consistent pattern, covering their entire zone every 10 seconds.  Camp Kesem staff should ensure that lifeguards are effectively scanning
  • Lifeguards must be either standing or in a lifeguard chair.  Flexible Plastic Chairs are not an acceptable lifeguard chair.
  • If swimming occurs in brown water a buddy system must be implemented and consistently used.
  • All Counselors must either be in the pool/lake and engaged with campers, or standing on the side watching the water.

• ckPD-7: Certifications: Certain activities may need to have certified individuals to lead them.  Camps may need lifeguards, waterfront certified staff, high ropes certified staff, or archery staff.  Some campsites may provide staff for the Camp Kesem camps to use.  This should be planned out before camp occurs.
  • If a campsite does not provide their own certified lifeguards or certified supervisors for camp activities, Camp Kesem staff may supervise these activities if they are properly certified.  These certifications must be up to date and sent to a National Program Director before camp.

• ckPD-8: Cabin Chat: Camp Kesem camps must provide the campers with a cabin chat each night of camp.

• ckPD-9: Empowerment Program: Camp Kesem camps must offer a program that has a more serious tone and focuses on camp as a support network.
  • The empowerment program must be approved ahead of time by a National Program Director.

• ckPD-10: Opening/Closing Day Activities: Campuses need to have a highly-organized check-in and closing day, and have activities planned for both days.  Opening and closing day schedules must be submitted to a National Program Director for approval. Opening and closing day procedures may happen either at the campsite or at the drop-off/pick-up location.
  • See Opening Day Check-In Polices and Notes in the manual.

• ckPD-11: Administration Team: All camps must have individuals designated to be the Administration staff members at camp.
  • See Manual for more information about staff structure.

• ckPD-12:  Nametags: All campers, counselors, and staff must be provided with a nametag that they are required to wear at all times during the week of camp.

• ckPD-13: Reunions: Each Camp Kesem chapter may choose to hold reunions for the camper families and counselors twice a year.  These are planned opportunities, by the chapter, for camper families and counselors to enjoy camp-like programming in the fall and spring.

• ckPD-14: Overnight: If the camp program decides to have an overnight for the teen unit, following guidelines must be followed:
  • The details of each camp’s trip must be approved in advance by a National Program Director.
  • The overnight should last no more than 3 days and two nights.
  • The path or area of the hike should be scouted and mapped out in advance of camp.
  • Programming should include elements of outdoor camping and survival with elements of teambuilding exercises.
  • All teen unit staff must accompany the campers on the hike.
  • Staff must maintain a working form of communication with the main camp.
  • The nurse will prepare the teen unit staff with first aid equipment and all medications for the campers; all meds must be administered by nurse or teen unit leader.
  • All trips must have a Wilderness First Aid certified supervisor, an EMT, or a nurse present.
  • During sleeping hours, staff must rotate, with at least one person “keeping watch” to ensure that all campers are in their tents and asleep.

• ckPD-15:  Counselor in Training Program:  Please speak with the Program Director for further direction to implement a Counselor in Training program.  The chapter must receive approval from the Program Director in order to have a CIT program.