Top Five All Time BLOGS - The End of Summer 2024 Issue

 

Castle Rock trail head
from Big Bear Blvd. near Big Bear Lake California

As many of you know, I have said summer is about beginnings and endings. I stole that of course from a life long friend, Brain Crater, who was a great influence in my camp career.

For over a dozen summers, summers began at Castle Rock in Southern California and ended at Castle Rock. (I have written about that before.)

This summer (2024) I got to spend serving with Camp Get-A-Way in a advisory capacity. My role as Camp Director is to help develop best practices, training, and most importantly, apply my 40 plus years of experience to the needs of this great program for families with children who have mental health challenges.

As I look at serving these famileis through that lens, I can't help but apply the lessons from my previous BLOGs and a life time of learning in my capacity as a Youth Development Profesional.

Here are the Top Five most read BLOGs from alferreira coaching. All happen to be from my series of Fifty Nifty Years in the United States (that celebrated my life and journey as an immigrant to the United States.

5) 2010 - Leadership Curriculum and A Copy of a Fax of a Copy of A Fax of a co... A lesson on "traditions" and empowering others from my BLOG on Fifty Nifty Years in the Unites States.

4) 1980 - Thank a Teacher for A Pile of Leadership Lessons A early lesson in Leadership and Mind Set and from the Fifty Nifty Years in the Unites States series.

3) 2012 - What Gift Is This Person Giving Me? A lesson on how negativity or gate keepers impact the role of the leader and how altering your mindset changes their gift. An entry from my Fifty Nifty Years in the United States.

2) 1986 - Wally Vision (and Leadership) Another entry from the Fifty Nifty Years in the United States and how impactful vision (a learned skill) can serve others.

1)  1985 - Leadership Lessons from the "Real Thing From my series on Fifty Nifty Years in the United States about Bill Gagliardi's influence on my life as a leader.

I hope you all had a great summer and learned lessons that served you (and others) well.

Castle Rock view at sunset.

Here is a version of the story of Castle Rockyou may have heard as a camper attending Camp Bluff Lake. (From KBHR News on Big Bear Lake, CA, May 3, 2014)

"The Legend of Castle Rock - Rising out of the mountains at the southwest end of the lake, standing like a sentinel keeping watch over Big Bear, is Castle Rock. There is a Serrano Indian legend that surrounds Castle Rock from a time long ago when Big Bear was known as Yuhaviat, which means ‘pine place’.

The legend tells of a beautiful young girl named Wyhnemah who once lived in Yuhaviat. All the young men of the tribe were constantly competing with each other for her attention, but she only cared for one young brave named Pahwek. He was a hunter and whenever he was gone on hunting trips to get food for the tribe, Wyhnemah would climb to the top of Castle Rock and watch for his return.When she would see him in the distance, she would climb down and run to meet him.

On one such trip, Pahwek did not return when he was supposed to. As the days and weeks went by, Wyhnemah came to realize that something was terribly wrong and that he would never be coming home. Not wanting to live her life without her true love, she climbed to the top of Castle Rock one evening and with a prayer on her lips, Wyhnemah stepped off the edge to join Pahwek forever in the happy hunting ground."

Summer Staff Questions - Good Leaders Ask Great Questions Series (10 of 10)

     

Good Leaders Ask Great Questions

Inspired by E.J. Lugo

This is our last week this summer, I'll be posting several questions that you should consider asking our staff team at Summer Camp.

These questions can help camp directors and supervisors assess the engagement levels of their staff, providing insights that can be used to enhance the overall camp experience for both staff and campers.

BACKGROUND: I spent several months in research and consultation with human resource professionals as well as the most common questions that monitor team engagement, establish connection with team, and help improve team engagement with your campers. They can lead to thoughtful conversations about summer goals and aspirations, setting priorities, and developing new ideas as well as skill enhancement.

Remember, all questions are like Ogres. Okay, if you don't get the reference, but here is the video link. Questions or layered and you can dig deep or go in a deep dive in a discussion.

The questions are organized into three categories. Chose to use one or all three. Just make sure that your team members know that they are going to be asked.

1) Camper Engagement Questions - designed to make sure that your team member is engaging with their campers.

2) Personal Development Question - designed to "check in" and connect with a team member.

3) Overall Check In Question

 

THE 10th or FINAL SET OF QUESTIONS ARE

Engaging summer camp staff is crucial for a successful camp experience. Here is the tenth set or 10 of 10 questions designed to determine the engagement levels of summer camp staff:

1) How do you encourage campers to try new things and overcome reluctance. What are you doing this week, that you have not tried previously? What did you learn this summer that you are now doing as a life practice?

2) As you approach the end of our time together, what’s one thing you learned that you felt supported you the most from the staff training/orientation week?

3) Have any of your goals changed since the beginning of summer? What is a lasting memory (from the summer) that brings you joy?

 

I hope you have enjoyed these questions and will consider coming back for my next series on interview questions.

You can sign up for a daily dose of John at: Minute With Maxwell

I am on www.buymeacoffee.com If you like the BLOG, please consider buying me a coffee today.

Follow me here or at:

Facebook Page for daily "Today's Essential Thoughts" https://www.facebook.com/alferreiracoach 

 

Summer Staff Questions - Good Leaders Ask Great Questions Series (9 of 10)

     

Good Leaders Ask Great Questions

Inspired by E.J. Lugo

This is our 9th week this summer, I'll be posting several questions that you should consider asking our staff team at Summer Camp.

These questions can help camp directors and supervisors assess the engagement levels of their staff, providing insights that can be used to enhance the overall camp experience for both staff and campers.

BACKGROUND: I spent several months in research and consultation with human resource professionals as well as the most common questions that monitor team engagement, establish connection with team, and help improve team engagement with your campers. They can lead to thoughtful conversations about summer goals and aspirations, setting priorities, and developing new ideas as well as skill enhancement.

Remember, all questions are like Ogres. Okay, if you don't get the reference, but here is the video link. Questions or layered and you can dig deep or go in a deep dive in a discussion.

The questions are organized into three categories. Chose to use one or all three. Just make sure that your team members know that they are going to be asked.

1) Camper Engagement Questions - designed to make sure that your team member is engaging with their campers.

2) Personal Development Question - designed to "check in" and connect with a team member.

3) Overall Check In Question

 

THE 9th SET OF QUESTIONS ARE

Engaging summer camp staff is crucial for a successful camp experience. Here is the ninth set or 9 of 10 questions designed to determine the engagement levels of summer camp staff:

1) Tell me who you are happy to see go home and why? Tell me who you would like to have back next year and why?

2) Give me an example of how well did we create community this summer? Any suggestions on what else we can do?

3) Are there any tools or resources that you think you could benefit from that could help you be more productive?

 

Have another great week and check back for our last set of questions.

You can sign up for a daily dose of John at: Minute With Maxwell

I am on www.buymeacoffee.com If you like the BLOG, please consider buying me a coffee today.

Follow me here or at:

Facebook Page for daily "Today's Essential Thoughts" https://www.facebook.com/alferreiracoach 

 

Summer Staff Questions - Good Leaders Ask Great Questions Series (8 of 10)

     

Good Leaders Ask Great Questions

Inspired by E.J. Lugo

This is our 8th week this summer, I'll be posting several questions that you should consider asking our staff team at Summer Camp.

These questions can help camp directors and supervisors assess the engagement levels of their staff, providing insights that can be used to enhance the overall camp experience for both staff and campers.

BACKGROUND: I spent several months in research and consultation with human resource professionals as well as the most common questions that monitor team engagement, establish connection with team, and help improve team engagement with your campers. They can lead to thoughtful conversations about summer goals and aspirations, setting priorities, and developing new ideas as well as skill enhancement.

Remember, all questions are like Ogres. Okay, if you don't get the reference, but here is the video link. Questions or layered and you can dig deep or go in a deep dive in a discussion.

The questions are organized into three categories. Chose to use one or all three. Just make sure that your team members know that they are going to be asked.

1) Camper Engagement Questions - designed to make sure that your team member is engaging with their campers.

2) Personal Development Question - designed to "check in" and connect with a team member.

3) Overall Check In Question

 

THE 8th SET OF QUESTIONS ARE

Engaging summer camp staff is crucial for a successful camp experience. Here is the eighth set or 8 of 10 questions designed to determine the engagement levels of summer camp staff:

1) How comfortable are you with awkwardness and tension (discomfort) within your group? What works to break tension? OR Are any behavioral issues causing tension in your cabin/activity group?

2) I recall that you said the following (answer to question from week one): How has that been realized or not? Give me three highlights from you summer experience?

3) What are your goals for the rest of the camp season? (Setting and striving for goals indicates a proactive and engaged mindset.)

 

Have a fantastic week and check back for the next set of questions.

You can sign up for a daily dose of John at: Minute With Maxwell

I am on www.buymeacoffee.com If you like the BLOG, please consider buying me a coffee today.

Follow me here or at:

Facebook Page for daily "Today's Essential Thoughts" https://www.facebook.com/alferreiracoach 

 

Summer Staff Questions - Good Leaders Ask Great Questions Series (7 of 10)

    

Good Leaders Ask Great Questions

Inspired by E.J. Lugo

This is our 7th week this summer, I'll be posting several questions that you should consider asking our staff team at Summer Camp.

These questions can help camp directors and supervisors assess the engagement levels of their staff, providing insights that can be used to enhance the overall camp experience for both staff and campers.

BACKGROUND: I spent several months in research and consultation with human resource professionals as well as the most common questions that monitor team engagement, establish connection with team, and help improve team engagement with your campers. They can lead to thoughtful conversations about summer goals and aspirations, setting priorities, and developing new ideas as well as skill enhancement.

Remember, all questions are like Ogres. Okay, if you don't get the reference, but here is the video link. Questions or layered and you can dig deep or go in a deep dive in a discussion.

The questions are organized into three categories. Chose to use one or all three. Just make sure that your team members know that they are going to be asked.

1) Camper Engagement Questions - designed to make sure that your team member is engaging with their campers.

2) Personal Development Question - designed to "check in" and connect with a team member.

3) Overall Check In Question

 

7th IN THE SERIES OF 10 QUESTIONS ARE

Engaging summer camp staff is crucial for a successful camp experience. Here is the seventh set or 7 of 10 questions designed to determine the engagement levels of summer camp staff:

1) Who is most likely to reach out when someone is withdrawing? (When something is not right for a camper, who - other camper - is most likely…)

2) What would you like to see different with the staff arrangement (leadership, training, etc.)? Who on the staff has been most helpful for you?

3) Do you feel your work is recognized and appreciated? How so? (Feeling valued and appreciated is a key factor in employee engagement.)

 

Have another great week and check back for the 8th set of questions.

You can sign up for a daily dose of John at: Minute With Maxwell

I am on www.buymeacoffee.com If you like the BLOG, please consider buying me a coffee today.

Follow me here or at:

Facebook Page for daily "Today's Essential Thoughts" https://www.facebook.com/alferreiracoach 

 

Summer Staff Questions - Good Leaders Ask Great Questions Series (6 of 10)

   

Good Leaders Ask Great Questions

Inspired by E.J. Lugo

This is our 6th week this summer, I'll be posting several questions that you should consider asking our staff team at Summer Camp.

These questions can help camp directors and supervisors assess the engagement levels of their staff, providing insights that can be used to enhance the overall camp experience for both staff and campers.

BACKGROUND: I spent several months in research and consultation with human resource professionals as well as the most common questions that monitor team engagement, establish connection with team, and help improve team engagement with your campers. They can lead to thoughtful conversations about summer goals and aspirations, setting priorities, and developing new ideas as well as skill enhancement.

Remember, all questions are like Ogres. Okay, if you don't get the reference, but here is the video link. Questions or layered and you can dig deep or go in a deep dive in a discussion.

The questions are organized into three categories. Chose to use one or all three. Just make sure that your team members know that they are going to be asked.

1) Camper Engagement Questions - designed to make sure that your team member is engaging with their campers.

2) Personal Development Question - designed to "check in" and connect with a team member.

3) Overall Check In Question

 

THE 6th SET OF QUESTIONS ARE

Engaging summer camp staff is crucial for a successful camp experience. Here is the sixth set or 6 of 10 questions designed to determine the engagement levels of summer camp staff:

1) How have you acknowledged and affirmed positive interactions in your cabin/activity area? (101 ways to praise a child…)

2) We’re halfway through, what’s keeping you to stay? (Camp can be difficult and seeking out why folks are motivated by is integral to motivation ad engagement)

3) How connected do you feel to your fellow staff members and campers? (Engagement often correlates with a strong sense of community and connection with others at the camp.)

 

Have another great week and check back for the next set of questions.

You can sign up for a daily dose of John at: Minute With Maxwell

I’m on www.buymeacoffee.com. If you like my work, you can buy me a coffee and share your thoughts. #servantleader #youthdevelopment #servantleadership #alfcoaching

Follow me here or at:

Facebook Page for daily "Today's Essential Thoughts" https://www.facebook.com/alferreiracoach 

 

Summer Staff Questions - Good Leaders Ask Great Questions Series (5 of 10)

  

Good Leaders Ask Great Questions

Inspired by E.J. Lugo

This is our 5th week this summer, I'll be posting several questions that you should consider asking our staff team at Summer Camp.

These questions can help camp directors and supervisors assess the engagement levels of their staff, providing insights that can be used to enhance the overall camp experience for both staff and campers.

BACKGROUND: I spent several months in research and consultation with human resource professionals as well as the most common questions that monitor team engagement, establish connection with team, and help improve team engagement with your campers. They can lead to thoughtful conversations about summer goals and aspirations, setting priorities, and developing new ideas as well as skill enhancement.

Remember, all questions are like Ogres. Okay, if you don't get the reference, but here is the video link. Questions or layered and you can dig deep or go in a deep dive in a discussion.

The questions are organized into three categories. Chose to use one or all three. Just make sure that your team members know that they are going to be asked.

1) Camper Engagement Questions - designed to make sure that your team member is engaging with their campers.

2) Personal Development Question - designed to "check in" and connect with a team member.

3) Overall Check In Question

 

5th IN THE SERIES QUESTIONS ARE

Engaging summer camp staff is crucial for a successful camp experience. Here is the fifth set or 5 of 10 questions designed to determine the engagement levels of summer camp staff:

1) How has the spirit of camp light up in each child? (Caring, compassion, kindness, or other mushy value that is part of your vision and mission)

2) Is there something you sense you need that you are not getting? (support, sleep, items) When your personal issues get triggered, who or what helps? How do you ask for help?

3) What do you find most rewarding about your job? (Identifying what they find rewarding can help gauge what aspects of the job they are most passionate about.}

 

At the half way point of summer. Have a great session.

Check back next week for the next set of questions.

You can sign up for a daily dose of John at: Minute With Maxwell 

I’m on www.buymeacoffee. If you like my work, you can buy me a coffee and share your thoughts. #servantleader #youthdevelopment #servantleadership #alfcoaching

Follow me here or at:

Facebook Page for daily "Today's Essential Thoughts" https://www.facebook.com/alferreiracoach