http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOzfQ886xzw

The video is hosted by Dr. Chris Thurber.

Chris is a board-certified clinical psychologist, author, consultant, and father. A graduate of Harvard University, Chris co-founded ExpertOnlineTraining.com, a revolutionary set of web-based educational tools for camp staff and health care professionals. He also co-authored the best-selling “Summer Camp Handbook.” Chris is widely published in the academic and popular press and has more than 30 years of camp experience. For more information about Chris visit www.campspirit.com

Here are some of the cool things I get to do when it is not summer:

1) Plan for summer
I get to go through all of our programming and decide what stays and what doesn’t, what supplies we need, change up the schedule, decide on the themes - I basically get to be a really cool party planner!

2) Interview and hire the best staff
I am lucky enough to meet some of the most amazing people from all over the world. It usually starts through an email or a phone call, and if we can arrange it, I get to take the person to lunch or coffee and get to find out what makes them them. If it is a potential new staff member, I will have them visit camp and give them the tour. I spend a lot of time on the phone talking with their references and learning more about them. This all takes between two to six weeks to complete, that’s why it is best to get your application in early!

3) Camper Recruitment/ Retention
I travel all around the Southeast visiting with camp families and helping them host Hometown Rallies. Kids love to share camp with their friends and these visits make it possible! I also am able to blog, Twitter, and Facebook (and it is all part of my job!) to keep everyone up-to-date with camp happenings. I also talk with camp families about improvements, changes, and what is going great - hopefully, I’ll call and get to talk with your family this spring (feel free to email or call me with those things too). I also attend camp fairs, visit schools, host our Open Houses - keep coming back for more info on those!

4) Facilities and Grounds Improvement
Camp gets used by thousands of people each year and didn’t really get a break! Well this year, from January through mid-April, we have rearranged our Outdoor Environmental Education and Group Camping schedules to allow this to happen. So what does that look like?!

Shawnee’s new showers

Shawnee and Natchez (the red Pathfinder cabins) have had their bathrooms completely demolished and are currently being rebuilt. The roadfront cabins (beginning with Seminole/Comanche) are having the bathrooms repainted and the showers tiled!

5) Working with Volunteers
During the summer, my primary focus is our campers, staff, and camp families. So our wonderful world of volunteers does not get to see all of the staff that much (if at all!). Right now, I am getting to work with our Board of Management on our Strong Kids Campaign. Check our note on this! One of the other amazing things our volunteers do is help us get camp ready for summer. Our volunteers include alumni, camp families, Board members, and others in the community that love camp! This spring we will have a Cosby Cleanup (March 27th) during which we will focus on Adventure Village.

I hope this begins to answer that question! Let me know if you want to know more.

In the Cosby Spirit,

Sabrina McClain
Program Director

1-800-85-COSBY
smcclain@campcosby.org
Follow camp on Twitter: @CampCosby and @CosbyCITs

On Facebook: www.facebook.com/CampCosby

Host a Hometown Rally!

What is that, you’re wondering?! Perfect, because we have the answers!

A Hometown Rally is a joint effort between a camp family (new or returning) and Cosby staff to help tell new potential camp families about Camp.

Usually hosted at a home (or church, community center, country clubhouse), a Hometown Rally can be held anytime of day. Many are held in early evening later in the week.

A Cosby representative attends to give a presentation and answer any questions. Rallies are very informal,and Camp Cosby does provide snacks (fruit and veggies trays, dip, cookies).

So, what do you have to do?

Set a date and place, invite people, and provide drinks to go along with the snacks!

Many Hometown Rallies are only the parents (some families have gotten together and hired babysitters or their older children to watch the all of the younger children). This way Mom or Mom and Dad can have all of their questions answered! The Camp representative will stay until the very last question is answered.

However, if the families decide to have the children attend, we will bring our some of our camp DVD’s from previous sessions for them to watch. This can occur while the parents’ Q&A is happening!

With everything the hostess (or host) does to help spread the word about Cosby, we love to show our gratitude to them! Incentives range from a free store fee all the way up to a free week of camp.

Have more questions? Want to set up a Rally?
Call the camp office (1-800-85-COSBY) or email (smcclain@campcosby.org)

Hope to come visit you soon!

Come to Christmas Camp!

This year’s Christmas Camp will be held December 18-20.  Visit with old camp friends, see favorite counselors, and be able to play on many of the camp activities.  Mini-bikes, Alpine Tower, Arts & Crafts, and many more activities will be open.  Of course, we will also have the Annual Golf Tournament for staff and campers!

This is also the perfect time for anyone that is thinking about summer camp to get a taste of Camp Cosby! Check-in is 6 PM Friday night and check-out is 1 PM Sunday afternoon.  A buffet dinner is provided Friday night.

Please call Wanda in the office for more information or to register (1-800-85-COSBY or 256-268-2007) .

October 20 & 21, 2009

I will be on the Great Plains recruiting staff and interviewing applicants for Summer 2010

Please email me at smcclain@campcosby.org to set up a meeting - even if you just would like questions answered I would love to meet with you!

See you in Auburn!

All YMCA Camp Cosby staff are required to attend Staff Training May 29 – June 4, 2010, along with completing on-line training courses before those dates.   

All Program Staff are also required to attend the Program Staff Retreat February 19 - 21, 2010 and Program Staff Training May 24 – 26, 2010.

For more information on these positions, contact Sabrina McClain at smcclain@campcosby.org or call 800-85 COSBY ext 307.

Counselors – (18 years old) Position involves full responsibility in working with a cabin of up to 15 children (ages 6-8; 9-10; or 11-12) and working in an activity area.  Counselors will be trained in debriefing, positively handling consequences, being a mentor, and dealing with specific camper issues.  Applicants should have an empathic personality, strong role modeling skills, and a positive outlook on situations; lifeguard, CPR, First Aid and other certifications a plus.

Senior Counselors – (at least 19 years old) Position involves leading a cabin of children and working in an activity area. Senior Counselors are responsible for the Counselor and Jr. Counselor in the cabin. Staff will be trained in debriefing, positively handling consequences, being a mentor, and dealing with specific camper issues.  Applicants should have an empathic personality, a desire to learn from experiences, strong role modeling skills, and a positive outlook on situations; lifeguard, CPR, First Aid and other certifications a plus.

Adventure Village Counselors – (at least 19 years old) Responsible for the day-to-day programming and supervision of the 13-15 year old campers at the Point.  Counselors will be assigned either Leadership or Outdoor Track responsibilities on a rotating schedule.  Leadership Track counselors will lead teambuilding, high and low rope courses, and camp service projects. Outdoor Track Counselors will assist the Climbing/ Caving Director in rock climbing, caving, canoeing, bouldering, and teaching outdoor skills to the campers.  During their time at camp, ADV counselors will be in charge of a cabin of up to 10 campers and will work an activity area. Staff will be trained in debriefing, positively handling consequences, being a mentor, and dealing with specific camper issues.  Applicants should have an empathic personality, a desire to learn from experiences, an emotionally mature mindset, strong role modeling skills, and a positive outlook on situations; lifeguard, CPR, First Aid and other certifications a plus. Applicants must also have previous camp experience; experience in teambuilding, rock climbing, low and high ropes courses, hiking, canoeing, caving, and related activities is a plus.

Expedition Instructors – (21+ preferred) At least one male and one female instructor who are responsible for the safe implementation of the Cosby Expedition Program and Adventure Village Outdoor Track trip. Expeditions and Outdoor Track will travel all over Central and Northern Alabama. Expedition Program includes whitewater kayaking, rock climbing, caving, backpacking, hiking, and canoeing. Outdoor Track consists of day trips  climbing, hiking, or caving. Instructors must have strong backgrounds in at least 3 of the program areas (with at least one of the instructors be a competent Class IV kayaker). First Aid, CPR, and Lifeguard certifications are required, while Wilderness First Responder is preferred. Must have the ability to be YMCA Driver Certified; must 21 years old, have a clean driving record within the past 36 months, and pass a YMCA Vehicle Training class. Other duties include staff management on Outdoor Track trips, debriefing of trips with instructors and participants, recruiting campers, and organization of all trip documents. Ideal candidates will have demonstrated experience in top-rope and lead climbing, documented caving experience, appropriate rescue/site management, strong organizational skills, and an understanding of Leave No Trace ethics . Preferred applicants will also have experience in a camp setting, working with teens, and teaching the stated programs.

For more information on these positions, contact Sabrina McClain at smcclain@campcosby.org or call 800-85 COSBY ext 307

Work together to make a difference for young people

Adults expect a lot of young people: to learn to treat people fairly and with kindness, act responsibly, get good grades, and become successful. Of course, young people can’t learn everything they need to reach their goals without help from parents and other caring adults. Adults also expect a lot of themselves. Consistently modeling appropriate behavior, teaching values, and at the same time, striving for your own goals, can be challenging. That’s why it’s important to work together. If you know a parent with a troubled teenager or a teacher with a failing student, ask them how you can help. If you are having difficulty connecting with a young person, be sure to ask for the help you need. Sometimes there are concrete things people can do to help; other times listening is all that’s needed. Search Institute’s framework of 40 Developmental Assets is meant to help guide young people—as well as adults—to a healthy, happy, thriving life.

Ask others to help

You are not alone. Raising young people takes a group effort and everyone—parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, friends, clergy, coaches—play an important role. There are people, places, and resources everyone can turn to when help is needed to support young people.

Offer help to others

Families, communities, and schools need support. Even if you’re not a parent, you can support young people and their families. Lending an ear at the end of a long day can make a big difference in the life of a frazzled parent. Offer to baby-sit or take a young person on an outing so parents can rest and rejuvenate. Not only will you be helping parents do their jobs better, you’ll also be helping their children grow and develop in new ways.

Also try this

In your home and family: Be easy on yourself—and others! Tell yourself and your spouse, significant other, peers, colleagues, and staff what you (and they) are doing right helping young people. Avoid dwelling on mistakes; celebrate your successes and give yourself a pat on the back! 

In your neighborhood and community: Help build your neighbors’ confidence as parents and caring adults. Leave a note or voice mail telling a certain neighbor how much you appreciate him or her.

In your school or youth program: Send a letter to parents about building Developmental Assets, and then discuss them in conferences or parent meetings.

Want to know more about the 40 Developmental Assets and ideas for helping young people build them? Visit www.search-institute.org/assets.

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Developmental Assets^® are positive factors within young people, families, communities, schools, and other settings that research has found to be important in promoting the healthy development of young people. From Instant Assets: 52 Short and Simple E-Mails for Sharing the Asset Message. Copyright © 2007 by Search Institute^®, 877-240-7251; www.search-institute.org. This message may be reproduced for educational, noncommercial uses only (with this copyright line). All rights reserved.

Looking forward to a bright future

Stories about people who have overcome incredible odds to make a difference or achieve a dream abound throughout history. It’s important to have goals and dreams, but what do you do when the going gets tough? It’s important to model a positive attitude, seek solutions to problems, and keep moving toward your goal. Studies show when people envision themselves reaching their goals, they’re more likely to make them happen. Positive View of Personal Future is Asset 40 of Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets, the qualities, experiences, and relationships that help young people grow up healthy, caring, and responsible.

Here are the facts

Research shows that young people who are optimistic about the future have better relationships with their parents, increased self-esteem, and decreased emotional or behavioral problems, such as depression, early sexual activity, and violence. About 72 percent of young people, ages 11–18, are optimistic about their personal future, according to Search Institute surveys. Since young people are our future adults, it’s important to help them realize the positive aspects of their lives now and in the years to come.

Tips for building this asset

Having a sense of hope is one of the most important human traits to embrace. Everyone faces ups and downs in life. But it’s important to teach young people that a bad day, failed test, break-up, or loss of a loved one doesn’t mean the future is without hope. When bad things happen or mistakes occur, help young people focus on solutions or positive aspects of the situation instead of problems.

Also try this

In your home and family: Clip articles from newspapers or magazines of people doing hopeful things. Post them so the entire family sees them.

In your neighborhood and community: If you have concerns about your neighborhood, talk to neighbors about them. Gather a group to address these concerns and create a better future for everyone who lives nearby. Young people who live in a safe, clean, friendly neighborhood are more likely to feel positive about their future.

In your school or youth program: React positively when young people tell you their dreams—no matter how far-fetched or unreachable they may seem. Together, figure out a plan to make their dreams come true.

Want to know more about the 40 Developmental Assets and ideas for helping young people build them? Visit www.search-institute.org/assets.

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Developmental Assets^® are positive factors within young people, families, communities, schools, and other settings that research has found to be important in promoting the healthy development of young people. From Instant Assets: 52 Short and Simple E-Mails for Sharing the Asset Message. Copyright © 2007 by Search Institute^®, 877-240-7251; www.search-institute.org. This message may be reproduced for educational, noncommercial uses only (with this copyright line). All rights reserved.

What if you live to be 100?

If you lived to 100, what would you want people to remember about you? Would your actions over the years reflect what you believed in and stood for? When young people think today about what they want to accomplish in their lives, it shapes their sense of purpose. Each and every young person has something unique to offer the world. Sense of Purpose is Asset 39 of Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets, the qualities, experiences, and relationships that help young people grow up healthy, caring, and responsible.

Here are the facts

Research shows young people who have a sense of purpose feel good about themselves, get along better with their parents, and get into less trouble. About 57 percent of young people, ages 11–18, say their life has a purpose, according to Search Institute surveys. For those who do not, caring adults can help them identify what matters most to them and what they find meaningful.

Tips for building this asset

Ask young people what inspires or excites them and share your thoughts on the subject with them. Encourage them to write down their thoughts about the meaning of life to help gain a greater understanding about what’s important to them. Tell them to review what they’ve written from time to time and notice how some of these things may change over time. Let them know changes are healthy and natural as people mature. Encourage them to aim for the things that give their lives purpose.

Also try this

In your home and family: Ask your child how he or she would like to contribute to the family and to others in the community. Then help her or him get started.

In your neighborhood and community: Look for stories or images that depict local people who’ve lived with a clear sense of purpose. What did they accomplish? Write an article about one of these people for your local newspaper or newsletter.

In your school or youth program: Ask young people in your school or program to help younger kids. Pair them up in general mentoring relationships or for tutoring on specific school subjects. This will give the older kids a sense of purpose, as well as model to the younger ones what it means to help others.

Want to know more about the 40 Developmental Assets and ideas for helping young people build them? Visit www.search-institute.org/assets.

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Developmental Assets^® are positive factors within young people, families, communities, schools, and other settings that research has found to be important in promoting the healthy development of young people. From Instant Assets: 52 Short and Simple E-Mails for Sharing the Asset Message. Copyright © 2007 by Search Institute^®, 877-240-7251; www.search-institute.org. This message may be reproduced for educational, noncommercial uses only (with this copyright line). All rights reserved.

Here is who will on our A-Team staff this summer…

Program Staff:

Megan Counts - Staff/ Cabin Life Director

Woody Mathis - Adventure Village Director

Campbell Dunbar - Ranger Head Counselor

Heather Norris - Blazer Head Counselor

John Medina - Pathfinder/ Buckaroo Head Counselor

Sarah Cox - CIT Director

Adam Bennett - CIT Director

Bobby Thomas - Activities Director

Timothy Casebolt - Aquatics Director

Eric McClain - Minibike Director

Caitie Ziemak - Equestrian Director

Dusty Caldwell - Minibike Mechanic

Jessica Florea - Avian Specialist

Cabin Counselors:

Jeannie Anderson- Alabama

Amanda Gargus - Alabama

Robin Levine - Alabama

Mary Alice Reilly - Alabama

Patrick Glenn - Alabama

Brittany Mitchell - Alabama

Ambriah Brown - Georgia

Colin Aune - Wisconsin

Letio Monica - Uganda

Okudi Godfrey - Uganda

Stefi Nelson - Georgia

Juliana Dark - Alabama

Melanie Smith - Alabama

Philip Stanford - Alabama

Ian Bartlett - Georgia

Morgan Henson - Georgia

Madison Fridal - Alabama

Janina Bufkin - Mississippi

Tyler Staub (Adventure Village Counselor) - Alabama

Michelle Moody (Adventure Village Counselor) - Alabama

Emily Haggerty (Adventure Village Counselor) - Alabama

Adam Wells - Georgia

Jackson Wilson - Georgia

Nancy Acevedo - Georgia

Madison Dworschak - Georgia

Patrick Jones - Alabama

Elijah Ladnier (Adventure Village Counselor) - Mississippi

Beka Hott - Mississippi

David Corson (Adventure Village Counselor) - Alabama

Asha Bennett - Georgia

Kristopher Taylor - Virginia

Jon Cowart - Alabama

Lauren Crandall - Alabama

Paul Namie - Alabama

Cameron Cotney - Alabama

Sanmorteeno Battle - Alabama

Hayden Avera - Louisiana

Check back often to see who will part of our staff!