Welcome to Camp Noah!
Thank you for your commitment to Camp Noah and to leading your team to serve children in communities impacted by disaster.
This guide is designed to help you prepare yourself and your team for serving with Camp Noah. The process of recruiting your team, ensuring they are trained, and facilitating the curriculum can be intense. You will put in long hours and work hard—but the work you do will be transformational in the lives of the campers you serve as well as the team you lead.
Whether you have led Camp Noah teams multiple times or this is your first journey with Camp Noah, we hope you find the information contained in this Manual to be helpful. We also hope that you will take the time to regularly e-mail, text, call, or write the Camp Noah—LSSMN staff person assigned to your team. Camp Noah is constantly changing, and your questions and ideas only make this program better. Please don’t hesitate to ask! You will find that while we are serious about making sure each camper, volunteer, parent, and community member who finds themselves at a Camp Noah is welcome, safe, and served, we are really not very serious—we are in the FUN business and we are glad to have you join us in that FUN. Let’s laugh together, cry together, and enjoy this special work of serving children in communities impacted by disaster.
Table of Contents
Welcome to Camp Noah! 1
Table of Contents 2
Getting Started 3
Team Leader Planning Checklist 4
What is Camp Noah? 5
SUPPORT—Camp Noah at Lutheran Social Service of MN (CN—LSSMN) 6
Team Leader Training Information & Coaching Calls 9
Online Training 9
Coaching Calls 9
Developing Your Team (Recruitment) 12
Volunteer Registration and Fee Payment 14
How to Register as a Camp Noah Volunteer 15
Training and Certification 17
How to Get Started with the Camp Noah E-Learning Center (aka online training) 18
Assigning Team Roles 19
Fundraising 21
Asking for Donations 21
Our Team Budget & Fundraising Goal 24
Leading Your Team (Before, During, and After Camp) 25
Team Meetings/Trainings (Before Camp Begins) 26
During Camp: Team Leader Reports 27
Post Camp: Debriefing and Going Home 28
The Site Coordinator & Local Camp Staff 29
Conversations with Site Coordinator: 30
Non-Certified/Local Camp Staff 32
The Mental Health Professional 33
Working with Campers 34
Healing Room 35
Campers with Special Needs 35
The Camp Noah Week/Event 36
Curriculum Overview Guide 36
Camp Schedule 36
Pre-Camp (Campers Check-in and Breakfast Time) 36
Final Large Group Gathering: Closing on Day 5/Session 10 37
Faith Affirmation Leaders Guide 38
Camp Supplies 39
Supplies to Bring 39
Supplies provided by the Site Coordinator/Site 39
T-shirts and All-Camp Photo 40
Returning Materials 40
Evaluations 40
Travel & Logistics 41
Accommodations 41
Section 2: Team Leader Packet
Position Description
Copy of Agreement
Section 3: Forms (RETURN TO CAMP NOAH)
Reference Check Report
Before Camp: Team Training Meeting Reports
Role Assignment
Team Leader Report
Ouch Reports
Incident Reports
Section 4: PR Materials
Volunteer Letter
Bulletin Insert or Flier
Camp Noah FAQ
What People Are Saying
Value of Camp Noah/What Campers Receive
Handling Media Interviews
Fleece Blankets and Kids Kits Instructions
Donation ½ pager
Section 5: Team Meetings Materials
Meeting Agendas
True Colors Personality Test
Who Am I
My Story Board
Diversegories
Safe Place Picture
Section 6: Curriculum
Overview Guide
List of books read at Camp Noah
Schedule Templates
Section 7: Other Resources
Resource Links
Master Supply List
Getting Started
The process of preparing you to be a Team Leader is determined by your needs as a Leader and your self-direction. Here are some steps you should take to make sure you are prepared for the job of Team Leader:
1. Read through this guide. Mark places where you have questions or things are not clear. Ask those questions as soon as you can.
2. Research how disaster affects children. We’ve provided several links to high-quality resources at the back of this guide to help you get started.
3. Familiarize yourself with the Camp Noah themes and curriculum pieces you have received.
4. Consider talking with a Team Leader from a previous year. Ask, “What did you learn?”
5. Set up a time to talk through your planning and camp event with your Program Manager.
6. Start working through the checklists and forms provided.
7. Use the blank spaces in this guide to take notes. Write down contact numbers, plans, and ideas. Keep the binder with you during camp.
8. Talk about Camp Noah with others in your community and look for people to partner with.
9. Set deadlines for yourself that give you plenty of time to accomplish your tasks so you are not overwhelmed in the last few weeks before camp.
10. Take a deep breath! You can do this!
Team Leader Planning Checklist
Item / Date Completed / Notes:Read through the entire manual
Send in forms from the Team Leader Packet
Schedule first Coaching Call
Recruit Team members
Get Team members registered online
Complete Reference checks on team members and submit report to Camp Noah Program Manager.
Get Team started on online training.
Schedule and conduct Team Meetings 1 & 2
Submit report on team meetings to Camp Noah.
Assign roles to team members
Make sure team members complete online training.
Conversation with Site Coordinator
Make Travel Arrangements
Before/After Camp Plan
Birthday Party Plan
Prepare for Debriefing team during camp
Complete Team Leader Report
Ensure team members complete evaluations
What is Camp Noah?
Camp Noah is a program for elementary-age children whose communities have been impacted by disaster.
Our Mission:
Camp Noah brings hope and healing to communities that have been impacted by disaster.
Our Vision:
Our vision is to serve disaster-impacted children and families by building resiliency, restoring hope and changing lives.
How we work:
Camp Noah provides a safe, caring and fun environment where children build resiliency skills within the familiarity of their own communities, using a proven curriculum designed to help children process their disaster and/or trauma experience through creative activities and play.
Camp Noah celebrates every child as special. In this safe and supportive setting, children are encouraged to face their fears, grieve their losses, identify and share their unique gifts and talents, and plan for an amazing future.
How can I learn more about Camp Noah?
The Camp Noah 101 book provides a helpful overview of Camp Noah’s history, curriculum, themes, structure, Camp Staff roles, Guiding Principles and Policies and Procedures.
SUPPORT—Camp Noah at Lutheran Social Service of MN (CN—LSSMN)
Camp Noah is owned and operated by Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS), which is the largest statewide social service nonprofit in Minnesota. Nearly 2,300 employees and over 8,700 volunteers serve more than 100,000 individuals and families annually. LSS traces its roots to 1865, when a small congregation took in orphaned children who needed care and protection. The service of caring for at-risk children continues to shape the organization’s priorities, and Camp Noah is part of this commitment.
LSS provides care that reflects compassion, integrity, and respect for all individuals and cultures regardless of race, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, or religion.
LSS’ service outcome goals are organized around children, youth and families; people with disabilities; and older adults. The services of LSS are designed to help people make significant, long-term changes in their lives. Camp Noah is a program of LSS’ Disaster Services.
The Camp Noah program staff is small and covers a wide territory. As a Team Leader you will be assigned to a CN—LSSMN Program Manager who will work with you to make your Camp Noah successful.
The Program Manager’s Job:
· Develops the camp site
· Coaches and supports the Site Coordinator and the Team Leader
· Identifies, certifies, and assigns Team Leader (and team) to serve
· Provides resources and materials for planning, including online registration, curriculum, training and PR
· Ships supplies for camp
· Works to secure funding for camp
The Program Manager (PM) will provide you with the coaching, support and training you need to carry out your responsibilities and fulfill the commitment you have made. Please don’t hesitate to call or e-mail her regularly. Each Program Manager works with multiple Team Leaders and Site Coordinators, so it is helpful if you reach out to her with questions, concerns, or comments.
There are many resources available from CN—LSSMN. If you are in need of something, please don’t hesitate to ask!
The diagram (next page) illustrates the relationships between all of the people involved in making Camp Noah happen. Hopefully this helps you understand how everyone is connected, and also how all of these people and relationships are essential for a successful camp.
Team Leader Training Information & Coaching Calls
Online Training
As a Team Leader you will be given access to and expected to complete the same online training provided to your team. Your Program Manager will give you details about this online training coursework and be your resource as you complete the training.
We suggest that you begin the training as soon as it is available to you. Your team members will be directed to ask you questions about how the system works and what they need to do.
At a minimum, plan to spend 6 hours completing the online training over the next several weeks/months. You also will have the option of completing all of the role specific training (recreation leader, small group leader, etc.) if you wish, but these are not required.
Again, further information about the online training will be provided to you when it is available.
Coaching Calls
You will also have a minimum of two coaching calls with your Camp Noah Program Manager. These calls are intended to help you begin this process, but should not the only times you communicate with your PM. Schedule the first call as soon as possible; the second should happen about one month later.
On the next pages you will find Coaching Call Agendas and space for notes.
Coaching Call Agenda #1
Getting to Know Each Other
Talk through the Team Leader Manual
What things do you want to talk about and/or what questions do you have?
Team Recruitment
Planning for Team Training
Defining Next Steps
Follow-up needed
Coaching Call Agenda #2
Check-in with Planning Checklist
What things do you want to talk about and/or what questions do you have?
Travel and Logistics
Fundraising Goals and plans, including additional money for camp:
What do you need from CN—LSSMN?
Defining Next Steps
Follow-up needed
Developing Your Team (Recruitment)
Steps to Developing a Camp Noah Team
1. Figure out team composition (see more information below).
2. Recruit, Recruit, Recruit!
3. Interview and/or decide who will be part of the team
4. Give team members link to register with Camp Noah and pay volunteer fees.
5. Team Members are background checked by Camp Noah.
6. Team Leader checks references for team members.
7. Team Members are trained via online system and team meetings.
8. Assign team roles.
9. Once online training is complete, team members are CERTIFIED and ready to serve with Camp Noah! Collect all certificates from each team member.
Team Composition
· 15-25 Team Members: Team members need to be at least 16 years old. Because of the emotional maturity needed at Camp Noah, we ask that you bring no more than five team members under the age of 18.
· Intergenerational
· Variety of experiences & lots of gifts and talents for all the roles
· Hardworking and flexible
· Open to learning
· Ready to sweat, have fun and be silly
· Willing to participate in all camp activities
· Able to adapt to new environments and cultures
· Humble & compassionate
· Interested in learning new things
· Willing to give generously to a community impacted by disaster
· Other helpful skills for camp staff include: recreation, music, drama, arts and crafts, mental health proficiencies, leadership, classroom management, and experience with children.
Camper to Staff Ratio
3:1 is preferred
4:1 is acceptable
Often teams feel that they can facilitate Camp Noah for campers without a full team. In everyday settings such as school, church, and childcare centers, campers experience child to adult ratios of 5:1 or even 25:1. Camp Noah is not an everyday/normal setting! Children who come to Camp Noah are often coming into a NEW place, meeting new people, learning new expectations and rules, and processing emotions and challenging life events. All this newness means they need extra attention from staff.
At Camp Noah, we want every child to have the opportunity for one-on-one attention, meaningful conversations, and positive connections with adults. The 3:1 (or 4:1) ratio provides these things for campers and helps to ensure that one of the primary goals of Camp Noah—CAMPERS ARE SAFE—is met. The camper recruitment goal is 50 campers at each camp.
Recruitment
As you recruit your team, consider the following:
· START EARLY!
· Make a list of characteristics of the ideal team member. Who do you want to work with? Where can you find these people? How can you best engage each one?
· ASK! ASK! ASK!
· Give a deadline for an answer—a “no” is better than no answer.
· Consider hosting a lunch or gathering to share information and get people interested.
· Ask team members to recruit their friends, family, or co-workers.
· Where can you share the information in print/writing? (i.e. use the sample letter or bulletin inserts)
· Where/How can you share the information via social media? (i.e. make a Facebook page)
· Where can you share the information verbally? (i.e. announcements at church or meetings)
My Recruitment Plan:Getting to Know/Interviewing Team Members
Once someone has said they are interested in being part of your team, please conduct a mini-interview with them. The final decision (unless they have a background check issue or don’t complete their training) on whether or not the person will be on your team is made by you. You can say no if you feel someone is not a good fit. You’ll want to make sure that the team you are leading is a group of amazing people who can work together!