Extension Highlights | Page 9

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activity planning and execution, communication, problem solving and conflict management as well as child development through the 4-H model. This training is executed by professionals within the Cornell Cooperative Extension system. Finally, performance feedback is delivered through the course of the summer. Weekly staff meetings reinforce job and behavior expectations while allowing staff to professionally deliver their own input as leaders of the campers in order to promote improvements or necessary changes to the camp programming for the upcoming week. Feedback is delivered individually with the purpose of growth and improvement through the course of the season.

The Hidden Valley 4-H Camp trained 43 staff members between the ages of 16 and 56 in the summer of 2014. This particular staff interacted with 699 campers between the ages of 8 and 16 over a six week season. Immediate results of staff training weeks show engaged counselors who communicate appropriately with parents, who are conscious of camper safety and who demonstrate responsibility in their personal time. Weekly staff meetings consisted of program related discussions, as opposed to less productive and unfocused complaint sessions. Well-trained and professional counselors also result in higher camper weekly returns during the summer season. Post-camp statements from counselors indicated positive personal and professional growth. For example, one 22-year-old counselor states that he came to camp as a “shy kid.” However, after several

weeks in his first summer he noticed that he “started pushing the limits of my comfort zone. I learned leadership skills and gained a huge boost to my self-confidence.” He is now involved in insect research and works directly with a research professor. A young female counselor worked directly with a special needs child. She later expressed that this role taught her patience and compassion she believes applies presently to her daily life.

Staff training at the Hidden Valley 4-H Camp was a collaborative event in order for the delivery of information to be authentic. Mandated compliance training was led by the Finger Lakes Human Resources Lead, Renee Smith. Jamie Ferris, of the Wood Agency, delivered the Risk Management information. Finally, one of the educators from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County led the training on our gardening program.