Project Entry 1

Setup: The camp I work for holds staff training every Tuesday. I took this opportunity to present some of my research from this class to my fellow camp staff. I applied my research of stereotypes portrayed in the media of camp counselors to the stereotypes we should strive to portray this summer at our camp. What follows are the notes I used to present.

Things to explain before starting:

-they're going to need a notecard and pen

-they're going to have to turn it in (but it doesn't have to have their name on it)

-I'm going to ask them to talk out loud a few times

Explain class I'm in . . .

I'm in a class that's studying how the media portrays different jobs. Basically, how do movies, tv shows, commercials, etc. portray jobs, does this really affect that job, and what can we learn from these observations. That's what I'm figuring out, but in the meantime, there are some things I want you guys to learn from my research too.

Have them write down answer (wherever there is a number):

1. What is the first word that comes to mind when I say "camp counselor"?

Have them share out loud.

Have you ever been to camp? (show of hands)

2. List a few characteristics of some counselors you had as a camper. (ex: outgoing, friendly, or distant/stand-offish)

3. How did these characteristics affect your week as a camper? (or did they not affect your week at all)

--Have them discuss these questions in their table groups. After a few minutes, have them share out loud.

4. What are some stereotypes that you have of camp counselors, either based on your own experiences (as a camper or counselor) or based on what you've seen on TV or in a movie? Write down as many as you want.

--Here are some I've noticed in my years both as a camper and a counselor

• the camp couple
• the funny one
• the quiet one
• the flirt
• the constant rule-follower
• the one who always breaks the rules
• the spacy one--off in their own world doing their own thing
• the lazy one
• the one who is always late
• the one who always enforces dress code
• the one who never enforces dress code

Do any of these sound familiar?

I've watched a lot of video clips from movies like The Parent Trap, Ernest Goes to Camp, and shows like Salute Your Shorts, and Bug Juice. I'm going to show you two clips from one of my favorite movies that happens to be about a camp. (Heavyweights)

-show Pat & Tim clip

(http://www.youtube.com/user/erl05b?feature=mhum#p/a/f/1/KwNP0SKAzyM)

-show Lars clip

(http://www.youtube.com/user/erl05b?feature=mhum#p/a/f/0/Noq6v29Ygi8)

In your table groups discuss:

What are some characteristics of each example? What are some differences?

If you had to give each of these types of counselors a stereotype, what would you give them?

--Share answers with everyone

In all my research for this class, I've kind of picked up on the trend of there being two main stereotypes of counselors:

-the rule-follower

-the one trying to get around the rules

The Rule-Follower (use Jan as example)

-loved by camp directors (the bosses)

-campers sometimes don't understand (ex: tell a kid it's time for lights out and they'll think you're the mean counselor)

The Rule-Breaker (use Bob as example)

-campers know them as the "fun one"

-attract a lot of attention from campers

-sometimes frustrating to other people on staff (and directors)

Neither of these is necessarily wrong or bad. It is important for us to have a well-balanced team with characteristics of each stereotype.

-We have to have people who will follow the rules, or we'll never get anything done.

-We have to have people who are focused on the fun of camp, or else we'll have the most boring camp ever.

It is possible to find a balance between these two stereotypes, especially if you're conscious of trying to find that balance. It's even MORE possible when you have such a huge group working together to find that balance. This is why Bob and Jan work so well together.

What does this have to do with us?

Our camp has stereotypes, too. (duh)

Who all will we, as counselors, be presenting ourselves to this summer (both as a group and individually)? (have them respond)

• Campers
• Parents
• Volunteers
• ACU community (faculty & staff)
• Bob and Casey
• Fellow staff members
• . . . and more

What kind of stereotype do we want to leave in the minds of these people?

-not necessarily "the pretty one," "the funny one," or "the dress code Nazi"

-think a little deeper . . . how can we make this a part of our purpose

Purpose: To inspire Christian commitment and action in the hearts and minds of a generation of youth to impact the world with the message of God's love one camper at

a time.

--> If your campers went home, how would you want them to finish this sentence to their parents:

"My counselor was so ______________."

(Write it down once on your notecard to give me and once in your notebook to serve as a reminder)

Think about how this compares with the first thing you thought of when you heard the words "camp counselor" earlier.

Closing

Whether we realize it or not/whether we like it or not . . . each of us is going to fulfill a specific stereotype this summer. That's ok. These stereotypes exist because they're real people. There is a counselor stereotype of "the one who is always late" because people like me are generally late.

The stereotype I want you guys to think about now and throughout the summer is different. This is something that goes a lot further than the ones we mentioned earlier and has to do almost even more with what type of person you are in general.