Group Meetings: A Safe Space for Campers

At SLC, we believe that every camper should feel safe, heard, and valued. One of the ways we foster this environment is through group meetings. These meetings provide a platform for campers to share their thoughts, concerns, and experiences in a confidential and supportive setting during the summer season. 

What are Group Meetings? 

Group meetings are scheduled discussions in which each group of campers meets with a member of the camp leadership team to talk about their summer experience.  Every group participates in one meeting per session.  Without counselors present, campers can openly share their thoughts, ask questions, raise concerns, and contribute to making camp even better. 

Why We Host Group Meetings 

• Safety and Support: Group meetings create a safe space for campers to express themselves without fear of judgment or reprisal.  This sense of safety allows campers to thrive, fully participate in the camp experience, and develop important social and emotional skills. 
• Open Communication: These meetings encourage open communication between campers and leadership staff, fostering a sense of trust and collaboration. 
• Continuous Improvement: By gathering feedback from campers, we can identify areas where we can improve and make necessary adjustments to enhance their overall experience. 
• Empowerment: Group meetings empower campers to advocate for themselves and to be active participants in their camp community. It provides a sense of ownership over their experience. 

How Group Meetings Work 

A member of SLC’s leadership team hosts a meeting with the campers from each group. These meetings typically take place in a private outdoor setting, such as a gazebo, to create a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. We emphasize the importance of confidentiality during group meetings and ask campers to refrain from discussing the meeting with staff or friends. We also promise to give campers confidentiality and assure them that we will follow up on any concerns or issues raised. 

We ask campers to remember the following guidelines: 

• Everyone’s Voice Counts: Campers can speak up or pass. We encourage everyone to share their thoughts, but no one person should dominate the conversation. 
• Their Feedback Matters: We want to hear how camp is going, and their thoughts are important to making this summer a success. 
• Be Respectful: No interruption and no putting down other campers’ ideas or feelings. 
• Everyone is in this Together: All the groups in camp have meetings like this. It is a wonderful way to share experiences and learn from each other. 

During the meeting, we begin by discussing general camp topics such as: 

• Opinions on food 
• Favorite camp activities 
• Comments about group environment 
• Comparisons to the previous summer 

We then transition to more specific topics related to staff members. It is crucial for campers, who are away from their homes for extended periods, to feel secure and comfortable with the adults supervising them. Topics covered include: 

• General opinions of counselors 
• Any concerns or issues with staff behavior 
• Confidentiality reminder and follow-up 

To conclude each meeting, every camper is given a piece of paper and asked to write down a wish for camp. This anonymous exercise allows campers to share any concerns, feedback, or ideas that they may not have felt comfortable sharing in the group. In this way, we create a safe and supportive environment where every camper feels valued and heard.  

Group meetings often spark innovative ideas and inspire mid-season adjustments to enhance the camp experience. For instance, a group of campers expressed their enthusiasm for Culinary but noted limited opportunities to participate. In response, we collaborated with our Program Director to adjust their schedule, ensuring more time could be spent enjoying this beloved activity. 

Group meetings empower campers to advocate for themselves, develop important social and emotional skills, and contribute to a positive camp community. We believe that group meetings are essential for ensuring that our campers have a memorable and fulfilling camp experience.