Teaching and Instruction

When you first get to camp you will try out some of the classes that we teach to our campers for yourself. Later in training you will learn the courses that you will then teach to campers during the summer. In most cases you will teach one course for the majority of the summer, and teach some additional classes as needed to fill in for other instructors days off, or if additional classes are needed. We will train all counselors in a few different areas so we have flexibility in scheduling during the summer. Before you arrive at camp you will be sent the lesson plans for our courses and classes to look over and prepare. 

Depending on which activities you teach, the number of campers you are working with can vary through the day and week. Our usual activity group size is 2-12 campers. In the event of more than 12 campers, we try to schedule an ASIT or second staff member as an assistant. 

Whatever you are teaching, we expect all instructors to be teaching what we have laid out in the lesson plans. We want the classes and courses they sign up for to be fun and educational, as well as what they are expecting to learn. Many campers spend weeks or even months before coming to camp reading about and deciding what activities they want to sign up for, and the most disappointing thing is to hear that a camper who signed up to learn something missed out because the instructor was unprepared, or decided to ignore the lesson plan.  It is also unacceptable to finish the class early and fill the remaining time with games or other activities. If a camper signed up for archery its because they want to do archery! Fill the time with the activities you are meant to be teaching. Your lesson plans will outline how to effectively fill up the time allocated, as well as extension activities if you finish early. 

Top Tips for Terrific Teaching

• PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE!! – preparation sets you up for success. Understand what and how you will teach your class. Make sure you have all your equipment before you start. Have ideas and supplies ready to go for last minute changes, extension activities and time-fillers.

• Spark Curiosity – ask 'I wonder’ questions and allow time and space to explore.

• Connect to the real world – Show the real world connection to lesson activities. Explain the science and where campers can see the science in action.

• Think beyond facts – move beyond knowledge outcomes and think about the skills, attitudes and values campers can gain from the class.  This may also include 21st century skills such as collaboration, creativity, problem solving and leadership. 

• Sit back and watch – observation is key.  Listen and watch campers as they talk with each other and complete tasks.  This gives you time to assess their engagement with the task, and provide opportunities to build and extend the activity.

• Be Flexible – nothing will go to plan, so be open to change.  If campers are losing interest or their curiosity takes a new direction, be open and ready to adapt your program. 

• Do you! – we all have our own unique communication styles, interests and talents. These combine to create a unique teaching style.  

How to start a successful activity (NOISE)

Name – Start with the name of the activity so campers can remember what they did.

Objective – Explain the goal of the activity

Instructions – should be clear and concise and should explain how to complete the activity.  Younger campers will need fewer instructions at a time. Ensure instructions are understood before campers get started.

Safety – Explain specific safety components of the activity

Experience – it’s time to get started! What will learner do? Keep it active and hands-on.

Round it out with a debrief

Discussion after an activity allows campers to connect classes and activities at camp with the outside world. Naming skills and experiences allows us to recognize them and become more aware of our learning.

Structuring a debrief:

What? – What happened? What did you observe?

So What? – Unpack the experience and significant learning. 

Now What? – Bridge to future experiences

Next: Ages & Stages: Child Development