Chapter 10: Lunch

Resources

Check the chapter 10 resource folder for a staff handout as well as a flow chart for lunch.

Lunch Set-Up

Preparing to Set-up

The following need to be prepared in order to set-up lunch. 

1. The Lunch Boss Binder: Get the Lunch Boss/Lunch Care/After Care binder complete with (Tab Name/Contents of section):

   1. 1. ·   Attendance/Daily Attendance

      2. ·   Master Check-Out/ Master Check-Out List

      3. ·   Master Special Concerns/ Master Special Concerns List

      4. ·   Visitor Passes/ Visitor Passes Check-In/Check-Out

      5. ·   12:00pm Self Check-Out/ 12:00pm Self Check-Out List

      6. ·   Lunch-Care/ Lunch-Care Attendance, Lunch-Care Drop-in form

      7. ·   Lunch-Care Check-Out/ 1:00pm Check-Out, Drop-in Check-out form

      8. ·   Check-out at lunch table/ Camper Check-Out (Guardian/Self) at Lunch Table 

2. Loading the Cart: Load a cart with:

   1. 1. ·   Six large signs

      2. ·   One small table

      3. ·   The large “free lunch” table

      4. ·   5 or 6 headless golf clubs

      5. ·   A folder containing laminated signs.

      6. ·   Container for lunch care leaving name tags.

The following are the signs that need to be taken to lunch: 

3. Preparing to Set Up:

• 1. Determining Lunch Groups for the Week: Check the schedule to find out which lunch groups there are for the week, and be aware of the designated lunch area. Lunch groups for the given week can be found on the “camper schedule” located on the black bulletin board in the office and in the back of the lunch boss binder.

  2. Determining the Designated Lunch Area: The designated lunch area is generally announced at the Monday morning meeting and is typically one of four areas (the east side of the MU Quad under the large tree, the Stag hub, First Baseline walkway between Goss and Dixon and the Langton hub). On rainy days, lunch will be moved to the Langton gym.

  3. Communicate with Lunch Boss:  Communicate with the lunch boss about where each group should be placed during lunch time. 

Setting Up Lunch

The Lunch Boss should travel out to the designated lunch area at 11:30 AM, with the Lunch Boss cart (equipped with all the necessary materials). The following should be done when the Lunch Boss arrives at the designated lunch area with the Lunch Boss cart:

1. Setting Up the Lunch Boss Table/Free Lunch Table: The lunch boss table should be placed near a paved path (preferably in a shaded area), where parents will have convenient access coming and going from the table. This table operates as the central location from which the Lunch Boss and Lunch Care Boss operate from. The free lunch table should be set up and given to the lunch ladies at whatever location they have decided to set up. Generally they will be out setting up at the designated lunch location before the Lunch Boss gets out to lunch. The Lunch Boss should assist the lunch ladies in any way that he/she can prior to the beginning of lunch (The lunch ladies are usually not in need of the help of the Lunch Boss but it is courteous to ask them anyway).

2. Placing Groups: Each group should be in a shaded area and have ten to twenty feet of space separating it from other groups. Follow the directions of the lunch boss about where each group should be placed.

   1. Lunch Care: Lunch Care is generally the largest group and has the most campers coming and going throughout lunch. Lunch Care should be placed directly behind the Lunch Boss table, marked by the “Lunch Care Leaving/Arriving sign”.

   2. Junior Beavers: The Junior Beaver groups should be grouped in an area together and should be the next closest collection of groups to the Lunch Boss table other than Lunch Care. Large signs should be set up displaying each Junior Beaver group as a means to notify lunch group leaders as to where their group’s designated area is.

   3. Dam Builders: The Dam Builder groups can be a bit further away from the Lunch Boss table and should be given plenty of space. Headless golf clubs should be pounded into the ground with a bat or hammer and laminated signs should be velcroed to them designating each Dam Builder group’s area.

   4. Duck Busters: Generally there is only one Duck Buster group and it can be placed anywhere that is convenient and away from all other groups. The Duck Buster group does not usually have a sign (the group leader can just be told where the group should eat lunch).

   5. Drawing a Map: If the Lunch Boss is unable to attend or set up lunch for the day, he/she should draw a map of where he/she wants each of the groups to be located.

   6. Wet Grass: Grass is often wet in parts, or all, of the designated lunch area. It is the responsibility of the Lunch Boss to set up lunch in a manner that helps groups to avoid sitting in wet areas.

   7. Placing Groups in the Shade: The shade will shift during lunch due to the movement of the sun. The Lunch Boss should take account of the movement of the shade and place groups accordingly.

Lunch Check-In and Check-Out

Material Needed

• Name Tag Boxes

• Two Tables

• Two Alphabet Signs

• 3 Staffers

• AM Checkout Clipboard

• ABS/Late List

Procedure

1. Take all your materials out to the lunch check-out location using one of the carts.

2. Set- up both tables and signs. The signs should be A-N and O-Z.

3. Put the name tag boxes on each table accordingly.

4. Have two people check-out the campers, while the other one enforces the campers to sit quietly behind the table.

5. At 12:15 take the remainder of the campers to lunch-care along with the clipboard and the name tag boxes.

6. Call the office if there are any kids missing that should have been at check-out.

7. Start bathroom roving 

8. Go back to the table with the boxes at 12:45.

9. Two staffers should be checking them in, while the other entertains the campers behind the signs.

10. Wait for the camp counselors to come get their campers.

11. At 1:00 PM take the rest of the kids to their respective groups.

12. Pack up the cart and take it back to Langton.

13. Unload the name tag boxes, and put them back in the KS office.

Lunch Groups

Hand out “Everything You Need to Know About Lunch Groups” (from chapter 10 resource folder) to lunch group leaders and camp counselors with information they will need in preparing for lunch. 

Lunch Care Boss

Who is Lunch Care Boss?

The Lunch Care Boss is the Lunch Care supervisor and works together with the Lunch Boss to supervise all of lunch. The Lunch Care Boss is primarily responsible for checking campers in and out of lunch care and helping parents at the Lunch Boss table.

What are the Daily Responsibilities of the Lunch Care Boss?

1. The Beginning of Lunch: The Lunch Care Boss should arrive at the designated lunch area by 12:00 PM.

2. The Lunch Boss/Lunch Care/After Care Binder: The Lunch Boss will have lunch set up, and the Lunch Boss/Lunch Care/After Care binder will be waiting for the Lunch Care Boss at the Lunch Boss table.

3. Taking Attendance: The Lunch Care Boss should open the Lunch Boss/Lunch Care/After Care binder to the Lunch Care Leaving/Arriving attendance page.

4. Campers Checking In: A steady stream of campers will be sent to the Lunch Boss table because they are Lunch Care Leaving and parents will be checking their children in as Lunch Care arriving.

   1. The Lunch Care Boss should take note of campers checking in to Lunch Care on the attendance sheet and place them in a Lunch Care group.

   2. On Monday’s the Lunch Care Boss should separate campers in lunch care among Lunch Care group leaders and take note of each camper’s group leader on the attendance sheet.

   3. During the remaining days of the week, the Lunch Care Boss should place campers back into the same Lunch Care group that they were placed in on Monday.

   4. Depending on the week, there will be between 2 and 5 Lunch Care group leaders. The Lunch Care Boss should evenly distribute campers among the Lunch Care group leaders.

5. Miscellaneous Lunch Care Tasks: After all campers are distributed among Lunch Care group leaders, the Lunch Care Boss should do a series of things throughout the duration of lunch. These things are as follows:

   1. Campers Arriving and Leaving: Checking campers in and out of Lunch Care:

      1. Lunch Care arriving campers will often arrive late for lunch and should be placed in a lunch group.

      2. Campers who are Lunch Care leaving will be checked out at various times during lunch. The Lunch Care Boss should check the ID of the individual checking out the camper to make sure they are listed on the check out sheet. If the individual is indeed listed on the sheet, the Lunch Care Boss should put the first name of the individual checking out the camper in the campers “checkout box” and initials of the staff member and the camper can be released. 

   2. Helping the Lunch Boss with Lunch Table tasks: The Lunch Boss is often busy with other lunch time tasks and needs assistance with the following tasks when he/she is not at the lunch table:

      1. 12:00 PM Self Checkout: Allowing campers that are 12:00 PM Self Checkout to sign out. The 12:00 PM Self Checkout sheet is located in the Lunch Boss binder. Campers should not be permitted to sign out until exactly 12:00 PM.

      2. Visitor Passes: Allowing parents/guardians wishing to visit their children during lunch to sign in as visitors. Parents/guardians can sign in on the Visitor Passes Check-in/Check-out sheet located in the Lunch Boss binder and should be given a visitor pass. The Lunch Boss/Lunch Care Boss should check their identification and match it to the Master List to ensure that they are a parent or guardian of the child

      3. Campers Checking Out with a Guardian: Allowing parents/guardians to sign their camper out for lunch. Parents should sign their camper out on the “Camper Check-out with Guardian at Lunch Table” sheet and their identification should be checked and matched to the Master List, as with visitor passes.

   3. Supervising Lunch Care: It is the job of the Lunch Care Boss to keep lunch care under control. If campers and/or whole groups of campers are getting out of control, the Lunch Care Boss should address the situation with the Lunch Care group leader until the problem is solved.

      1. Out of control lunch groups are not uncommon during the beginning of the summer and/or on Mondays. Lunch groups are especially vulnerable to becoming out of control when they are lead by leaders who have little or no experience with lunch groups. The Lunch Care Boss should go to the group and discuss lunch time expectations including a discussion of repercussions. If the group continues to be out of control, the Lunch Care Boss should reprimand campers and continue to encourage the group to settle down and adhere to lunch time expectations. After lunch, the Lunch Care Boss should have a discussion with the lunch group leader regarding how to successfully lead an appropriate lunch group. If the problem persists, the Lunch Care Boss should consult the Lunch Boss.

      2. How Can I Successfully Lead a Lunch Care Group? The key to leading a lunch group successfully is discussing clear expectations and following through when reprimanding is necessary. Specific rules and boundaries regarding acceptable and unacceptable actions should be discussed followed by a conversation concerning the potential consequences when rules are broken. Group leaders who can keep their campers engaged and entertained during lunch will have less of a problem keeping them under control.

6. Finishing Lunch and Cleaning Up: At 12:50 PM, the Lunch Care Boss should do the following:

   1. Have campers clean up and throw away garbage.

   2. Dismiss Lunch Care Group Leaders who no longer have campers.

   3. Check out any remaining campers when their guardian arrives.

   4. Have a Lunch Care Group Leader escort lunch-care arriving campers to their PM groups.

7. Help the Lunch Boss clean up the lunch area and put away lunch related materials. 

How to be Lunch Boss

Who is the Lunch Boss?

The Lunch Boss is the lunch supervisor. The Lunch Boss is responsible for ensuring that lunch runs smoothly and that all lunch time employees do their job properly and effectively. The Lunch Boss is the highest authority figure at lunch and is responsible for disciplinary action beyond what is performed by lunch group leaders. The Lunch Boss should observe and act accordingly when lunch time procedures are proving to be effective and ineffective.

What are the Daily Responsibilities of the Lunch Boss?

Supervising Lunch: 

1. Tasks at the Beginning of Lunch: The Lunch Boss is responsible for completing tasks at the lunch table with the Lunch Care Boss. The following tasks can be completed by the Lunch Boss or Lunch Care Boss:

   1. 12:00 PM Self Checkout: Allowing campers that are 12:00 PM Self Checkout to sign out. The 12:00 PM Self Checkout sheet is located in the Lunch Boss binder. Campers should not be permitted to sign out until exactly 12:00 PM.

   2. Visitor Passes: Allowing parents/guardians wishing to visit their children during lunch to sign in as visitors. Parents/guardians can sign in on the Visitor Passes Check-in/Check-out sheet located in the Lunch Boss binder and should be given a visitor pass. The Lunch Boss should check their identification and match it to the Master List to ensure that they are a parent or guardian of the child

   3. Campers Checking Out at Lunch Table: Allowing parents/guardians to sign their camper out for lunch. Parents should sign their camper out on the “Camper Check-out (Guardian/Self) at Lunch Table” sheet and their identification should be checked and matched to the Master List, as with visitor passes.  This form is also used for campers who are allowed Self Check-Out to Check themselves out for lunch and return by 12:50pm.

   4. Helping the Lunch Care Boss: Checking campers in and out of Lunch Care if the Lunch Care Boss is unavailable to do so. This entails place children in Lunch Care groups if they are Lunch Care Arriving, and rounding up children who are Lunch Care Leaving when their parents arrive and checking parents’ identification to release them for the day.

   5. Lunch Time Attendance: The Lunch Boss is responsible for collecting and double checking attendance.

      1. Collecting Attendance: Attendance is handed out and collected by the Lunch Boss. The Lunch Boss should travel from group to group and collect attendance sheets from the group leaders of each group. The Lunch Care group will not have an attendance sheet to be collected.

      2. Respect Rules and Expectations: On Mondays, the Lunch Boss should also make sure that group leaders have gone over respect rules with their groups. As with respect rules done prior to AM and PM activities, the lunch group leaders should discuss the expectations and possible repercussions for breaking the rules set with regard to the lunch group.

      3. Checking the Attendance Sheets: Once all attendance sheets are collected, the Lunch Boss should go through each attendance sheet to look for blank spots (This includes the 12:00 PM Self Checkout sheet). If a child’s box for the day is blank, the Lunch Boss should check the day’s updated attendance sheet for the child’s name. If the child is listed as absent on the day’s updated attendance sheet, the Lunch Boss should write “Abs” in the child’s lunch attendance box. 

      4. Problem Solving the Attendance Sheets: If a child’s lunch attendance box is blank and they are not listed as absent on the day’s updated attendance sheet, the office should be called and problem solving should commence until the whereabouts of the child is discovered. The child is likely to be in one of three locations: 12:00 guardian checkout, another lunch group, or the office.

      5. Putting Attendance Sheets Away: Once lunch group attendances have been double checked and all is cleared, they should be placed in the front pocket of the Lunch Care Binder. 

   6.  Supervising During Downtime: Once attendance has been completed, the Lunch Boss will have a short period of down time in which he/she should roam the designated lunch area. The Lunch Boss should make sure that all groups are under control and that lunch is running smoothly. A few specific things should be observed.

      1. Maintaining a Calm Environment: Campers should not be up and moving around. Lunch is a time to recuperate and all campers should be sitting on their bottoms, eating lunch, and/or engaging in lunch time activities (listening to a story, playing cards, playing games that can be played while sitting).

      2. Noise Level: Campers should not be yelling or screaming. Campers do not necessarily have to be quiet, but they should speak at a reasonable level.

      3. Campers Throwing Objects: Campers should not be throwing objects. Food, sticks, or other objects should not be permitted to be thrown under any circumstances.

   7. Reprimanding Campers for Inappropriate Actions: Campers who break rules or engage in inappropriate actions should be reprimanded by their lunch group leader. However, in some circumstances (i.e. extremely bad behavior or when the lunch group leader is not obtaining the desired results from their reprimands) the Lunch Boss should reprimand campers for bad behavior. In general, having campers sit away from the group at the Lunch Boss table for 5 or 10 minutes followed by a discussion regarding their actions is sufficient. If the discussion does not resolve the issue, an incident report should be written and the child should be sent to the office.

   8. Miscellaneous Problem Solving

      1. When Lunch Group Leaders Don’t Show Up: In the instance that one or more lunch group leaders do not show up to lead their group, a variety of things need to be done. First, the office should be called and notified of the situation. The office will be able to notify an assistant director or supervisor to problem solve the situation. In the mean time, a lunch group leader from a group that has multiple leaders can be moved to the group in need, or a CIT from a lunch group or lunch care group can be placed in the group temporarily.

      2. Angry Parents: On rare occasions, parents will be angry and disgruntled when coming to pick their children up or dropping them off. Anger can be trigger by parents forgetting their ID, kids taking too much time to get ready to leave, and a host of other miscellaneous issues. It is important to stay calm during these instances and proceed with regard to KidSpirit protocol depending on the situation.

      3. Missing Child: In the event of a missing child, it is important to stay calm and keep in mind that the child is most likely in a different KidSpirit sanctioned location rather than actually “missing.” If the child is missing from their designated lunch area, the Lunch Boss should check: 12:00 PM checkout, the office, and other lunch groups/lunch care. If the Lunch Boss is still unable to locate the child after checking the aforementioned locations, the office should be called and further problem solving should commence. Note: It is possible that the child has checkout early or was absent for the day. That information is not always successfully recorded on the attendance sheet.

      4. Out of Control Lunch Groups: Out of control lunch groups are not uncommon during the beginning of the summer and/or on Mondays. Lunch groups are especially vulnerable to becoming out of control when they are lead by leaders who have little or no experience with lunch groups. The Lunch Boss should go to the group and discuss lunch time expectations including a discussion of repercussions. If the group continues to be out of control, the Lunch Boss should reprimand campers and continue to encourage the group to settle down and adhere to lunch time expectations. After lunch, the Lunch Boss should have a discussion with the lunch group leader regarding how to successfully lead an appropriate lunch group.

         1. How Can I Successfully Lead a Lunch Group? The key to leading a lunch group successfully is discussing clear expectations and following through when reprimanding is necessary. Specific rules and boundaries regarding acceptable and unacceptable actions should be discussed followed by a conversation concerning the potential consequences when rules are broken. Group leaders who can keep their campers engaged and entertained during lunch will have less of a problem keeping them under control. 

      5. PM Camp Counselors are Not Showing Up On Time: If the PM Camp Counselors are not showing up on time at the end of lunch, the assistant directors or the director should be notified. Expectations regarding the acceptable time to show up to PM groups can then be discussed with Camp Counselors individually or to all employees during the Monday morning meeting.

   9. Cleaning Up: 12:50 PM is clean up time. The Lunch Boss should travel from group to group informing the lunch group leaders that it is time to clean up and get lined up.

      1. Cleaning the Area and Gathering Belongings: Campers in groups should pick up and throw away all of their garbage, gather their belongings, and lineup.

      2. Waiting to Be Dismissed: Lunch group leaders should have their groups lined up straight and waiting for afternoon leaders in a calm and moderately quiet fashion.

      3. Moving Campers to their PM Groups: Some Junior Beaver campers are not in lunch groups that reflect their PM group (i.e. they are in the turtle’s lunch group and the dolphins PM group). These campers need to be transported by the Lunch Boss from their lunch group to their afternoon group. This information can be determined by checking campers’ name tags.

      4. Moving DM’s and DK’s to their Afternoon Groups: Other than the DM express group, all DM’s and DK’s change from lunch group’s to different afternoon groups. It is the Lunch Boss’ responsibility to have the afternoon DM and DK group leaders stand in an area that lines can be formed. Once all DM afternoon group leaders have arrived, the Lunch Boss should dismiss each DM lunch group individually to go and line up in their PM group line. Once dismissed, the Lunch Group leader should then escort their group to the line area and HAND OFF the campers one group at a time.  At this point, all PM Camp Counselors should be with their PM groups, and all campers should be with their PM groups.

      5. Taking PM Attendance: PM Camp Counselors will take attendance, and it is the job of the Lunch Boss to roam from group to group and collect the PM attendance. Once attendance is collected from each group, that group can be dismissed to travel to their first PM activity.

2. Final Lunch Boss Responsibilities: Once all groups have left, lunch has ended. The Lunch Boss should place Lunch and PM attendance sheets in the Lunch Boss binder and begin collecting signs. When all signs, tables, and miscellaneous debris have been loaded into the Lunch cart, the Lunch Boss should throw away any trash that has been left behind and head back inside. Back in the office, PM attendance should be removed from the Lunch Boss binder and placed on the PM attendance clipboard. Any camper name tags that are left at the lunch table and brought in by the Lunch Boss should be sorted into the name tag boxes.