Social Emotional Learning 

Why Focus on SEL at Camp?

Source: American Camp Association

A child’s ability to self-regulate – to manage emotions, attention, motivation, and behavior to achieve specific purposes – is related to a wide range of positive outcomes.

In recent years, the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) has emerged as a leader in research and implementation of programs that promote SEL, and this particular label has gained momentum beyond the education sector.

CASEL defines SEL through a framework of five core competencies (2023):

• Self-awareness

• Self-management

• Responsible Decision-making

• Social Awareness

• Relationship Skills

Let’s get a bit more specific and granular for the camp setting.

Self-awareness: the ability to observe or sense our own feelings and behaviors

Self-management: the ability to regulate our emotions and to have control over our behaviors by choosing our responses rather than instinctually reacting to the world around us

Social Awareness: the ability to read social cues in others, to accurately interpret the world around us, and to have empathy for others

Responsible Decision-making: the ability to predict outcomes and choose between different options in what we say and do

Relationship Skills: communication, collaboration, cooperation

Many of these skills overlap, intertwine, and cannot be fully separated into clean categories. Furthermore, we can add skills or characteristics such as curiosity, creativity, optimism, gratitude, and zest. These concepts certainly fit under an umbrella of social and emotional skills, but they may also include elements of cognition or spirituality that haven’t been included in CASEL’s model of SEL.

For camp, we don’t need specific, consistent, or widespread definitions for these skills. What matters to us is how important these skills are and how we can develop them in our campers and ourselves.

Life Skills Games Can Reinforce

Source: PLAYWORKS Life Skills Game Guide

SELF-MANAGEMENT

To regulate emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations and work towards setting and achieving goals. Includes managing stress, controlling impulses and motivating oneself. Games that support self-management help students learn to control physical movement, practice adherence to game rules, manage frustration or disappointment or set small goals for completion. Games where kids rotate through, like foursquare, or low-stakes competitive games are good examples.

POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS

To establish and maintain healthy and rewarding relationships with diverse individuals and groups. Includes communicating clearly, listening actively, cooperating, negotiating conflict constructively and seeking and offering help when needed. Games that support positive relationships give players opportunities to practice building social bonds, communicating effectively, group interaction, and using conflict resolution strategies. Examples include games that use or teach “rock, paper, scissors” for conflict resolution; cooperative games; or games that involve sharing information about yourself.

SOCIAL AWARENESS/EMPATHY

To take the perspective of and empathize with others from diverse backgrounds and to understand social norms for behavior. Includes the ability to relate to others with acceptance and understanding. Games that support empathy encourage students to take the perspective of others or work collaboratively; include and accept everyone, including peers who are different; or listen actively and pay attention to the behavior of others.

DECISION MAKING

The ability to make constructive and respectful choices about personal behavior and social interactions based on consideration of ethical standards, safety concerns, social norms, the realistic evaluation of consequences of various actions, and the well-being of self and others. Games that support responsible decision-making help players practice treating each other with respect and ensuring a safe environment for all. These include games that utilize strategies for safe tagging or that reinforce supportive language like, “good job, nice try.”

PROBLEM SOLVING

The ability to plan, strategize and implement complex tasks. Includes generating alternative solutions, anticipating consequences, overcoming roadblocks with ease and knowing when to ask for help. Games that support problem solving help players practice how to develop a plan, think strategically, resolve conflicts, or reflect on the result of their actions. Examples include games that involve trial and error, testing different approaches to overcome a challenge and organizing actions over time.

TEAMWORK

The ability to collaborate and coordinate actions with others. Includes building group cohesion and trust. Games that require players to align their actions with others in a coordinated effort support teamwork. Examples include core games such as kickball, basketball, soccer or other games that focus on a common group goal. May also include successful demonstrations of youth leadership.