Because recruiting can be difficult, it is important to maintain high staff morale. High morale will encourage staff to return to camp after camp, reducing the number of new recruits you must find. We asked camp directors, “How do you keep your staff’s morale high?” We think you’ll find the following suggestions uplifting.

“We initiated an ‘assistant counselor’ program. Several sports and crafts helpers were assigned to camper cabins and assisted the counselors whenever they were not occupied by their other responsibilities (i.e. sleeping, getting up, mealtime, chapel, going to bed, devotions, etc.) This was especially helpful for the middler age cabins.”

“We have steak night for the staff. All workers are treated to a banquet in their honor.”

“We have a staff orientation and have fun at it. We also had two staff meetings during the week to visit and have pizza and watermelon. Take every opportunity to praise. Focus on positives, not negatives.”

“We schedule each counselor to have a free hour each day. We also pair one supportive staff member with each counselor. The counselors do not have to do the teaching, recreation, Bible quiz, etc. We attempt to keep people from becoming over–worked. Each evening we have worker devotions and snack time.”