Embers: Getting Started
Posted On June 17, 2013
What are Embers? Embers is a program usually done at night, before bed, with counselors and their unit or cabin. Embers helps the unit bond together and make closer friendships, have lessons on important topics, and give the campers something to think about before going to bed at night. (Troops can do these activities too.)
Embers can be done at any time of the day but normal daytime activities are busy and the calmness of Embers make it a great before bed activity. Another great time is after challenge course/low ropes/high ropes/team building activities.
(For troops, these are great to do about once or twice a month.)
(Campfire not required.)
Helpful ideas for having a great Embers activity:
- Everyone sits in a circle.
- Everyone has an equal chance to speak.
- LISTEN to your campers and make sure they listen to each other.
- Don’t be too serious, everything at camp should have some element of fun.
- Don’t lie. If they ask something inappropriate, tell them it is inappropriate and you will not answer.
- Certain topics are off limits. These include drugs, sex, suicide, death, and divorce. If campers want to talk about these, have them talk to you privately and escalate to the Camp Director if necessary.
- Don’t single out campers. (It’s ok to have everyone answer a question, but don’t force it if they are uncomfortable.)
- Make sure the Embers is appropriate for your girls (ages, personality, problems within the group).
Quick embers questions to help get you started:
- What expectations do you have of camp?
- What do you want to achieve this week/summer?
- What will you miss about camp?
- If you could take a photo of any one thing at camp today, what would it be and why?
- What makes a great counselor?
- Would you say that you are lucky or unlucky? Why?
- If you could be any living famous person for a week, who would you be and why?
- What is the greatest joy in your life?
- What part of a S’more would you be and why?
- What is a dream you have had more than once?
- What emotion do you experience the most?
- What are your favorite guilty pleasures?
- What defines a friend?
- What places bring out your creative spirit?
I’ll be adding more great embers ideas as we go on, I’ve had a lot of success with them at camp this year, the campers loved them!
~Zigg