Camp Wing Haven Counselor/Helper Packet

Thank you for volunteering for our very special, very popular, very FUN! Camp Wing Haven! This packet contains useful information for success as a Camp Wing Haven counselor or helper this summer. If you have any questions or concerns prior to or during camp, please reach out to Camp Directors: Tracey Roode, Education Coordinator (704.331.0664 ext. 104) or, Andrea Funk, Director of Education & Community Engagement (704.331.0664 ext. 120).

Camp Songs

Silent Call & Response

Safety Information

Counselor/Helper Responsibilities & Expectation

Camp Wing Haven songs

Sweet Mrs. Clarkson (to the tune of Old MacDonald)
Sweet Ms. Clarkson had a garden, E-I-E-I-O!
And in her garden she had some squirrels…E-I-E-I-O!
with a chitter-chatter here and a chitter-chatter there
Here a chitter, there a chatter, everywhere a chitter-chatter,
Sweet Mrs. Clarkson had a garden, E-I-E-I-O!

VERSES: ...had some birds…tweet-tweet.....had some chipmunks…scamper-scamper......had some rabbits…nibble-nibble…

Hermie the Worm
I was sittin’ on a fence post, 
Chewin’ my bubblegum (smack-smack-smack-smack)
Playin’ with my yo-yo (woo-woo)
When along came Hermie the Worm
And he was THIS big
And I said, “Hermie, what happened?”
“I ate breakfast”

Repeat with:  “I ate lunch”     “I ate dinner”     “I ate dessert”    “I burped”

Little Green Frog
MmmAck went the little green frog one day,                            
MmmAck went the little green frog.                                              
MmmAck went the little green frog one day,                                         
And the Little Green Frog went MmmAck MmmAck MmmAckMmmAck    

All the other frogs go fro-di-oh-di-oh-di-oh, fro-di-oh-di-oh-di-oh, fro-di-oh-di-oh-di-oh
All the other frogs go Fro-di-oh-di-oh-di-oh
But the Little Green Frog went Mmack MmmAck MmmAckMmmAck    
Swish-sway went the little green tree one day,                                         
Swish-sway went the little green tree one day,                                       
And the little green tree went swish-sway, swish-sway,
(faster) swish-sway, swish-sway                     

All the other trees go photosynthesis, photosynthesis, photosynthesis
All the other trees go photosynthesis, photosynthesis, photosynthesis
But the little green tree went swish-sway, swish-sway, swish-sway, swish-sway            

Bloom Chicka Bloom (a repeat after me song)

Flower style

I said a bloom chicka bloom
I said a bloom chicka bloom
I said a bloom chicka bloom
I said a bloom chicka bloom
I said a bloom chicka rocka chicka rocka chicka bloom
I said a bloom chicka rocka chicka rocka chicka bloom

Oh yeah Oh yeah Alright Alright
One more timelOne more time

Gardener style

I said a prune chicka prune
I said a prune chicka prune
I said a prune chicka prune
I said a prune chicka prune
I said a prune clippa planta clippa planta clippa prune 

Oh yeah Oh yeah Alright Alright
One more time One more time

Song bird style

I said a flap chicka flap
I said a flap chicka flap
I said a flap chicka flap I said a flap  chicka flap I said a flap chicka flap-a chicka flap-a chicka flapI said a flap chicka flap-a chicka flap-a chicka flap

Oh yeah Oh yeah Alright Alright
One more timeOne more time

Take Me Out to the Backyard (to the tune of Take Me Out to the Ballgame)
Take me out to the backyard,
Take me out with the bugs!
Ladybugs, beetles and dragonflies,
If I look hard I may even see slugs (ew!).
Look, look, look in the bushes
Under rocks, on a tree, in the lawn--
For it's one, two, three bugs I see
And now they're gone!

It Must Be a Bird (preview video)
Look, there, flying in the air - it looks like a bird!
Look high, soaring through the sky - it might be a bird!
And we’ll know because...
Birds have beaks! Birds can sing!
They’ve got lots and lots of feathers on their wings!
Look, there, flying in the air - it looks like a bird!

Now, move your arms like a bird (flap, flap flap)
Now, sing a song like a bird (“tweet, tweet, tweet”) 
Now, move and sing like a bird (flap and “tweet”)
Look, there, flying in the air - it looks like a bird!
Look high, soaring through the sky - it might be a bird!

Head, Thorax, Abdomen (to the tune of “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”)*
Head, thorax, abdomen, abdomen
Head thorax, abdomen, abdomen
Insect parts that fly in the wind!
Head, thorax, abdomen, abdomen!

*Performed by Counselors and Helpers at Beauty of Bugs morning Habitat Huddle; costumes included! :-)


Silent Call & Response

All Directors, Counselors and Helpers will use a silent call and response strategy, Silent Squirrel, to gain their campers’ attention in the gardens. A silent call is important to use in the gardens due to the gardens being a sanctuary for birds and to be mindful of noise levels for our neighbors. For this method to be most effective, everyone must be consistent with its use. Campers will be introduced to the Silent Squirrel on their first day of camp.

HOW TO USE SILENT SQUIRREL

When you wish for your campers to stop what they are doing and listen, follow these instructions:

  1. Hold your arm up and make the Silent Squirrel hand gesture below

  2. Do not say anything in order to gain your campers attention

  3. When one camper sees the call, they will stop what they are doing, and copy your hand gesture

  4. Other campers will notice and follow suit

  5. Only when you have gained all the campers’ attention, proceed with your verbal instructions


Safety Information

Dehydration, Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke: 

  • See graphic below. Know the signs! 

  • Keep an eye on your campers and each other. Notify a Director of any concerns immediately.


Counselor & Helper Responsibility/Standards & Expectations

As a Counselor or Helper for Camp Wing Haven, you are essential for ensuring a successful Camp session. Your major responsibility is to oversee a group of Campers and help to provide a safe, fun, and exciting Camp experience. 

Your duties as a Counselor or Helper should be taken seriously. Your primary goal will be to know where each of your Campers are at all times and ensure their complete safety. The needs and safety of the Campers in all situations must be considered from the time the Campers arrive at Camp until they are released to their parents or guardians. Beyond that, Counselor or Helper responsibility involves listening, guiding, encouraging and sharing your passion for nature and the outdoors. 

You will never be asked to discipline a child for misbehavior, but always to encourage participation and acceptable behavior. All discipline will be handled by a Camp Director. Likewise, all medical needs and emergencies should be directed immediately to a Camp Director, no matter how small they might appear. 

As a Counselor or Helper for Camp Wing Haven, you are expected to:

  • Attend and actively participate in mandatory Counselor/Helper Orientation;

  • Treat fellow volunteers and Wing Haven staff with respect;

  • Honor the philosophies and standards of Camp Wing Haven;

  • Follow the rules and guidelines of Camp Wing Haven as outlined in this document, as well as those presented at any other time and for any other reason; 

  • Demonstrate an interest in the Camp traditions, ideals, events and activities; 

  • Demonstrate an interest in the Campers, their needs, undertakings and special challenges;

  • Participate in all activities alongside campers with enthusiasm and spirit;

  • Respect the gardens of Wing Haven and all Camp materials, and instruct campers to do likewise;

  • Wear appropriate outdoor clothing, including the Camp Wing Haven t-shirt;

  • Avoid the use of phones or other electronic devices, including earbuds, during camp;

  • Arrive on time and stay for the duration of your volunteer shift;

  • Communicate with the Camp Director proactively if you are unable to make a shift, must leave early, or must arrive late.

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