Dear Jewell County Counselors,
Thank you for volunteering to serve as a counselor at the Great Northwest 4-H Camp on June 15-19,
2016.
The Post Rock District will provide counselor transportation to Rock Springs for 4-H Camp. We will
leave the Mankato Office on Wednesday, June 15, at 10:30a.m. This will allow time for lunch before
arriving at Rock Springs. Please bring money for lunch. If you have other arrangements for getting to
Counselor Training, please inform the Mankato Office.
You are responsible for arranging your own ride home from camp on Sunday, June 19th. Please let the
Mankato Office know your transportation arrangement so we can ensure all counselors and campers
leave with a trusted adult.
I hope you are excited about the role you will play in providing a wonderful experience for the campers.
To help prepare you for this task, a training is planned. Counselor training will begin on Wednesday,
June 15, at 1:30p.m. We will arrive at Leadership Lodge to unload your luggage and then proceed to the
lower level of Heritage Hall.
During camp, you will be paired with another counselor and share responsibilities. Being a counselor is a
24-hour a day job. Counselors should not expect camp to be a “vacation.” You will be in total charge of
your group during the entire camp time. This is a challenging and exhausting responsibility, but it can
also be a very rewarding one. A successful counselor will try to create an atmosphere of fun and
fellowship that is so strong your group will want to go to camp again next year.
Some things you will want to bring to make your job as counselor easier are: Large envelopes – we
provide a banking system to help campers keep track of their money. Ziplock bags are useful for storing
items for campers. You will also find that a pencil, notepad, refillable water bottle and alarm clock are
essential to the successful camp counselor. You must bring your own backpack to carry items in. Cell
phones can be used on a VERY limited basis, and should never be used in front of campers other than as
a watch/clock. Reminder: there is no coverage at the camp.
Please have some fun activities in mind to use when you are getting your campers settled into their
cabin/tent. Be creative!!! If you plan something special, you will need to bring the supplies you will
need for this activity. One of the successful ideas for getting acquainted is a small goodie bag to give to
the campers.
The following dress code will be followed at camp. This is for all campers, counselors, agents, and
adult volunteers. Dress should reflect well on the camper and the 4-H program. Jeans and other clothing
should be in good repair. Blouses, shirts, and t-shirts are acceptable. Crop tops should be at least waist
length. NO halter tops or halter dresses. No spaghetti strap tank tops. Shorts, skirts, and dresses must be
fingertip length or longer. No shirts, t-shirts, caps or etc. with offensive sayings or logos. Boys should
wear shirts at all times, except when in the pool. Girls should wear cover-ups over swimsuits at all times,
except when in the pool.
Visit the Post Rock District’s website at www.postrock.ksu.edu to review The Camp Counselor’s
Manual. Other camp information posted online includes: Craft Options, Souvenir Prices, Clover Corner
Snack Prices, Rock Springs Map, Code of Conduct, and the Camper Guide for each county. You can
find the resources under 4-H Youth Development > Forms/Resources.
It is very important that you come to camp with a positive attitude and a goal to concentrate on helping
your campers have a good time. As a counselor you are responsible for an impressionable group of
young people who will be relying on you for guidance and support for having a good camping
experience.
Things to bring with you:
 Backpack - to help you carry items.
 A camp banking system will be used to keep track of campers money so a few large envelopes
might come in handy.
 Ziplock bags (several) are always useful for storing items for campers as well.
 A pencil & notepad
 Refillable water bottle
 Alarm clock
 Personal articles (towels, washcloth, soap, etc.)
 Clothes: everyday jeans, shirts, shorts, underwear, socks, etc. – refer to dress code
 Swim suit – refer to dress code
 Rain gear, light weight jacket and/or sweater.
 Comfortable walking shoes: tennis shoes are best (something you can walk in the creek, but yet
wear for everyday). Close-toed shoes are required for riding horses.
 Insect repellent and sunscreen
 Bedding: pillow, sleeping bag or bed roll (mattresses are furnished)
 Camera & film (disposable is a good idea)
 Flashlight
 Large trash bags can help separate wet and dry items when re-packing and protect your belongings
during check-out.
 Money for snack bar etc.
I, Nora Rhoades, will be the go-to chaperone for Jewell County campers and counselors at camp. My
cell phone is 785-282-4955. I am very proud of each of you for volunteering to take on this
responsibility. Please let me know if you have questions.
Sincerely,
Nora Rhoades
Post Rock District Extension Agent