What I’m Seeing Right Now in Camp Leadership
(And Why It’s Starting to Slip)
(And Why It’s Starting to Slip)
I’ve been watching a pattern build this past week. Not one big issue.
A bunch of small ones that all point to the same thing.
There is a sense that our staff aren’t struggling with effort. They are struggling with how and when to lead. And if we don’t name it clearly, I believe that we will pour our efforts into trying to fix the wrong problem.
This is not a skill problem. It’s a Timing Problem
I know that staff and leaders know what they’re supposed to do.
- They’ve been trained.
- They’ve heard the expectations.
But in real moments?
- They hesitate.
- They wait.
- They look around before stepping in.
And that delay, even just a few seconds; that’s where things start to unravel.
What could’ve been a quick redirect turns into:
- a behavior issue
- a group dynamic shift
- or a situation that now needs intervention
This isn’t about knowledge. It’s about decision-making in real time.
Make sure that you're not replacing Leadership with energy.
When things feel off, staff don’t always know what to do, so, they go bigger.
- More hype.
- More volume.
- More activity.
That can lift a moment. But it doesn’t fix what’s underneath. Because energy can distract. It can’t anchor. So the group rides highs and lows instead of settling into trust.
We’re Also Seeing a Rise in “Nice” Leadership
This one’s subtle and it creeps up everywhere. when staff want to connect with kids. That’s a good thing. But without realizing it, they start avoiding:
- correction
- redirection
- clear expectations
Because they don’t want to lose that connection. So, they stay “nice.” And then what happens?
- boundaries get tested
- stronger personalities take over
- quieter kids disappear
Connection without clarity doesn’t create safety. It has the potential to create confusion.
And Underneath All of It, There’s Fatigue
- This is the part most people miss. Staff are carrying a lot of energy early. Emotional load.
- Constant interaction.
- Always being “on.”
So what looks like:
- hesitation
- avoidance
- overuse of energy
Is often just, depletion. And depleted leaders don’t step in early. They wait. I know I have been guilty of that.
Servant Leader Lens
Here’s where I land on all of this. Servant leadership isn’t about being softer.
It’s about being more intentional in the moments that matter.
And that means:
- stepping in earlier, not later
- being clear, not just kind
- reading the moment, not just running the plan
- giving staff tools to act, not just information to remember
And maybe most importantly, holding the standard while increasing the support. That’s the tension. And that’s the work.
Here is what I have used and what I’d be training right now
If I had a staff group in front of me this week, I wouldn’t add more content.
I’d focus on three things:
Early and calm beats late and intense.
2) Be warm and clear
Care about the person. Hold the expectation.
Care about the person. Hold the expectation.
The schedule is a tool. People are the purpose.
That’s it. It's simple. Repeatable. Usable under pressure.
The Question That Matters
If I walked your camp for a day, would I see staff:
- stepping in early
- leading with clarity
- adjusting to the moment
Or, Would I see them:
- waiting
- managing energy
- trying not to get it wrong
Because those are two very different environments.
Final Thought
If your staff only lead when they feel confident, they won’t lead when it matters most.
There’s research behind this:
- The American Camp Association emphasizes that clear expectations and confident staff intervention are key predictors of positive camper behavior outcomes.
- The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning shows that adults who can quickly recognize and respond to social-emotional cues create more stable and supportive group environments.
Come back next week for more insights.
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