Planning - Organizing a Group Program
Organizational Aids
 Groups that have visited Upham Woods for years utilize many organizational
aids that streamline their program. Adult leaders as well as youth
need organization and structure for a successful visit. This section
is a compilation of ideas from groups, which can organize you and
help you from trying to do "too much."
Just remember the most important preparation is sharing expectations
for the visit. Every one of these organizational aids is useful because
they clearly explain what is expected of the youth in activities,
dining hall, cabins, etc. Adult roles are also clearly outlined so
that everyone knows what they will be doing when they arrive at Upham
Woods. As the group leader, your main responsibility is to distribute
this information far enough in advance of your arrival.
Organizing a Program Booklet for Youth
If you are interested in creating a program booklet, may we suggest
some popular ideas? Some things you might want to include are:
- A statement of goals and objectives
- The daily schedule
- A map of Upham Woods
- A list of teachers/chaperones involved
- A description of teachers'/chaperones' role while at camp (i.e.
who is first aid person, cafeteria person, arts and crafts person,
etc.)
- Group names with a list of youth in each group
- Teachers/chaperones assigned to which groups
- A page for youth expectations/objectives
- Clean-up and table setter assignments
- A map of Black Hawk Island
- Behavior expectations
- Campfire songs
- Scavenger hunts
- Cabin assignments
- Journal pages
- Blank pages for notes on lessons for follow up back in classroom
You can use these suggestions or ask the Program Coordinator for
more.
Youth's Objectives
 Give youth a chance to set down their own objectives or decide
as a group. By letting them have ownership of the experience their
visit to Upham Woods will be greatly enhanced. Students can write
down these thoughts in the booklet. Perhaps these thoughts could
be used as a time capsule for the end of the school year to see how
students have changed. Perhaps they could be used as a "words-of-wisdom" for
the group that comes to camp the next year.
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