Whether it’s in summer camp, swim class, dance practice, or otherwise, counselors and coaches play a vital role in the lives of young people–shaping their skills as well as their character. As a counselor, one of your most important responsibilities is to build trust with your kids. This is crucial for not only maximizing your impact but also creating a positive and safe environment. While its importance may seem obvious, its creation can be a little more elusive. One thing is for sure: you can trust the following four handy tips to successfully establish trust with your players or campers.
Be approachable
It’s essential to create an environment where your campers feel comfortable approaching you with any concerns or questions they may have. This is an absolutely pivotal way to build a sense of both emotional and physical safety. Just start by being friendly! Greet your campers with a smile; use open body language; be available to listen to them when they need it. Don’t forget to ask questions too! Actively engaging with your campers and showing genuine interest in their lives can go a long way toward building a rapport that will benefit both of you during your time together.
Be consistent
One of the most important ways to build trust is to be consistent in your behavior and actions. This helps campers feel secure and know what to expect from you, whether that’s around rewards, consequences, your general temperament, or overall procedures. If you say you’ll do something, follow through with it. If you set rules and boundaries, stick to them. By being consistent, you’ll show your campers not only that rules matter but that they can rely on you too.
Be honest
Trust and honesty often find themselves sharing a sentence, and that’s hardly an accident; they’re intrinsically linked. If your campers catch you in a lie, it will be challenging to then rebuild that trust. Be honest with your kids, even if the truth may be difficult or uncomfortable. Explaining your reasoning lets them know that you’re making decisions in their best interest. If your campers understand your thought process, they’re more likely to trust your decisions. Just choose your words appropriately, depending on their age or the specific circumstances.
Honesty, in turn, builds respect, and it shows your campers that you value them enough to tell them the truth. However, respect is a two-way street, and it’s essential that everyone shows others the same respect they expect from them. This applies to you as much as it does your campers. Listen to their opinions and ideas, and treat them with kindness and dignity. Ultimately your goal is make their voice feel valued without undermining your control of any given situation. While this may seem like a difficult balance, it is one that is built brick by brick, and with time, your patience and honesty will be rewarded.
Be present
Relationships are built in the present, not the past. Pay attention to your campers, and be actively engaged with them. When they talk to you, put your phone down, and give them your full attention. By being present, you’ll show your campers that you care about them and that they’re important to you. While teaching them the value of patience is important (especially if they want to talk to you and you’re busy with a pivotal aspect of operations), listening to the voice you’ve empowered them to have can keep them in your corner for the present and the future.
When it comes to campers’ parents (and your staff), you can keep them in your corner too–with a little help from Captyn. Our software is a comprehensive solution that enables organizers to provide an exceptional experience for all users. By utilizing Captyn’s features, you can streamline your operations, simplify registration, and save time. Specifically, our platform can massively reduce strain by optimizing tasks like check-in, customer communication, and more. On average, some users save 40 hours per week of staff time!
Captyn can be a pivotal part of establishing trust and efficiency among staff, parents, and campers alike. Let us help you lay the foundation for a successful team effort, making your camp or practice a place where everyone can trust they’ll have fun.
