Everyday Examples
The following is an assortment of activities that campers (and counselors!) take part in on a regular basis. Although these activities may first appear as purely recreational—or possibly even monotonous to an extent—each possesses a wealth of potential in regards to the development and mastery of the 4-C’s.Cabin Clean Up
Every morning following breakfast, the campers return to their respective cabins and tidy up their quarters. In order to clean the cabin properly, the campers need to engage in two of the 4-C’s—communication and collaboration. It is vital that the campers communicate with one another in order to determine who is responsible for the various tasks that the group needs to complete. Once everyone knows what their specific task is for the morning clean up, the entire cabin needs to work as one unit, or collaborate, so as to complete a task with a partner or possibly avoid impeding the progress of another task. The shift from engaging in effective communication to seamless collaboration that is present in the daily cabin clean up routine is similar in many ways to other group tasks such as group projects, competitions, or performances. Regardless of the location or setting, the shift from communication to collaboration is most always present, whether it is in a classroom, on a sports field, or on a stage.Upon cleaning the cabin, the campers typically create a “kiss up.” which is a brief skit that is meant to curry favor with the cabin inspector. Kiss up’s can vary from transforming the cabin into a haunted house, a zoo, throw a dance party, or just about anything else that will impress the inspector. However, in order to have a successful kiss up the campers need to engage in critical thinking and be creative. It is important to take into account the likes and dislikes of whoever is going to inspect their cabin that day, so that the inspector not only enjoys the gesture of kindness, but also leaves the cabin with a positive impression that outlasts the impact made by the other cabins.
