De-escalation Techniques for Camper Conflicts
When working as a camp counselor, you will likely encounter youth campers of various ages. And whether these campers are toddlers or teenagers, there’s always a possibility for conflicts to arise. Depending on campers’ developmental stages, such conflicts could be triggered by disagreements with others, difficulties adjusting to new environments or general feelings of discomfort (e.g., hunger and fatigue). These conflicts may even lead to meltdowns, which could entail intense emotional outbursts or physical reactions (e.g., screaming, crying, kicking, biting or punching).
When these situations occur, it’s important that you implement effective de-escalation measures and do what you can to ensure the safety of everyone involved (including yourself). Keep reading to learn more about ways to properly manage camper conflicts.
De-escalation Techniques
Different camper conflicts will warrant varying responses. Nonetheless, you can typically implement the following de-escalation strategies amid such scenarios:
Respond. First, safely intervene and either redirect or put a stop to the incident altogether. If any campers are engaging in physical reactions or altercations, follow all applicable workplace violence response protocols. This may entail separating those involved, seeking medical care (if necessary) and reporting the incident. Be sure to direct campers through these protocols in a calm manner and give them time and space to process their emotions. Once everyone involved regains their composure, sit them down separately and gather key details regarding the incident.
Resolve. Upon learning the details of the incident, walk those involved through the resolution process. Establish ground rules to ensure everyone treats each other with respect and focuses on the incident at hand instead of bringing up past issues. From there, encourage campers to take responsibility for their behaviors and reward them for owning up to their mistakes. Then, discuss healthy ways to prevent similar incidents in the future. When doing so, remember to be collaborative rather than preachy; the goal is to empower campers to improve or enhance their coping and resolution skills.
Restore. After conducting the resolution process, have those involved reconcile their differences and make amends with anyone they may have hurt. Be sure to place the focus on repairing relationships rather than receiving punishment. If workplace policies permit it, these campers can then rejoin the group or activity they were part of before the incident took place.
Refocus. At this stage, it’s best to move on and resume camp activities as planned. Avoid dwelling on the incident or ostracizing those involved, and make sure other campers follow suit. At the end of the camp session, ensure the parents or guardians of those involved are fully briefed on the incident and how it was handled. If the incident repeats itself, revisit the previously discussed resolution methods.
Additional Best Practices
In addition to the previously mentioned de-escalation measures, consider these best practices for handling camper conflicts:
Try to prevent these incidents from occurring in the first place by taking steps to calm campers down before they can get overly upset or inconsolable. This may entail distracting them with a new toy, showing them a funny video or having them take a break in a different room or area. However, understand that such situations can sometimes be unavoidable.
Don’t try to reason with campers when they are experiencing the peak of their emotions, as they won’t be able to think logically during this time. Instead, stay patient and focus on reassuring them that they are safe until they calm down.
Refrain from issuing demands or raising your voice. Maintain relaxed facial expressions and body language to avoid contributing to campers’ heightened emotions.
Respect campers’ personal space by staying at least 3 feet away (unless a violent incident needs to be broken up or they specifically ask you to approach them).
Consider kneeling or sitting down to communicate with campers at eye level (depending on their ages and body positions).
Be sure to actively listen to campers’ concerns without being critical or judgmental. Validate their feelings, but don’t justify their actions. Once they calm down, reflect on their needs and advocate for any camp adjustments that could help remove potential triggers and deter future incidents.
Conclusion
Camper conflicts can be difficult to manage. Yet, by following the proper de-escalation strategies and best practices, you can keep these situations under control and promote a safe camp environment.
This Safety Matters flyer is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or legal advice. © 2023 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.