COUNSELOR IN TRAINING

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Attention Getters

Not all counselors will be able to use all of these techniques, make sure that you use techniques that you are confident with.     Be sure that your attention getter is appropriate for the activity that you are about to start.  For example, do not use screaming hanky to get campers attention before a low level activity, like closing.  Remember you are dealing with children and no matter how effective your techniques are, you may never be able to get every camper quiet every time.  Be patient, move onto another technique.

Verbal:

L: Y-M                                    C: C-A

L: Tarzan                               C: Jane

L: Power Clap                      C: (Clap once)

L: Clap once if you can hear me       C: (Clap Once)

L: Clap twice if you can hear me      C: (Clap Twice)

L: When the hand goes up                 C: The mouth goes shut

 Screaming Hanky/Paper/Ball: Leader raises hanky or piece of paper in the air and drops it.  While the paper or hanky is in the air campers yell/scream as loud as they can.  When it hits the floor they are silent.  This can also be done with a ball or your hand.  Open arms up wide and when they are together, everyone is quiet.

 Whisper: Leader begins the whisper to the camper in the front of the group, soon all the campers will be wanting to know the secret and straining to hear the counselor.

 Put Your Hand: Leader quickly names various places for campers to put their hands, finally ending with the lips.

 Simon Says: Leaders can begin with active motions then eventually move to Simon says, sit down.

 Roller Coaster: Leader tells kids they are going on a roller coaster ride, campers sit close together in the line with each camper’s legs around the person in front of them.  The counselor sits in front of the group and leans to one side and the other while giving explanations, we’re going around a tight curve…

 Choo-Choo: Counselors tell campers that they are going on a train ride.  Campers get into line like trains (noise & motion)

 Positive Reinforcement:: Counselors distribute stickers, or awards to those sitting quietly.  Very effective, but don’t over use, or it will turn into bribery.

 Group HUGGLES: Bring kids close together and be in a position to be seen and heard.  Sit them all down if needed.

 Freeze and Melt: Campers qiggle and freeze various body parts, leading up to their whole body, including their voice.  Then have them melt and sit down.

 Penny Whistle or Kazoo: Let campers know this is the focusing sound

 Hands up Cheeks out: Leaders put their hands up above their heads, campers put hands up and puff cheeks out.

 Dead Ants: Campers drop to the ground with arms and legs up in the air.

 Freeze Monster: Leader comes into room and pretends to be the Freeze Monster.  When they touch the campers, they must freeze in place and make the strangest face they can.

 Da Da Da Dat Dat Dat Dat: Leader says the first part, campers clap, stomp with second part. Continue this a couple of time and you’ve got them.

 Campers repeat Leader: Repeat after me…

 Counselor symbols: Each counselor has a different symbol/action.  The lifeguard comes in and all campers put their heads down and pretend to swim,

 Have kids raise both their arms while breathing in and then bring arms down collectively while saying SHHHHHHH.  Everyone is silent when arms are down

 Have campers put fingers in their ears or hands over their ears.  It’s amazing that when they cannot hear each other, they stop talking.

 Have campers hold up all 5 fingers and collectively count down 5-4-3-2-1-0 when you get to zero everyone is silent.

Send e mail to ymca_cit@yahoo.com with questions or comments.                                                Last modified: January 21, 2007