INTERVIEW PREP ! camp counsellor

tell me about yourself

• hi! im iqra, im just about to finish my seniro year at our lady of mount carmel high school. after senior year, im going to be attending mcmaster for medical radiation sciences.

• i am someone who has a lot of experience working with kids of many different ages

• i’m someone who genuinely enjoys working with kids and making sure they feel safe, included

• i also want to make sure that they are excited about being part of such an amazing experience, a summer camp!

• i love using my creativity to keep the children engaged

• as for mye xperience with working with kids,

• i’ve worked as a camp counsellor leading groups of over 15 children, an afterschool volunteer at PLASP where I led team games and helped schedule activities, and a tutor for students of a variety of ages in different subjects

why do you wnat to work here?

• i want to work at hub climbing because ive always found the sport rock climbing exicting and something ive admoired for a long time

• being part of that environment would be really exciiting for me

• ive also noticed hpw inclusive nd creative some of the events you have been hosting are

  • things like ladies night, yoga classes, and halloween events show the commitment of hub climbing and i love the welcomig community you guys promote and it really stand sout for me

  • it would be amazing rto be able to contribute to a spave that promotes athelticsm. connection, and confidence

  • with my experience of leading group activities, supporting kids with different needs, and beinga ble to be pateint, i think i could add a lot to the team and leanr more myself

  • id love to be part of something positive and inspriring through this really cool sport

how do you handle difficult kids

• one situation i dealt with a kid who would constantly refuse to participate in acvtivities and would often throw small fits

• i realized that if this wanst addressed, their behavuour would continue so i needed to find a way to maintain the positive vibe of the camp and not upset the kid

• i made sure another counsellor knew what i was gonna do so they could take over the activity

• o then pulled the kid aside and spoke to him privately, and i learnt that he felt homesick and left out

• i then gave him special roles during our group games - he helped with setting up the games and help me explained the rules

• his behavior started to improve and he felt more outgoing and engaged

how do you handle difficult parents

what would you do if a camper refuses to participate

• ome time, a younger camper was upset and started crying while we were playing basketball and refused to play

• i had to comfort her and try to make her feel included

• i pulled her adide and asked her privately if she instead wanted to sit down and cheer hher teammates on by the sidelines

• after a few shots, i asked her if she wanted to play and she still refused

• i then thought she could hekp me set uo the next game and she agreed

  • i tried finding a way for the child to still feel included even if they wont to particpaye in a specific activity

what do you do if two kids are arguing

• hile working as a camp counsellor, two kids started arguing during a team-building game and one felt the other wasn’t playing fairly

• as to stop and resplbe the conflict, make suret the rest o the group wasnt phased by this, and get the kids back on track

• i quickly paused the game and pulled them aside to talk it through. I let each child explain their side, reminded them of our teamwork rules, and asked if we shluld make different teams instead

• they agreed and then they continued playing

• by staying calm and neutral without taking sides, the sitaution was able to be resolved quickly.

how do you keep kids engaged throughout the day

• i plan a mix of high-energy and quieter activities to keep things balanced and so that kids do not get too tired

• for example, i might start with an icebreker game so everyone can get to know eah other, then maybe do a clinbing activity, and crafts, and then a group activity

• i also give kids choices to help keep them invested

• if i group of kids start getting tired or bored, i change the game or add something to it to re-ennrgize them

what makes you a great fit

• I’ve worked with kids from a wide range of personalities, learning styles, and needs, including children with disabilities.

• This experience helped me become more empathetic, flexible, and patient.

• I’ve learned to adapt games or instructions, give kids space when needed, and provide extra encouragement to those who need it.

• I try to give extra attention to kids who may need it adn uspport them 1 on 1

• i try to make everyine feel included and happy