Suggestions from Veteran Ironwood Counselors

Cabin Devotions

  1. Ask God during the day to show you what these young people need. Be sensitive.
  2. Have each camper pray out loud but avoid pressure.
  3. Make sure campers sit up during cabin devotions.
  4. Make devotions short and to the point.
  5. Use testimonies—giving thanks, lessons learned, decisions made, etc.
  6. List specific prayer requests for cabin group that God can answer that week.
  7. Re-apply principles taught during the day, but don’t get into a rut.

Lights Out

  1. Wear out the campers during the day.
  2. Allow them to talk quietly for awhile; then tell them to be silent.
  3. Do not allow flashlights; collect them if necessary.

Cabin Unity

  1. Work as a team; get everyone involved.
  2. Be an enthusiastic example; work alongside your campers.
  3. Talk about it!
  4. Have a group memory project.
  5. Challenge other cabin groups.
  6. Emphasize cabin clean-up and win it!

Witnessing to Campers

  1. Ask them to tell how they were saved and about the changes that took place.
  2. Get them alone, one-on-one—during the day, after light bell, after service, etc.
    1. Do it as soon as possible—first day preferably; schedule a definite time.
    2. Use times when walking and waiting in line; buy up the opportunities.
  3. Frequently pray for your campers—individually and by name.
  4. Avoid, “Well, let’s get this part of my job over with.” Genuine concern will be detected by camper.
  5. When a problem arises, approach it as an opportunity to counsel.

Keys to Personal Growth

  1. Memorize God’s Word—include counseling verses in your memory plan.
  2. Have a set time for personal devotions before rising bell.
  3. Deal with all sin in your life (Proverbs 28:13).
  4. Remember, you will be giving an account to the Lord for what you do with the opportunities given you this summer.

Loyalty

  1. To Scripture—if you don’t live it, don’t expect campers to listen when you teach it.
  2. To Ironwood—other staff and the program. Give yourself to the program, and allow God to work through it and you.
  3. To campers—earn their respect and trust.

Things I Learned the Hard Way

  1. An effective counselor spends a lot of time with his campers.
  2. Remember, Christ through me, or maybe in spite of me. Not, me alone.
  3. Do right (James 4:17).
  4. Even though you may not fully understand or agree with an Ironwood policy, actively support and abide by that policy (Hebrews 13:17). The Ironwood leadership is always open to suggestions you may have and is always looking for ways to improve this ministry.

Discipline

  1. Separate the problem camper from the group and deal with him individually. As a last resort, take him to the program director.
  2. A “problem” camper has special opportunities to see God’s hand at work in his life, or yours!