From I Can’t Even to I Got This: Addressing Camper Burnout

From I Can’t Even to I Got This: Addressing Camper Burnout        Instructor: Emily Golinsky, Bright Moose Consulting

Care fatigue, empathy erosion, compassion crash…whatever you call it, it’s the look we’ve all seen on a counselor’s face when they’re just done with “that camper.” Even the most dedicated staff reach a point where their patience wears thin and frustration takes over; they become emotionally numb, irritated, or even resentful, and they’re convinced that they’ve already given all they’ve got. This session explores why staff hit that wall and addresses what’s really going on - physiologically, emotionally, and relationally, plus how leaders can support staff in regaining their balance. We’ll explore ways to acknowledge and normalize these moments (without shame!) and introduce practical, ready-to-use strategies to help staff reset in the moment and re-commit to long-term successful re-engagement with campers. And we’ll answer the big question: “What can we do to keep staff grounded and effective when the patience runs out...but the camper’s still there?”

Objectives: Participants will (1) identify signs of staff “camper burnout” and its impact on the staff experience; (2) learn supervisory tools for redirecting staff mindset and behavior in a culture that normalizes support without blame; and (3) build a toolbox of coaching strategies for helping staff re-engage with campers who are experiencing repetitive, challenging behaviors