Cool Counselor Resources

In the Trenches by Bob Ditter

Included in this useful guide is advice on how to talk to a camper, understand a camper's confused actions, and plan for staff training. Survival tips on anorexia, tattling, staff morale, self-control, staff motivation, scary stories, camper crushes, and clinging behaviors are indexed by subject and cross-referenced by question.

How to be a Great Camp Counselor by David Burrow

This comprehensive, step-by-step counselor's manual includes great ideas: working with children, encouraging cooperation, and being an effective leader. This manual tells counselors exactly "what to do" and "what to say" within 3 minutes of encountering common camp problems.

Camp Is for the Camper: A Counselor's Guide to Youth Development by Connie Coutellier and Kathy Henchey

The purpose of this booklet is to provide a resource to assist camp counselors in working more effectively with their campers. The authors have gathered information through discussions with camp directors, workshops, and years of their own practical experience as camping professionals.

Tackling Tough Choices: Discussion-Starting Skits for Teens by Doris Anita Anderson

One reader says: This book does an amazing job of presenting true-to-life scenarios to be acted out by group participants. Each scenario ends with an unresolved problem, which is proceeded by thought-provoking questions for group discussion. I have witnessed first hand how these vignettes stimulate positive problem-solving.

Difficult Conversations by Stone, Patton, Heen

This book walks you through a proven, concrete, step-by-step approach for understanding and conducting tough conversations in ways that reduce defensiveness. Learn to keep the conversation on a constructive track regardless of how the other person responds. Filled with examples from everyday life, it is a lasting classic for families, friends, neighbors, colleagues, educators, and students.

If Anybody Asks Me: 1,001 Questions for Educators, Counselors, and Therapists by Larry Eckert

This handy, portable list of useful questions to be used by group leaders is bound to stir up lively thinking, discussion and debate. Here's a chance for young people to speak out about what is on their minds. This book provides youth ages 11-18 an opportunity to make some decisions - quite possibly for the first time - about a wide range of crucial, yet everyday issues confronted by today's adolescents.

What Young Children Need to Succeed: Working Together to Build Assets from Birth to Age 11 by Jolene L. Roehlkepartain, Nancy Leffert

What Readers say: There are 40 key factors which makes a powerful difference in young people's lives. This book gives more than 1,000 practical. creative ideas for building all 40 assets in children from birth to age 11. The book is chock full of ideas for being a positive influence in the lives of children for use by anyone who spends time with kids.

Native American Stories by Joseph Bruchac, John Hakionhes Fadden

A collection of myths drawn from the native cultures of North America--from the Inuit in the north to the Zuni, Hopi, and Cherokee in the south--each beautifully illustrated by Mohawk artist Fadden. "A good supply of tales written with simplicity and directness. "--Booklist.