Meet Amber Hill Anderson, a professional mediator and conflict resolution specialist, not to mention former camp staffer and current ongoing enthusiast.
Here’s the reality, camp won’t be all sunshine and rainbows. Sometimes people see and experience things differently. Sometimes there are disconnects. At camp, we have a unique space to approach conflict in a healthy way, given a little direction. We’re not just hoping to give campers a good week, but experiences and skills for a good life.
Amber and Jake will talk strategies and methods for intentionally managing conflict this summer, whether that’s two staff members disconnecting, or a squabble between campers. You’ll leave this episode with a few actionable tools that you or your summer staff can put to use when conflict arises.
I’m obviously bias, but this is a podcast everyone should hear. It ultimately demonstrates how counter cultural and valuable camp is in our society today. One example: I once had a really bad, and self inflicted, experience as a young high school staffer. I was devastated. The “older” staffer I let down did not judge me. He listened to me. He was God in my eyes and that’s the day I learned of the power of unconditional love delivered by an authority I respected. It was a lesson I have never forgotten and have lived out of ever since. That is the power of managing conflict well.