‘Failing to plan is planning to fail’: Teen O.W.L.s think through facilitating fun

By Sara Bell Clifford

“Create something that distracts them from their friends leaving midweek, but also excites them for what is to come,” says one O.W.L. 

Also, it’s to get them out of their comfort zone, foster a sense of community and belonging, and expand their independence and self-confidence. It’s a midweek party for the 8-, 9-, and 10-year-old Mini Campers, planned and led by 15-year-olds in Camp’s leadership training program.

O.W.L.s are the equivalent of C.I.T.s from past decades. They stay at Camp for two weeks, learning about goal-setting, personality types, communication, service, camper needs, and absorbing feedback the first week, and observing unit leaders and activity staff the second week.

On their first Tuesday afternoon, O.W.L.s get a course in activity planning and facilitation. Five groups form. They are given worksheets to help them think through the details. What supplies do you need to gather? How will you handle bathroom breaks? What if the weather doesn’t cooperate? How do you need the unit staff to contribute?

“When people want to create an experience for others, sometimes, they wing it,” Director Evan tells them. “And sometimes it’s great, and sometimes it falls apart.

“Failing to plan is planning to fail.”

Teens at the craft table brainstorm: could they make fairy dust? How about face- or rock-painting? What about coloring sheets? They bring in elements of the week’s and Mini units’ themes: Minecraft, Enchanted Forest, fairies and trolls.

“Risk management,” an O.W.L. reads from the planning sheet. “Are there risks? Will they eat paint?”

Director Evan crouches down, listens to their plans, and fist-bumps them. He encourages them to think about transitions and the sequence of activities.

Later that day, each group will present their plans to Summer Program Coordinator Isabel, and she will ask more questions and give feedback. This gives teens practice in planning a pitch, too. Who’s going to speak, when? How will they sell their ideas to a decision-maker?

When they are 16, O.W.L.s will have the chance to apply for the volunteer C.I.T. program (the “rotators” of previous staff generations). When they turn 17, they can apply to be paid general staff. The O.W.L. program prepares them for those competitive opportunities, as well as for many group-work situations in regular life.

Unlike regular life, though, this challenge encourages costumes, water fights, and general silliness.

Next day, on the grassy bank of Lake Echon, O.W.L.s demonstrate how to careen down a slippery tarp into a puddle of water. They lead campers in making rock friends with googly eyes and glitter glue. They teach unit cheers and songs. They watch over “witch tag,” with campers frozen into enchanted trees until a witch unfreezes and saves them. They stand by as kids plant their heads on the ends of baseball bats, twirl around facing the ground, and stagger to a finish line, laughing all the way.

Forty-nine smiling, slightly dirty, happily exhausted kids: This is what success looks like, Camp style.

Click here to learn more about the (O.W.L.) Ondessonk Wisdom in Leadership program.