Staff Development & Coaching

Two ways to grow your camp’s culture and climate— choose the path that fits your season.

At the School Culture and Climate Initiative, we help camps build strong, supportive climates where staff and campers thrive. We offer two complementary approaches to get there: hands-on professional development workshops that build skills and knowledge fast, and personalized coaching that provides ongoing, one-on-one and small group support throughout your season.

Workshops are delivered by our expert team and bridge the gap between research and real-world practice — perfect for building a shared foundation across your whole staff in a single session or short series. Coaching, on the other hand, is a deeper partnership: one-on-one or small-group support that follows an individual staff member or team through real challenges as they arise, ideally across a full camp season.

Whichever path (or combination) fits your camp, all of our work is grounded in the same goal: integrating social-emotional learning (SEL), core values, and character development into everyday camp life.

Workshops open the door. Coaching walks you through it.

At a Glance

	Professional Development	Coaching
Format	Workshops — single sessions or short series	One-on-one or small group, ongoing
Best For	Building shared knowledge across your whole staff	Supporting individual growth and specific challenges
Timing	Flexible length, in-person or virtual	Ideally spans a full camp season
Delivered By	Our expert partners	Our dedicated coaches

Explore Our Workshop Topics

Staff-Focused Mental Health & Wellness

Adult SEL Competencies

Strengthen the social-emotional skills and character strengths of camp staff to lay the foundation for a values-driven camp community.

Adult Social-Emotional Learning Competencies

Before SEL can take root in daily practice, it must be modeled by the adults who lead and support campers. These workshops focus on helping camp staff build their own SEL skills — self-awareness, collaboration, and stress management — to create a positive environment. Through reflection and skill-building, participants embark on a personal growth journey that ultimately benefits the entire camp community.

Example Workshops:

The Importance of Adult Social-Emotional Skills: The Foundation for a Thriving Camp Community
Unlocking Your EQ to Enhance Personal and Professional Growth
Self-Care Strategies for Camp Staff
Reaching Our Full Potential by Understanding Our Stress Responses
Prepping Camp Staff to Support Campers' Character Development

Safety & Prevention Community & Belonging Youth-Focused

Bullying & Harassment Prevention

Equip your camp with strategies rooted in core values like respect and empathy to prevent bullying, empower upstanders, and build a safe, character-strong community.

Bullying and Harassment Prevention

Creating a safe camp environment means addressing bullying head-on. These workshops provide tools for prevention, intervention, and empowering bystanders. Sessions can be customized for staff, counselors, families, or campers, ensuring a comprehensive approach to fostering respectful, inclusive spaces.

Example Workshops:

Bullying/Cyberbullying Awareness and Prevention
Beyond Bullying: Preventing and Responding to Bullying and Harassment
Practical Upstander Skills for Campers and Staff Who Witness Bullying Behavior
Ensuring a Safe and Inclusive Camp Environment for All Campers

Leadership Development Data & Planning Community & Belonging

Camp Culture & Climate Improvement

Tailored workshops to guide your camp through sustainable culture and character development using research-based strategies grounded in your core values.

Camp Culture and Climate Improvement

No two camps are alike. These workshops are tailored to your camp's current stage in the improvement process, providing tools and strategies to strengthen climate and culture. Sessions explore sustainable change processes, data-driven planning, and embedding SEL and character development to maximize impact.

Example Workshops:

The Fundamentals of Camp Culture and Climate, SEL & Character Development
Creating a Camp Climate that Promotes a Sense of Connection and Belonging
Improving Camp Climate with Research-Based Engagement Strategies
Data-Driven Decision Making and Planning for Camp Climate Improvement
Strategies for Improving Climate by Elevating Camper Voice

Community & Belonging Staff-Focused Leadership Development

Culturally Competent Camps

Foster inclusivity and strengthen shared core values by building staff capacity to navigate cultural differences, implicit bias, and equity-driven practices.

Culturally Competent Camps

As the campers you serve become more diverse, staff need the knowledge and skills to create inclusive, equitable environments. These workshops focus on understanding cultural differences, recognizing implicit bias, and fostering respectful, meaningful connections with all campers and families.

Example Workshops:

Introduction to Cultural Competence at Camp
The Impact of Privilege and Implicit Bias on Camp Climate
Addressing Disproportionality and Behavior through SEL
SEL Through an Equity Lens
Handling Difficult Conversations: Strategies to Build a Community of Respect
Purposeful Camper Involvement to Promote Inclusion

Program Strategies Staff-Focused Youth-Focused

Core Values & SEL in Everyday Practice

Bring core values, SEL, and character development to life across your camp with practical strategies for programming, activity integration, and camper voice.

Core Values and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) in Everyday Practice

These workshops guide camps in understanding, implementing, and integrating SEL practices at both the camp-wide and activity level. From foundational concepts to practical strategies, participants learn how SEL connects to core values and camp climate and how to embed it into everyday programming.

Example Workshops:

Foundations of SEL and Why It Matters
Core Values & SEL Integration Across Camp Activities
Practical Strategies to Help Campers Become More Successful in Camp and Life
Placing Camper Voice at the Center of Core Values & SEL Instruction

Community & Belonging Program Strategies Youth-Focused

Supporting Diverse Needs & Marginalized Campers

Create inclusive camp programs — rooted in core values like belonging and respect — that uplift diverse campers through targeted SEL strategies and interventions.

Supporting Campers with Special Needs and Other Marginalized Populations

Campers with special needs often face additional social and emotional challenges that impact their camp experience. These workshops equip staff with strategies to create inclusive programs, build camper confidence, and implement evidence-based interventions that promote success.

Example Workshops:

How SEL Supports Campers with Special Needs
Strategies for Creating Inclusive Camp Programs
Empowering Marginalized Campers to Help Shape Camp Policy and Programming

Family Engagement Staff-Focused Youth-Focused

SEL for Families

Partner with families to extend SEL and character development beyond camp, supporting campers' emotional growth and values at home.

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) for Families

Families play a vital role in reinforcing SEL skills at home. These workshops provide practical tools and techniques for parents and caregivers to support their children's emotional development, enhance communication, and collaborate with camp staff for camper success.

Example Workshops:

Essential Connections Between Parenting and Social and Emotional Learning
Emotionally Intelligent Parenting
Raising Kind and Caring Children
Parents and Camp Staff Working Together to Promote Social-Emotional Development

Mental Health & Wellness Staff-Focused Youth-Focused

Camper Mental Well-Being

Build staff awareness and skills — grounded in care and compassion — to support camper mental health, stress management, and emotional well-being.

Camper Mental Well-Being

While staff aren't expected to diagnose or treat mental health issues, having a solid understanding of common challenges is essential. These workshops provide practical strategies for supporting campers' mental well-being, recognizing signs of distress, and fostering resilience.

Example Workshops:

Social and Emotional Learning as a Bridge to Mental Wellness
The Need for Coping Skills in an Age of Anxiety
Strategies to Foster Self-Regulation and Emotion Management
The Benefits of Mindful Moments at Camp

Trauma-Informed Mental Health & Wellness Program Strategies

Trauma-Responsive Practices

Empower staff with trauma-informed practices — grounded in empathy and respect — to create safe, character-strong, healing-centered camp environments.

Trauma-Responsive Practices

Many campers carry the impacts of trauma into their everyday environments, affecting their engagement and behavior. These workshops equip staff with trauma-informed practices to create safe, healing-centered environments where campers feel supported and empowered to succeed.

Example Workshops:

The Impact of Trauma
Strategies for Creating a Trauma-Sensitive Environment
Moving from Trauma-Sensitive to a Healing-Centered Approach
A Trauma-Informed Approach to Brain Regulation so that SEL Practices Can Thrive
Strategies to Support Campers Who Experience the Toxic Stress of Poverty

Behavior & Engagement Youth-Focused Program Strategies

Understanding Behavior & Camper Engagement

Discover root causes of camper behavior and learn proactive, values-driven strategies to foster positive engagement, character growth, and collaboration.

Understanding Camper Behavior and Encouraging Positive Engagement

Camper behavior is a form of communication. These workshops help staff look beyond surface behaviors to understand root causes, while providing strategies for fostering camper engagement, building responsibility, and creating a collaborative, respectful camp culture.

Example Workshops:

Discipline Strategies that Build Responsibility and Respect
Helping Campers Find Success Through Positive Self-Talk
Conflict Resolution Techniques that Strengthen Camp Community
Practical Strategies for Encouraging a Growth Mindset
Amplifying Camper Voice to Maximize Engagement

Staff-Focused Mental Health & Wellness

Strengthen the social-emotional skills and character strengths of camp staff to lay the foundation for a values-driven camp community.

Adult Social-Emotional Learning Competencies

Example Workshops:

The Importance of Adult Social-Emotional Skills: The Foundation for a Thriving Camp Community
Unlocking Your EQ to Enhance Personal and Professional Growth
Self-Care Strategies for Camp Staff
Reaching Our Full Potential by Understanding Our Stress Responses

Safety & Prevention Community & Belonging Youth-Focused

Equip your camp with strategies rooted in core values like respect and empathy to prevent bullying, empower upstanders, and build a safe, character-strong community.

Bullying and Harassment Prevention

Example Workshops:

Bullying/Cyberbullying Awareness and Prevention
Beyond Bullying: Preventing and Responding to Bullying and Harassment
Practical Upstander Skills for Campers and Staff Who Witness Bullying Behavior
Ensuring a Safe and Inclusive Camp Environment for All Campers

Leadership Development Data & Planning Community & Belonging

Tailored workshops to guide your camp through sustainable culture and character development using research-based strategies grounded in your core values.

Culture and Climate

Example Workshops:

The Fundamentals of Camp Culture and Climate, SEL & Character Development
Creating a Camp Climate that Promotes a Sense of Connection and Belonging
Improving Camp Climate with Research-Based Engagement Strategies
Data-Driven Decision Making and Planning for Camp Climate Improvement
Strategies for Improving Climate by Elevating Camper Voice

Community & Belonging Staff-Focused Leadership Development

Foster inclusivity and strengthen shared core values by building staff capacity to navigate cultural differences, implicit bias, and equity-driven practices.

Culturally Competent Camps

Example Workshops:

Introduction to Cultural Competence at Camp
The Impact of Privilege and Implicit Bias on Camp Climate
Addressing Disproportionality and Behavior through SEL
SEL Through an Equity Lens
Handling Difficult Conversations: Strategies to Build a Community of Respect
Purposeful Camper Involvement to Promote Inclusion

Program Strategies Staff-Focused Youth-Focused

Bring core values, SEL, and character development to life across your camp with practical strategies for programming, activity integration, and camper voice.

Core Values & Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) in Everyday Practice

Example Workshops:

Foundations of SEL and Why It Matters
Core Values & SEL Integration Across Camp Activities
Practical Strategies to Help Campers Become More Successful in Camp and Life
Placing Camper Voice at the Center of Core Values & SEL Instruction

Community & Belonging Program Strategies Youth-Focused

Create inclusive camp programs — rooted in core values like belonging and respect — that uplift diverse campers through targeted SEL strategies and interventions.

Supporting Campers with Special Needs and Other Marginalized Populations

Example Workshops:

How SEL Supports Campers with Special Needs
Strategies for Creating Inclusive Camp Programs
Empowering Marginalized Campers to Help Shape Camp Policy and Programming

Family Engagement Staff-Focused Youth-Focused

Partner with families to extend SEL and character development beyond camp, supporting campers' emotional growth and values at home.

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) for Families

Example Workshops:

Essential Connections Between Parenting and Social and Emotional Learning
Emotionally Intelligent Parenting
Raising Kind and Caring Children
Parents and Camp Staff Working Together to Promote Social-Emotional Development

Mental Health & Wellness Staff-Focused Youth-Focused

Build staff awareness and skills — grounded in care and compassion — to support camper mental health, stress management, and emotional well-being.

Camper Mental Well-Being

Example Workshops:

Social and Emotional Learning as a Bridge to Mental Wellness
The Need for Coping Skills in an Age of Anxiety
Strategies to Foster Self-Regulation and Emotion Management
The Benefits of Mindful Moments at Camp

Trauma-Informed Mental Health & Wellness Program Strategies

Empower staff with trauma-informed practices — grounded in empathy and respect — to create safe, character-strong, healing-centered camp environments.

Trauma-Responsive Practices

Example Workshops:

The Impact of Trauma
Strategies for Creating a Trauma-Sensitive Environment
Moving from Trauma-Sensitive to a Healing-Centered Approach
A Trauma-Informed Approach to Brain Regulation so that SEL Practices Can Thrive
Strategies to Support Campers Who Experience the Toxic Stress of Poverty

Behavior & Engagement Youth-Focused Program Strategies

Empower staff with trauma-informed practices — grounded in empathy and respect — to create safe, character-strong, healing-centered camp environments.

Understanding Camper Behavior and Encouraging Positive Engagement

Example Workshops:

Discipline Strategies that Build Responsibility and Respect
Helping Campers Find Success Through Positive Self-Talk
Conflict Resolution Techniques that Strengthen Camp Community
Practical Strategies for Encouraging a Growth Mindset
Amplifying Camper Voice to Maximize Engagement

What Coaching Looks Like

Our coaches partner with camp staff and leadership to identify personal development goals and provide modeling, observation, and feedback — timed to fit your camp season.

Coaching Offerings

Co-Planning

Partnering with camp staff to build plans and programs that weave SEL, core values, and culture into everyday camp life.

Goal-Setting

Identifying clear, personalized goals that guide each coaching relationship forward.

Co-Facilitating

Facilitating alongside camp staff in real time to model strategies as they unfold.

Modeling

Demonstrating practices live, for one staff member or a whole team, to make new skills concrete.

Observation & Feedback

Observing camp activities and offering specific, actionable feedback for growth.

Staff benefit by:

Receiving specific feedback that allows for skill development and growth.
Setting personal goals that allow each staff member to maximize their full potential.
Cultivating camp spaces where the environment is positive and engaging.
Developing and managing nurturing relationships with campers.

Leadership benefit by:

Receiving tools to help staff better collaborate, manage stress, and maintain their overall well-being.
Collaborating with the coach regularly to ensure positive outcomes across the camp community.