The employee-supervisor relationship is critical to a camp's success. Ideas from psychology, biology, and organizational dynamics illuminate how supervisors interpret certain staff traits and behaviors. The "set-up-to-fail" syndrome is described. Recommendations cover building good relationships and improving communication between supervisors and…

Effective camps share seven habits that are essential elements of success: internal leadership development, explicit expectations for staff, ample camper preparation, personal relationships, supervisors-in-residence, two-way communication flow, and commitment to self-improvement. Three key outcomes for directors, staff, and campers resulting from…

Defines two large categories of risk for camps: relationships and program activities. Relationship risk can be minimized by recruiting qualified staff, providing precamp training, teaching appropriate staff behavior, and defining appropriate touching. Program activity risks can be managed through scheduling responsive to campers' needs and staff…

Evidence from the field of evolutionary psychology suggests inherent reasons for the promotion process triggering negative emotions and behaviors among unsuccessful candidates. To reduce interpersonal casualties related to promotion, camp administration should educate staff about these reactions, provide extra supervisory time for successful…