Abstract
The purpose of this project was to develop materials to train camp counselors to be effective mentors at a summer Horse Camp, including a mentor orientation and training guide. This project addressed the lack of formal training for the camp counselors in this setting by creating an orientation and a training guide to include important information that the camp counselors need to know, including the mission of Horse Camp, a general overview of how to be an effective mentor to the children at Horse Camp, a detailed description of the multiple roles a camp counselor will need to enact, and the expectations that are an essential part of those roles. The goal of this project was to provide a tool for formal training to increase the level of professionalism that the camp counselors display during the mentoring process with children and throughout their tenure at Horse Camp. The material about mentoring was based on scholarly review of research. The training guide also included a review of attachment theory and working models so that camp counselors could develop an appreciation of how mentoring relationships have the potential to offer unique opportunities for children to revise their working models. The manual vi instructs camp counselors to provide consistent care and attention to their mentees to help the mentees to feel worthy of care and increase their confidence in their ability to attain care. The training guide was developed so that it could be used at mentor orientation. The guide provides the order of topics for orientation, during which each topic is designed to provide dynamic social interactions and employ various training techniques, such as role playing and communicating in small and large groups. The training guide and mentor orientation provide a thorough introduction to educating the camp counselors about their roles and expectations as well as how to mentor children at Horse Camp.