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GCA takes pride in having a united team of professionals who truly care about the children they are serving, and who are uniquely situation to meet their special needs. The staff training session sets the tone for the camp.

GCA’s entire staff, without exception, assembles and takes a bus together to arrive at the camp site four days before the campers. The trainer (usually the Director) is in charge of staff training and uses the time to have the staff define goals they want to achieve through camp, goals they want the campers to achieve. The staff goes over the staff manual, engages in leadership games, discusses issues that are germane to dealing with children coming from difficult, underprivileged backgrounds. The most important lesson that is taught during the training session is how to praise and raise the self-esteem of campers in a meaningful way.

At the training session the scheduled for the week is discussed, as our counselors’ individual duties. Mock classes are held in different subjects so counselors can get an idea of what activities other than their own are taking place. There are campfires, evening programs, and other activities similar to what the campers will be doing. This acclimates the counselors to camp life and makes them familiar with camp activities and what the children will be experiencing.

Immediately after the training period, GCA asks each staff member to evaluate training. GCA’s senior staff reviews the evaluations and considers revisions to the program. The project will be completed prior to each camp.