Preventive · Culture-Building · Hands-On
Routine Magic
A practical framework for designing routines that hold.
At a Glance
A well-designed routine is an upfront investment that pays off every single day of the summer. When campers know exactly what’s expected in a recurring moment, they have repeated opportunities to get it right, and they want to. That success builds on itself. Over time the routine stops being something staff manage and starts being something campers own. Staff step back, campers step up, and the cognitive load for everyone drops significantly.
This training gives staff the six-part framework for building that kind of routine, and the practice time to draft one before the summer starts.
THE PROBLEM
A well-designed routine runs itself. This training teaches staff how to build one.
Recurring moments at camp, transitions, activity starts, meal times, happen dozens of times a summer. Without a routine, each one requires staff to direct, redirect, and repeat themselves. Campers are guessing at what’s expected, and guessing wrong looks like misbehavior. The problem isn’t the kids. It’s the absence of a clear, consistent structure they can learn and follow.
WHAT’S INSIDE
4 Core Modules
Why Routines Matter
A look at what makes recurring moments at camp break down and why a well-designed routine changes them. Staff learn how routines reduce the cognitive load for everyone in the group, give campers repeated opportunities to practice success, and shift over time from something staff run to something campers own. Staff finish by identifying three situations in their own context where a routine would make the biggest difference.
A clear sense of where to focus first
A 6-Park Framework
Plan what you want, quick is king, systematize culture, create shared ownership, low narration, no interruptions. Each part has a specific purpose and a specific payoff. Staff learn the framework and see it demonstrated with real camp scenarios.
A shared planning language the whole staff team can use
Design Time
Staff use the framework to build a routine for one of the situations they identified. The goal is a complete, specific, step-by-step routine they can bring back and run with their group.
A drafted routine ready for real use
Peer Feedback & Revision
Staff share their drafted routines and get structured feedback from peers. They revise based on what they hear. A routine that has been stress-tested by a colleague is significantly more ready than one that hasn’t.
A refined routine and a process for improving future ones
WHO IT’S FOR
Built for
Staff Who Run Activities
NEW COUNSELORS
ACTIVITY SPECIALISTS
RETURNING STAFF
JUNIOR COUNSELORS
GROUP LEADERS
CITS
Designed for any staff member who runs recurring activities or transitions with a group. Works especially well during orientation before the first session, when there’s still time to practice routines before campers arrive.
FORMAT & LOGISTICS
What to Expect
DURATION
1 - 2 Hours
Depends on amount of work & feedback time
DELIVERY
In-Person or Remote
Available on-site at your camp or virtually. Both formats are fully interactive, not just a slideshow.
TIMING
Training or Mid-Season
Works great as a pre-summer orientation session or a mid-season refresher when energy needs a reset.
WHAT PARTICIPANTS WALK AWAY WITH
The six-part framework for designing effective routines
A drafted routine ready to use from day one
A peer feedback process for refining routines over time
A Tier 1 prevention strategy that runs all summer
PAIRS WELL WITH
Build a Full Training Track
STAFF TRAINING · BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT
Classroom Management at Camp
Routines are one of the four core modules in this training. Routine Magic goes deeper on the design process.
STAFF TRAINING · INSTRUCTION-GIVING
Say What You Mean
Clear instructions are what make routines land the first time.
STAFF TRAINING · PROGRAM DESIGN
Activity Planning for Camp
Together these two cover the full arc of intentional program and culture design.
LET’S WORK TOGETHER
Bring This To Your Camp
Tell us a little about your organization and what you're looking for. We'll get back to you within 48 hours to talk through the details, customize the content for your context, and figure out what works for your budget and timeline.
Prefer to reach out directly?
jarod@thrivepointstudio.com