go and tailor the letter to the position the person is looking for — make the letter address topics that are going to be important for the new position.” Just as we teach our staff members that our camper’s activity skills translate into life skills (fire building teaches perseverance; a capture the flag game leads to a sportsmanship lesson, etc.), we need to sketch out for the reviewer how camp staff skills have prepared the individual for this next opportunity. If the new job involves working with kids, the connections are more obvious: The more sample letters you can read and the more perspectives you can gain will help you immensely when writing letters of reference. But beware not to plagiarize or fall into the trap of relying on a template! These types of letters can be counterproductive. Here are three resources you can check out to get your ideas flowing or get over writer’s block: 1. Recommendation Letters That Made a Difference series by Dr. Nancy L. Nolan. This series will give you examples of all different sorts of reference letters for a multitude of applications, from undergraduate programs through law school (Magnificent Milestones, Inc., 2010–2012). 2. Perfect Phrases for Letters of Recommendation by Paul Bodine, part of the Perfect Phrases series. If you are stumped on how to start your letter, how to describe a specific skill, or how to tailor a letter to a particular program, this book has a wealth of information. One chapter that could be of great use to a camp director is “Perfect Phrases for Raw People Skills — The Human Touch” (McGraw- Hill, 2010). 3. How to Write Powerful Letters of Recommendation by Susan Whalley, M Ed. Although geared toward teachers, this book includes a list of descriptive words, a step-by-step guide, and fifty-two sample letters (Educational Media Corporation, 2000). 34 CAMPING magazine • November/December 2013 When working with children, Melinda is patient and empathetic — when she listens to a child, she can make the child feel like he or she has have all of her attention. Her relationship building and devotion to kids’ needs has really shown each summer when returning campers arrive at camp. They are always eager to see Melinda, and she is just as excited to see them. Teaching, social work, community services — these are somewhat selfexplanatory. But how does camp relate to less-obvious opportunities? Medical School: I am certain Ms. Heisel would be an excellent member of your medical school program and also an excellent medical doctor. I know this because I have seen her persevere in tough conditions and high-pressure circumstances. Her seven years at camp working with our camper population have given her a wealth of real-life experience on how to interact with kids of all ages, from all backgrounds, and in all different situations. Her work with children at Camp Al-Gon-Quian has also allowed her to make an educated choice about her career path as a pediatrician. Yes — camp relates to medical school. The applicant has learned analysis, decision-making, and empathy skills. Use specific examples to show these skill sets. Military Service: One day at camp this summer, we had to execute a missing swimmer drill as a “buddy tag” was left on the board af ter swimming activities. Joseph was on-point for the swim area during this time and organized all of the staf f members for our emergency procedure. Fortunately, we found the swimmer safe on land. Although this was a frightening circumstance, it showcased Joseph’s leadership abilities. Under pressure, Joseph showed strong communication skills and reacted quickly and appropriately. Yes — camp relates to military service. The applicant has learned how to be cool under pressure, how to follow protocol, and how to lead others. This one example illustrates all of these traits and also shows the power of an anecdote. Business School: Dan has inspired a generation of teens to continue the youth development work he has done within the camp program. Many of our younger staff members cite conversations or experiences they have had with Dan when they are asked about mentors and people who have helped them realize their own full potential. His ability to inspire and Join Us in Orlando! ACA National Conference February 5–8, 2014 www.ACAcamps.org/conference
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