Our Staff
Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times® takes very seriously the trust parents instill when choosing others to look after their child’s health, safety and welfare. We also acknowledge that campers want to feel safe and supported by positive adult role models who can also create fun experiences for them to enjoy.
Below you find the answers to frequently asked questions about our professional Camp Staff and how we choose the best volunteer Camp Staff to lead all the fun that happens at Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times®.
If you have any additional questions about our staff, please feel free to contact us at 800.626.9275.
What are the qualifications of the Camp Directors?
Our full-time camping professionals have a combined total of more than 40 years of camp management and programming experience. We are proud that our professional staff members are international leaders in the camping industry. Their expertise in working with a highly specialized population has been sought by dozens of worldwide organizations seeking to establish oncology and other special-needs camps.
- Chad Edwards – Program Director
Chad began as a volunteer cabin counselor in 2002 and joined our staff as Program Director in 2005. Chad is responsible for the recruitment, screening and training of over 300 volunteer counselor and activity staff. Chad is also responsible for the design of all the Summer and Family Camp programs. A member of the American Camp Association, Chad is a camp accreditation visitor of other quality camp programs.
For our complete staff directory Read more>
Who are the counselors and how are they screened?
Our staff is composed of volunteers from the ages of 19 to 70+ years. Each volunteer has passed an extensive interview and background screening process that includes education verification, work verification, provide three written references that are verified, National Sex Offender Registry clearance and a Live Sacn fingerprint criminal background check. All of our volunteers set goals and receive evaluations based on their performance during and after each Camp session. We are proud that 65% of our counselors return to Camp annually to create a special, personalized experience for your child.
What type of training do the counselors receive?
Each volunteer counselor must complete three days of training before they are introduced to your child. During this time, our staff receives training in many areas related to Camp counseling, youth development and supporting children impacted by cancer. Examples of some of the topics in which our staff receive training include:
Establishing cabin and Camp rules: Early in your child’s Camp experience, your child’s cabin counselors will spend time with their cabin to define appropriate behavior and establish cabin living rules. These rules are posted and begin a foundation to foster camper respect and cabin order.
Limiting idle time: At Camp we have many activities to engage and involve your child’s interests and energy. Staff is also provided and trained in the use of “hip pocket” games and activities to keep your child supervised and involved in positive, fun play.
Appropriate supervision: The care and safety of your child is the most important responsibility we have. Cabin staff is trained, supervised and held accountable for the constant and appropriate supervision of your child. We cannot be your child’s parent, but while at Camp, we can take care of them as if we were.
How to listen and what to listen for: We train each staff member to spend quality time with each camper, to discover their likes and dislikes. Getting to know your child as an individual helps our campers and staff members develop trust, rapport and promotes communication. A calming and sensitive discussion with a counselor will frequently help alleviate campers’ fears and prevent any problems.
Being a positive role model: Staff members’ behavior must epitomize the behavior they hope to see in their campers. Staff behavior sets the tone for acceptable camper behavior.
Discipline intervention: The best way to handle discipline problems is to know what to do and what NOT TO DO should problems occur. Staff training includes positive intervention skills like conflict resolution techniques that promote communication and respect. In addition, training addresses staff interventions that are unacceptable (i.e., physical punishments, name-calling, cursing and abusive language, making threats, withholding meals, etc.).
How many counselors are in each cabin?
Winter and Summer Youth Camp: Each cabin has 2 - 3 trained adult counselors. The number of counselors increases depending on the special care needs of the campers in each cabin.
Family Camp: For our Family Camp sessions, counselors, who have attended past summer youth sessions, serve as hosts and activity leaders to ensure both parents and children have a supportive and fun weekend retreat.
