Debriefing and evaluating a camp

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            If a group dialogue method is used
            The first questions should be about what happened on the camp questions may include
          # What was the highlight
          #     hardest thing
          #     funniest thing
          #     worse thing

            The following questions may ask about thoughts and feelings
          #     What is the most important thing you learnt this camp?
          #     How did you feel when you...
          #     What were you thinking when...

            The final questions relate to the future
          #     What will you start doing after this camp?
          #     What will you stop doing after this camp?
          #     Who will you have to keep you accountable in this?
          #     What are your goals after this camp?
          #     What are the goals of this group after this camp?

            General hints for debriefing
            Always listen carefully to the answers people give. Always be interested in what they have to say.
            This listening provides opportunities for you to ask "Follow up questions" for example

              1.   What was the hardest thing of the camp
              answer: Coming away on a weekend where I didn't know many people

             2. Follow up questions
              So how did that work out for you?
             or Are you glad you came now?
             or Do you now know more people ?

              Always acknowledge an answer.
              Look at the person, say thanks, and if possible use key words or ideas to lead into your next section

              Evaluating a camp

            Evaluating a camp is determining whether the aims and objectives of the camp have been met

            The mid camp evaluation
            It is helpful if at least the key leaders evaluate the camp about half way through the camp.
            This can allow for corrections in areas that need improvement.
            This can also provide a reference point to contrast the first half against the second half in later evaluations. Ideally,
             look at the progress of the camp without taking the whole leadership team away from the campers for too long.

            The specific questions asked in the evaluation will depend on the aims and objectives of the camp.

            However, the following questions are often helpful.
             * Are the campers that came the same as the ones we expected?
             * What were the expectations of the campers and leaders in the early stages
             (including the trip down, opening talk, first small group session)?
             * What are the small groups understanding or interested in from the talks?
             * How are the leaders finding their jobs? Is their confusion over roles or excessive tiredness?
             * How is the camp progressing in the areas of
             -meetings it's aims and objectives
             -discipline
             -relationships

            * It is very helpful for the small group leaders to give feedback to the speaker, on the general content of small group iscussions, especially dealing with the talks.


            The end of camp evaluation
            The end of the camp should be used for evaluation with people who will not be easy to talk to after the camp. This may include campsite staff, and guest speakers. Evaluation among the group leaders and Director generally should not be carried out at the end of the camp because this is a key relationship time for the leaders to be with the campers.

            On adult camps, evaluation forms may be given to campers. If they are used they should be collected before people leave

            The after camp evaluation
            Ideally, all key leaders should meet for an evaluation within two weeks of the camp. This may be done as a major part of the next leaders meeting, or a special meeting. As a last resort get the leaders together before or after church or youth group. This may be used if the above options aren't possible.

            Use the evaluation of a camp to determine whether the aims and objectives of the camp have met. The following questions may be helpful:-

             * Read each aim and objective and ask how we went.
             * The same questions used in the mid camp evaluation.
          # What feedback have we had from the campers on the way home?
          # Since the camp?
          # Did we run the camp within our budget?
          # Was the campsite pleased with condition of the site once we had left?
          # This also provides the Director with a good opportunity to de-brief the team.

            Later Evaluations
            Many aims and objectives are integrally linked to things that will occur in the weeks and months to follow the camp.

            For example if the aim of the camp was to make contact with unchurched dads on a father and son camp. It is worthwhile asking, after a few months, what happened with these relationship that were established and developed on the camp.