What is a Program Leader?
ODS Lingo
Sample Schedule
How to Be a Mentor
How and When to Set Goals
Ways to Be in the Cabin
Skits and Cabin Calls
Shower Time
Being a Guest at Meals
PM Time
Times to Check In with your SLs
Feedback—What to Look For
Ways to Help Returnees Grow
How to Teach an SL to Be a Mentor
Nice Things to Do for Your SLs
Breaks!
Recreation Ideas
Games for Cabin Time
​PL Evaluations

Download PL Handbook as:
                    ​PDF • Word

​BEING A GUEST AT MEALS

• Dining Hall Lingo:

                    — Guest = Adults at the table (staff, SLs, and teachers).
                                        Help with serving and keeping things under control.
                    — Host = Student who picks a guest to sit with. Helps serving.
                    — Jump Up = Student who goes to the kitchen, brings back serving dishes and refills them as needed.

• Be very purposeful about your actions.  Sort of narrate what you are doing and what your host or other guests can/should be doing.
• Make sure you’re keeping an eye on the SL at the other end of your table – they might need reminders to get things going.
• Motivate others to follow table manners by verbalizing them (subtly) and example.
• Being aware of an overworked jump-up. They need time to eat too. Adults at the table can take trips for them, or you can ask other kids at the table to do so.
• Empower your host to feel like they’re doing a lot, but be sure to serve the more challenging things yourself. (They serve ham, you serve mashed potatoes and peas, that sort of thing).
• If you suspect your host is going to make a disaster of water pouring, ask if they’d like to get the cups ready and pass them out while you pour.
• Facilitate appropriate and inclusive conversation. Some ideas:

                    — Would you rather have a third eye or tail?
                    — Favorite, superhero, place on earth, form of potatoes, book?
                    — If you could live anywhere…?
                    — ODS name?
                    — Exotic pet?
                    — A-Z name some animals.
                    — Play 2 truths and a lie.
                    — Trading game – Offering something (unrealistic) to someone, trying to find someone you
                                        would be willing to trade with. (ie. I’d trade you a week long cruise for a pet monkey!)