Stone Soup Guidelines for Volunteer Friends
- Please arrive on time, so that your team can be ready and relaxed to receive campers who begin arriving early. Generally 30 minutes before the announced time of Stone Soup activity.
- Remember to wear comfortable clothes to allow for movement.
- Bottled water / hot drinks, will be provided. Bring special diet items you may prefer.
- Be prepared to be flexible to unfolding situations and needs with the campers.
- React to the campers as you would anyone else - be friendly, speak normally (not in baby talk or sing-song voice), smile, be positive, look for simple responses, have a good time.
- Express your joy to the parent(s) for bringing __CAMPER'S NAME___ to Stone Soup.
- The correct way to say it: a child or young adult with down's syndrome (with autism, CP[cerebral palsy], learning disabilities, etc) NOT a "down's syndrome child."
- Do not say words that indicate you feel sorry for the parent or the camper.
- Speak clearly and provide clear communication with the campers. Repeat instructions.
- Be patient with yourself and the campers. Enjoy connecting with the parent and child.
- Stay on their level - if the activity requires sitting on the floor for the camper then join them there! Do not stand above or back away from the camper if possible.
- Expect to receive specific management instructions from the director to help you work well with a particular camper and their learning and communication styles.
- Ask questions when you have them! No question is dumb.
- Ask for help if you do not understand what to do during a particular activity.
- If you are a counselor, working with a specific person, remember a special blessing you receive in working with them to share with their parents or caregiver at the end of the evening. This can be something humorous or insightful to you. Recall something specific. "When we were painting the stars I noticed he liked to paint very carefully." "She had such a good time when we did the Hokey-Pokey."
- Pray for the campers throughout the evening. Be an encourager - if they talk about God freely then you can too. Be a good listener and conversationalist. For those who don't talk a lot they will enjoy you carrying the conversation.
- We are connecting to the most neglected people group by American society. Few others are providing this type of outreach to the community, so let's do our best to represent Christ well.
- Because few churches make it easy for a family to attend many parents have not attended a church in a long time or maybe never, be prepared to invite them to Stone Soup regular events. Say, "We would love to have __[Camper]___ at Stone Soup Friday Night or Stone Soup on Sunday, or for one of our special events." Make it a positive statement not one of questioning.
- Review: www.stonesoupnews.com to have a working knowledge about Stone Soup.
- Be prepared to receive a blessing and share your experience with others!