DON’T FORGET THE BIG M!
The BIG M a.k.a. the four developmental needs of belonging, independence, generosity, and mastery are
essential pieces of your day camp program. Day camps are designed to support the positive and
successful development of youth by providing the opportunity to make new friendships, learn new skills
and share with others. It is necessary that you consciously plan for the four developmental needs just as
you would pick a theme, recreation, and subject matter. When the BIG M is met in positive ways youth
are more likely to grow into good citizens and contributing members of their families and communities.
Belonging
Youth need to know they are cared about by others and feel a sense of connection to others in the
group. Adults give youth the opportunity to feel physically and emotionally safe while actively
participating in a group.
How will you help youth feel like they are a part of a group immediately upon arriving at your program?
___Name Tags
___Activities youth can participate while waiting for others to arrive (i.e. puzzles, games)
___Overview of the agenda
___Name games and mixers (low touch, variety of skill levels, physical movement)
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How will youth interact with each other and youth or adult volunteers throughout the day?
___Small groups or pairs
___Knowledge of who to go to with questions and concerns
___Down time-lunch and recreation-keeping everyone involved in a group
___Mixers throughout the day
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Physical Safety
___Location of program-major roadways, water, public access
___First Aid and CPR
___Ratio of youth to adults
___Sign in and sign out sheets
___Restrooms available
___Healthy Snacks and Physical Activity
___Available water and sun safety (sun block, not as active during hottest parts of the day)
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Independence
Youth need to know that they are able to influence people and events through decision-making
and action. By exercising independence through leadership opportunities, youth mature in selfdiscipline and responsibility to learn to better understand them.
Creating opportunities for youth to develop skills and confidence for leadership and self-discipline can
be a result of the day camp experience. Help youth recognize the connection between independence and
responsibility. Independence does not mean greater power and influence but it is linked with
responsibility for decisions made and actions taken.
How will you involve youth in decision making? What roles and responsibilities will the youth take on?
___Participants establish group guidelines
___Engaging teens in generating ideas, leading activities, and partnering with small groups of
participants
___Provide learning and recreation activities that encourage sharing of ideas and working in small
groups
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Generosity
Youth need to feel their lives have meaning and purpose. By exploring community service and
citizenship activities, youth can connect to communities and learn to give back to others.
Help young people focus on developing concern for others and taking action to demonstrate that
concern. Service creates bonds between youth and the community. When we do something valued by
others personal feelings of self worth and competence develop.
What is the role of helping others in your day camp?
___Establish guidelines for how to treat others in the group
___Frame and create opportunities for caring interaction (taking turns, sharing, giving compliments)
___Provide youth the opportunity to share their ideas, knowledge, or resources with others
___Establish relevant service projects that can impact the group and the community
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Mastery
Youth need to feel and believe they are capable and experience success at solving problems and
meeting challenges to develop their self-confidence. By exploring projects and activities, youth master
skills to make positive career and life choices.
How will youth learn new skills?
___Provide a variety of topics within subject matter
___Offer a variety of learning strategies
___Provide additional learning experiences for youth that quickly complete a task
___Experiential learning to complete the process by experiencing, sharing, processing what was
important, generalizing the experience to the real world, and applying what was learned to another
situation
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Sample Day Camp Incorporating BIG M
Prior to Day Camp
 Extension Staff meet with County 4-H Council members or summer program intern. Work as a
team to determine program theme, site, agenda, responsibilities, and recruitment of additional
volunteers.
 Extension Staff and County 4-H Council/summer intern advertise and recruit youth to attend
summer program
 Extension staff and summer program intern/some County 4-H Council members train youth and
adult volunteers-risk management, activities, etc.
8:30 a.m.
Youth Arrive at Kiddie Coral Shelter at the County Park
(Park is located away from a major roadway. Shelter is in a public place but not heavily
visited by those using the park).
Parents/Guardians sign in their youth, turn in health form with emergency contact
information and list the individual who will be picking up their youth.
Teen volunteers welcome participant and escort youth to name tag station. Youth creates
personal name tag then is invited to game station where he/she does individual activity
while other youth arrive.
8:45 a.m.
All participants have arrived. Adult or teens welcome youth to the camp and give an
overview of what to expect for the day.
All youth engaged in get acquainted activities to learn names. Focus on activities that are
name oriented, low touch, and active.
9:10 a.m.
Divide youth into small groups or pairs to decide on 1-2 guidelines or rules the group
should follow for the day.
Each group shares their guideline while teens/adults write the guidelines on newsprint for
all to see.
9:20 a.m.
Get Up and Moving Activity led by teen volunteers
9:30 a.m.
Learning Activities-Led by teen volunteers or Extension staff
10:30 a.m.
Snack Break and Bathroom Break
10:45 a.m.
Get Up and Moving Activity
11:00 a.m.
Learning Activities
12:00 p.m.
Lunch
12:40 p.m.
Get Up and Moving Activity
1:00 p.m.
Mini learning activity
1:45 p.m.
Learning activity or service activity
2:30 p.m.
Snack and Bathroom Break
2:45 p.m.
Reflect on experiences of the day (experiential learning)
3:00 p.m.
Parents/guardians start to arrive-sign out each youth as picked up
Teen/adult volunteers lead small group activities or provide opportunities for individual
activities until all youth picked up.
3:15 p.m.
Extension staff and teen/adult volunteers reflect on the day’s experiences and make
suggestions for improvement.
Clean Up