When I was a camper back in the 80s I was awarded a few beads. I was given a piece of leather cord to tie them on my backpack. I think I got one for picking up trash, one for hitting the archery target (not the bullseye, just the target), and one or two for good group behavior or teamwork. That always stuck with me.
Big shoutout to Peter Vigeant and Bryan Vitale. Their 2010 workshop at the ACA National Conference, “Beads and Nachos: Inspiring Great Staffers and Great Campers,” totally reignited this whole thing for me. I decided then to try a bead program at the day camp I was directing at the time. After that first summer, the program went through some iterations. It grew, was trimmed down, tweaked, and flipped all around, becoming what you see below.
Starting the Bead Reward and Recognition program was honestly one of the coolest things I’ve ever brought into camp. Sure, there are simpler and cheaper ways to give kudos, but when I was experimenting with different programs as a day camp director, the bead system just clicked in a way the others didn’t.
A Word of Warning
For a camp-wide thing like this to work, it’s all about the team effort. Leaders need keep their eye on the ball, and the staff need to be all in, which can be a bit of a hustle. There are times when my crew might skip handing out beads or grumble about the extra steps. Whenever that happens, I just ask them straight up, “Wanna drop it?” And they always say, “Nope.”
If you are not willing to go all in or don’t have complete staff buy-in, skip this program and do something easier like giving out buttons, high fives, or raffle tickets. But if you’re willing to put in the work and experience the power of a well run bead program, buckle in and keep reading.
What is a Bead Reward and Recognition Program?
It’s this super fun way we say ‘awesome job’ to kids (and even the grown-ups) at summer camp. It’s perfect for sleepaway and day camps, but not the best fit for after-school stuff.
Here’s how it goes: each camper gets this cool cotton cord necklace with a name tag (I’m all about those wood cookies). As they go about their camp days being their amazing selves or rocking a camp activity, they score beads. These beads aren’t just any ol’ beads – they’re like little trophies that they get to wear. Campers totally dig earning these shiny bragging rights.
Now, every camper receives at least one bead ‘set’ daily. Why a set? Because when they get a bead, they snag a twin for the other side too – gotta keep that necklace looking neat and balanced, am I right? There’s a whole variety of beads they can collect, and trust me, it’s like Pokémon – they’re gonna want ’em all.
The Rating System
There’s this neat bead rating system too. It’s like a bonus level for the fun of it, and totally up to you if you wanna use it.
Each bead gets a cool label based on how often they’re handed out. So, let’s say you’re dishing out tons of Positive Attitude beads, those would be in the “Common” category. But if those Humor beads are like a rare Pokémon card and you hand them out less, boom, they’re in the “Epic” category.
I’ve got four tiers for these shiny rewards:
- Common: for the beads that are everywhere.
- Rare: for the ones that are a bit harder to find.
- Epic (also known as Ultra Rare): for the beads that make you go, ‘Whoa, nice!’
- Legendary (or Super Ultra-Rare): for the beads that are like spotting a unicorn!
What About Staff?
Staff also have bead necklaces and are eligible to receive many of the beads available for campers, as well as beads that are on the staff-only list. Staff beads are only given by the director, but other staff, and even campers, can nominate any staff person for a bead. I find that the staff are just as proud of their bead necklaces as the campers are, maybe even more so.
Why Roll with a Bead Program?
Let me count the ways:
- It’s like a little piece of camp they can take home, hang up, and remember all the fun times, all year round.
- It’s a great way to encourage all those good vibes and behaviors we love seeing in campers… and yes, the staff too!
- It’s super inclusive, so every camper gets to shine, not just the brainy, sporty, or chatty ones.
- It really amps up that camp spirit and sense of belonging.
- It’s a team-builder’s dream, with staff cheering each other on by suggesting who gets which bead.
- It’s like a magnet for campers, they just gotta come back for more fun and more beads. Great for retention.
- Parents get to see tangible proof of their kiddo’s successes at camp.
- And, it nudges campers to branch out and try new things.
It’s Gonna Take Some Effort
I just have to say it again — kicking off a bead program is a pretty big deal and it takes some elbow grease to make it work. I’ve chatted with a bunch of program directors who gave it a go but ended up with a flop. Turns out, there are two biggies why it didn’t work out:
- All Hands on Deck: You gotta have everyone on board, and I mean everyone. This isn’t something you spring on the team mid-season. It’s staff training 101. Stick around for the Staff Onboarding chapter for more info.
- Keeping Score: The big cheese, the program director, or whoever’s the captain of the ship needs to stay on top of things. They should collect the “bead sheets” that track who’s earned what each day. This one move? It’s like a magic wand for keeping everyone on their toes.
If you’re nodding along thinking, “Yes, I’m all in for this bead biz,” then awesome! Let’s roll up our sleeves and check out the toolkit you’ll need to bring this to life.
Supplies
Let’s talk supplies for those bead necklaces!
Necklaces
You’re gonna need some sturdy cord. I go with 1mm waxed cotton cord because it works perfectly. You can snag a spool from places like Fire Mountain Gems. They’ve got it in black and tan, but I’m partial to the black—it’s got that classic look, and at around $10 for a 100-meter spool, you’re only spending about 7 cents per necklace.
So, why cotton cord? I’ve heard tales of other camp maestros using leather, yarn, twine, and even dog tag chains, but here’s the scoop: cotton cord is king. Leather’s fancy but pricey and can be a bit harsh on the skin. Yarn and twine? They can’t take the heat; they fray like crazy. Dog tag chains? They pop open more than a jack-in-the-box.
Now, why necklaces instead of bracelets or keychains? Simple. Necklaces are like billboards around the camp—everyone sees them, they’re a conversation starter, and they can carry a whole bunch of beads. Bracelets are cool and all, but they’re like a studio apartment—only so much room. And they tend to wander off your wrist. Keychains are out of the game because if they’re not in sight, they’re out of mind.
Concerned about safety? For most camp fun, necklaces are A-OK. But yeah, for water shenanigans or high-flying rope courses, best to leave them off. And if there’s a bit too much swish and sway during sports, just tuck those necklaces into shirts to keep things neat and safe.
Wood Cookie Nametags
Next up on our camp crafting list: wood cookie nametags! These bad boys are not just for charm; they’ve got campers’ and staff names on them, so no more “Hey, you!” moments. I have the arts and crafts leader write the names with s Sharpie. Plus, wood cookies (slices) are the perfect natural divider for your bead necklace. Sure, plastic nametags could work, but come on, nothing screams ‘camp’ like a slice of tree.
Back in the day, when I was nestled in a forested sleepaway camp, I’d forage for branches to slice and drill. But when I shifted to day camps, where trees were like gold dust, I turned to the crafty wizards on Etsy for my wood cookie supply.
Here’s a pro tip: Ask Etsy sellers for a bulk discount and ask ’em to pre-drill the holes. Shopping on Etsy gave me cookies that were like peas in a pod size-wise. Aim for the 3”-3.5” ones, because trust me, trying to fit ‘Zachariah’ or ‘Genevieve’ on a tiny cookie is like squeezing into your jeans post-Thanksgiving dinner.
These larger, sanded, and hole-ready cookies will set you back about $1-$1.50 each after you factor in the shipping. If you’re a DIY lumberjack, then hey, you just saved yourself some moolah!
Beads
Alrighty, bead talk! Every day, each camper gets a twin set of beads to keep their necklace symmetrical — one for each side. So if Susie scores a Cleanliness bead, she’ll get a matching pair, one for the left, one for the right. Why double the fun? Because:
- Pony beads are super affordable, we’re talking less than a penny each when you buy in bulk.
- It balances out the necklace, so it looks good from any angle.
- The more beads they have, the more the campers beam with pride over their growing collection.
For the best deal on pony beads, a little birdie told me that PonyBeadStore.com is the place to be.
Now, for that extra pizzazz, I get fuzzy pony beads, sports beads, and wooden beads. Amazon is my go-to. Just remember: size matters. Make sure those holes are big enough for your cord, ideally over 2mm — pony beads usually have a cozy 2.5mm.
Budget-wise, don’t sweat it. Most campers won’t hoard more than 8 sets of beads in a week. Mix it up with pony, fuzzy, and wooden beads, and you’re looking at no more than 25 cents per camper. Talk about a steal!
Bead Boxes
Bead boxes are a total game-changer for keeping things organized. My go-to setup? One set of bead boxes for every four counselors. This way, they can team up and distribute the beads to their groups each morning — it’s like a little bead party.
Now, the special staff beads? Those get VIP treatment in a box tucked away in the office.
As for the storage, there’s a smorgasbord of bead and craft organizers out there. I also use an inexpensive plastic toolbox for stashing the cord, scissors, and those spare wood cookie nametags. It’s all about making it easy to grab what you need and keep the bead magic flowing!
Preparation
Prepping for a bead program is like planning an epic road trip — you need a map, snacks, tunes, and a cool destination. Here’s your roadmap:
- Map Your Rewards: Use the bead list down below to pick out the achievements and qualities you want to cheer for, both for campers and staff.
- Shopping Spree: Get your beads, wood cookies, cord, and those nifty bead organizers.
- Bead Billboard: Whip up some poster boards listing all the beads up for grabs and scatter them around camp like treasure maps.
- Parent Memo: Craft a note for the parents that breaks down the bead bonanza. It’s like a cheat sheet they’ll get at the end of camp, so they can decode their kid’s necklace. Because the kids won’t remember.
- Bead Sorting: When your bead bounty arrives, sort them into the boxes and slap labels on each spot. A label maker is your best buddy here.
- Staff Swag: Set aside a special bead box for staff-only awards. Remember, staff can earn camper beads too, but some honors are just for the big kids.
- Show and Tell: Roll out the red carpet for your bead program during staff training. And hey, grab 5 extra types of beads, because your crew might just have some genius ideas for new awards.
- Deck Out Your Team: Give each staff member their own cord, wood cookie, and a starter bead. Make pre-camp staff training a mini bead fest and let them start their collection early.
Staff Onboarding
Staff onboarding is the secret sauce to the bead program’s success. Without the staff buying in, it’s like a guitar without strings — it just won’t play. The best time to get the team jazzed about the bead program is during pre-summer staff training.
Set aside some special time during training for a bead program workshop.
Introduction
“We’re rolling out something new this summer — a reward and recognition program that involves everyone, including you! It’s called The Bead Program. Campers (and you!) will receive specific beads each day, based on behavior and achievements. For instance, if a camper is a super sharer, they get the ‘sharing’ bead. Bullseye at archery? They earn the Top Shot bead. And they get a bead for each side of their necklace.
Everyone gets a cord necklace with a wood cookie nametag to wear daily. It’s a badge of their achievements and a handy way to remember names.
Counselors will ensure their campers receive at least one set of beads daily, tracked on a bead sheet that’s handed to the program director every day.”
The Why
- It’s a souvenir from camp that hangs around all year.
- It promotes positive behavior.
- It’s inclusive, celebrating every type of camper.
- It uplifts the camp culture.
- It boosts retention, as campers want to come back for more beads.
- It shows parents the wins of their child.
- It motivates campers to dive into new activities.
The Beads
Discuss the specific beads and the reasons for awarding them. Jot down any staff suggestions for new beads.
Tracking the Beads
- Explain the tracking sheet and its importance.
- Bead sheets are distributed each morning.
- Completed sheets are collected at day’s end.
- Counselors get a distribution list the next morning.
Handing Out Beads
Inform staff of the time allocated for bead distribution, and ensure they explain the significance of each bead as they award them.
Tying Knots
Teach the staff the art of the slipknot — secure for the day but easy to untie for adding new beads. Practice makes perfect. There are videos on YouTube that show ways to tie breakaway knots, but they are a bit complicated. I use a simple slipknot so that all my staff can easily learn to do it.
Collecting Necklaces (Day Camps)
Collect necklaces at the end of each day to avoid the “I forgot it at home” dilemma. Give each counselor a box for safekeeping — hanging them invites tangles.
Returning Necklaces
At day camps, return the necklaces during morning check-in.
Staff Necklaces
After the workshop, let staff personalize their tree cookies, ensuring their names are clear and visible. Those little buggers like to flip around all the time, so have staff write their names on both sides.
Since I have my staff come up with camp names and we have a whole camp name ceremony, I don’t give them their necklace until after the ceremony. My arts and crafts leader uses a Sharpie to write all their names on the tree cookies. This ensures that they are legible.
Side note: I wouldn’t suggest encouraging staff or campers to “decorate” their name tags. This often leads to name tags that are hard to read.
Staff Beads
Explain the exclusive staff beads and the nomination process for these beads, including that staff can also earn camper beads.
Wrap up by gifting each staff member their “staff bead,” signaling their role at camp. These can be special beads picked up from a local craft store to stand out.
Running the Bead Program
Alrighty, you’ve got your gear and the team’s pumped — it’s showtime for the bead program! Let’s break down how it’s gonna go down:
Day One Magic
Kick off with a bang during your welcome chat with the campers. You’ll cover the basics and introduce the bead program — they’ll get their bead necklaces later that day.
Tracking Sheets
Every staff member (not just the counselors) gets a tracking sheet. They jot down camper names and the bead-worthy deeds of the day. It’s like a scorecard for awesomeness. Want a copy of my simple tracking sheet in a Word doc? Click Here
Necklace Prep Crew
Recruit a dream team (think artsy types, CITs, or any willing hands) to prep the necklaces. Just cut the cord to a one-size-fits-most length, and you can always snip it shorter for the little ones later.
Name Game
Scribe camper names on both sides of the wood cookies — neat handwriting for the win! Group the cookies by camp to streamline handouts.
Bead-azzling
Thread that cord, pop on a starter set of beads or team colors, and voilà, necklaces are ready to make their debut.
Distribution Dance
Hand the camper necklaces to counselors for the big reveal to campers.
End-of-Day Roundup (for day camps)
Counselors will gather up the necklaces in their own box to prevent the dreaded Tangle Monster from visiting overnight. Yep, if you try to put ALL the campers’ necklaces into one large bin, you’re going to hate the next morning as you try to untangle them all. Got individual pegs or cubbies for each little one? Even better.
Daily Dose
The bead boss (program director, unit leader, or specific bead program supervisor) hands out fresh tracking sheets each morning. Counselors write the names of their campers on the sheet. All other staff will only write the names of the campers they are awarding beads to.
Counselors dish out a new set of beads to each camper daily, making sure it’s not a repeat — variety is the spice of camp life! For example, if Susie already has a “Camp Spirit” set, it is the counselor’s responsibility to award her a different bead set. Sure, Susie may have camp spirit every day, but I have found that campers don’t want the same beads they already have.
At the end of the day, the bead boss will collect all the tracking sheets and begin filling out distribution sheets.
Distribution Sheets
These are yesterday’s tracking sheets with today’s beads. The bead boss adds any extra beads earned from non-counselor staff, making sure every camper’s bead bounty is ready for the next day.
For example, Johnny the counselor turns in his tracking sheet for the day. On the sheet, it has all his campers’ names and the bead sets he wants them to get the next day (Oh boy! Alex got the friendship bead!). The bead boss then goes over the tracking sheets of all the staff, and he/she adds bead sets that campers earned from staff other than their counselor (Delilah got the Sportsmanship bead. Nice!). The next morning, the program director returns the previous day’s tracking sheet (now a distribution sheet) to the counselor who then uses the sheet to distribute beads to the campers.
Activity Beads
Speaking of non-counselor staff like activity leaders and leadership staff. Hold off on handing out beads on the spot to avoid any hard feelings. Give them out the next day so everyone can share in the excitement.
Final Farewell
No tracking sheets on the last day. Any last-minute beads get dished out pronto.
As campers head out, they take their necklaces and a cheat sheet of bead meanings, so they can brag about their bling to friends and family (hi, mom!) and remember the good times!
FAQs
Got bead questions? You’re not alone! Here are some answers to the bead-related queries that pop up a lot:
What’s bead-worthy?
This totally depends on what’s cookin’ at your camp. If you have horses, maybe there’s a Horsemanship bead. I started with 30 types, and thanks to staff ideas, it’s only gotten bigger and better.
You can give out beads based on behavior. The Positive Attitude bead, the Camp Spirit bead, the Sharing bead, the Respect bead, and the Good Sportsmanship bead are just a few examples.
You can give out beads based on accomplishment. Some examples include the Creativity bead, the Bell Ringer bead (bell at the top of rock wall), the Treasure Hunter bead, and the Fishing bead.
You could also give out beads based on competition. For example, the Blue Team bead, the Red Team bead, the Winning Team bead, the Top Shot bead, etc.
Finally, there are other beads you might give out like the Birthday bead, the Braveheart bead (courage), the Strength of Character bead, etc.
Upset campers over beads?
Sure, it can happen. That’s why everyone gets a bead at the same time each day – it’s like bead-o’clock.
Why not hand out beads on the fly?
Instant bead awards could stir up some drama. If Susie gets a bead on the spot, others might feel left out. Better to jot it down and hand it out with the rest the next day – keeps the peace.
Fancy beads – yay or nay?
Tempting, right? But lots of those fancy beads won’t fit on your cord. Stick with pony beads – they’re classics for a reason. Campers dig them, especially when they’ve earned it. If you’re set on snazzy beads for those Epic or Legendary moments, skip buying them online. Go to a crafts store and test them in-store to make sure they fit your necklace theme.
Variety’s cool and all, but in the end, it’s more about the collection than the bling factor. If you do want to splash out for those super special beads, keep it rare. I have some special Director beads that I only give out once or twice a summer.
Camper Bead List
Here’s the scoop on camper beads: think of them like collectible cards. They come in four levels of rarity — Common, Rare, Epic, and Legendary. Common ones are your everyday high-fives, handed out frequently. But those Legendary beads? They’re like comets — you’ll hardly ever see them, making them super special when you do.
* The beads can be earned by a staff member as well.
Common Beads
Here’s a list of camper beads you might hand out, and remember, you can always add or subtract to this list based on your camp’s vibe: The asterisk * is for beads that can be earned by staff as well.
- ATHLETICISM*: For those sporty moments where a camper shines in physical activities.
- CAMP SPIRIT*: This one’s for the camper who bleeds your camp’s colors and embodies its spirit.
- CAMPER BEAD: It’s the starter bead, kind of like the ‘Welcome to Camp’ badge.
- CHEERFULNESS*: For the camper who’s a ray of sunshine, always sporting a smile.
- CLEANLINESS*: Shout out to the ones who keep their space spick and span without a nudge.
- COOPERATION: For the team player who’s all about that ‘together is better’ life.
- CREATIVITY*: For the imaginative souls finding a canvas in everything.
- FRIENDSHIP: For those who weave the social fabric of camp, making and strengthening bonds.
- HELPER: The unsung heroes who are always lending a hand.
- PATIENCE*: For those who stay chill, even when the ‘What’s next?’ excitement builds up.
- POSITIVE ATTITUDE*: For campers who find the silver lining, even when clouds are out.
- RESPECT*: For those who treat others, gear, and Mother Nature with due reverence.
- RETURN CAMPER 2 YEARS: Celebrating loyalty, this one’s for campers coming back for another round.
- TEAM BEAD*: If your camp’s all about the team life, these beads are like team jerseys.
- TEAMWORK*: For the campers who could teach the Avengers a thing or two about collaboration.
- WINNER*: For that victory lap — whether it’s a team triumph or a personal best.
Rare Beads
And here’s more of the rare bead brigade for your campers:
- DANCER*: For the ones with the moves or the first to hit the dance floor.
- INTELLIGENCE*: For the campers who bring their brain game, be it through trivia mastery or slick strategy.
- LEADERSHIP*: For those stepping up and steering the ship with their leadership chops.
- OVERNIGHT*: If you’re a day camp that offers an overnight experience this is for the brave souls who attend.
- POLITENESS: For the ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ champs, making manners cool again.
- SINGER*: For the voices that belt out camp anthems or wow with vocal talent.
- RESPONSIBILITY: For the reliable campers who take charge and own their actions.
- RETURN CAMPER 3 YEARS: For the seasoned campers marking their third year.
- RETURN CAMPER (SAME SUMMER): For campers doubling down on fun in the same summer.
- SHARING: For those generous hearts always ready to split their cookie.
- SPORTSMANSHIP: For the fair players who keep it cool, even when the game heats up.
- STAR PERFORMER*: For the spotlight-stealers shining in skits or talent shows.
Epic Beads
Here’s a lineup of epic beads that are sure to be the talk of the camp. These beads aren’t just rewards; they’re stories, memories, and the stuff of camp legends!
- RETURN CAMPER (3+ SAME SUMMER): For the die-hards coming back for thirds in the same summer – talk about camp loyalty!
- RETURN CAMPERS 4+ YEARS: Celebrating those who’ve made camp their summer home for four years or more.
- INITIATIVE: For campers who jump into action and do something awesome all on their own.
- ORIGINAL: For the campers who dance to the beat of their own drum and really stand out.
- HUMOR*: For the kids who could double as stand-up comics, keeping everyone in stitches.
- NATURE BUFF: For the nature-loving campers, recognized by the one who knows the outdoors best – the nature activity leader.
- FISHING: For the anglers who manage to reel in a catch.
- BEE STING*: For the brave souls who took a sting but kept on buzzing through camp activities.
- GAME MASTER: For the strategists and competitors who dominate in camp games.
- CRAFT SUPERSTAR: For the campers who turn pipe cleaners and glitter into masterpieces.
- TOP SHOT: For those who’ve got an eye like an eagle and hit the bullseye.
- TREASURE HUNTER: For the adventurers who always seem to find the hidden treasures first.
- SCAVENGER: For the speedy seekers who ace scavenger hunts.
- HIKE MASTER: For the trailblazers who hike with gusto and never grumble about the climb.
- HAPPY CAMPER: For the camper who radiates joy like sunshine over the camp.
- BUS SUPERSTAR: For those helpful campers on bus trips who make every journey better.
- BEST DRESSED FOR THEME*: For the fashion icons who really embrace the camp’s theme days with style.
- BIRTHDAY BEAD*: Well, you know what this one’s for.
- BRAVEHEART BEAD: Sometimes the fear monster takes hold of a camper (I’m looking at you, Leap of Faith), and the camper has to try hard to summon up the courage to move forward.
Legendary Beads
And for those exceptional moments that deserve the highest honor, we have the Legendary beads. These are the camp equivalent of a hall of fame induction – rare, revered, and remembered.
- CAMP MOJO*: This one’s for the camper who embodies the spirit of camp so fully, you can already picture them running the show in the future.
- MAKING A DIFFERENCE*: Reserved for a camper who goes above and beyond, touching another’s life in a meaningful way that echoes beyond the campfire.
- DIRECTOR’S BEAD: The ultimate accolade, bestowed at the discretion of the camp director for those standout moments that define the camp experience.
Remember, these are just starting points — feel free to tweak and tailor the list to make it your camp’s own special brand of awesome!
Other Beads
Every camp has its own unique flavor, and sometimes that means getting creative with your bead awards. You may want to have beads for other things that are specific to your camp.
For instance, at a camp I once directed, which was situated on a seagull-frequented island, a quirky tradition was born. Whenever a camper or staff member had the misfortune (or fortune, depending on how you look at it) of being targeted by a seagull’s “aerial surprise” (if you know what I mean), it became an opportunity for a special kind of honor – the Seagull Bomber bead. In one memorable moment, a young camper, freshly ‘bombed’ by a seagull was in tears. While trying to console him the counselor said, “Hey, you are so lucky. You get the Seagull Bomber bead.” The camper paused his crying and asked, “Is it a legendary bead?” At that moment, it instantly became one of the beads a camper or staff member could “earn”.
Staff Only Beads
Staff members at camp also get their very own set of beads, reflecting the unique roles they play and the extraordinary contributions they make. Here’s a list tailored just for the fantastic folks who keep camp running:
- ARTS MASTER: For the creative geniuses leading arts and crafts, theater, dance, and music.
- BEAST MASTER: For those with a knack for animal care, from horses to bunnies.
- BUS MASTER: For the captains of the camp commute.
- CAMPFIRE MASTER: For the storytellers and songleaders who make the campfire glow.
- CHAMELEON: For the adaptable staff who can thrive in any camp scenario.
- CLOCK WATCHER: For the punctuality pros who are never late.
- FAMILY CAMP TROOPER: For those who make family camp sessions a hit.
- FITNESS MASTER: For the leaders of fitness and wellness activities.
- GOLDEN LENS: For the photographers capturing those golden moments.
- HORSE WHISPERER: For the equestrians who connect with our four-legged friends.
- HUNT MASTER: For the treasure hunt gurus crafting epic adventures.
- MASTER OF DISGUISE: For staff who go all-out on theme days with epic costumes.
- MEDIC: For the certified first-aiders, lifeguards, and nurses ensuring everyone’s safety.
- OUTDOORS MASTER: For the wilderness enthusiasts leading nature activities.
- RETURN STAFF: For the veterans who keep coming back for more camp magic.
- ROPES AND TEAMBUILDING MASTER: For those who challenge and unite us on the ropes course.
- SPECIAL EVENTS MASTER: For the planners behind each memorable camp event.
- SPORTS AND GAMES MASTER: For the dynamic leaders of all things sporty and playful.
- SONG MASTER: For the spirited souls always ready with a camp song.
- STAFF MEMBER: The welcome bead for each new staff member.
- S.T.E.M. MASTER: For the brainy bunch leading science and tech activities.
- STORYTELLER: For the ones who captivate us with tales and legends.
- TARGET MASTER: For the sharpshooters guiding archery and other target sports.
- TEEN MENTOR: For those guiding the older campers through their journeys.
- THEME MASTER: For the imaginative minds that turn theme weeks into unforgettable experiences.
- WATER WARRIOR: For the aqua aficionados who lead us in all things wet and wild.
- WINTER WARRIORS: For the hearty souls who keep the camp spirit alive, even in the snow.
Each bead is a token of appreciation for the dedication and passion staff bring to camp, creating a summer full of fun and learning for everyone!
Great activity! How did you mark the name tags? Marker or wood burner?
Hey, Chris. I wood burn mine, but we use sharpies for the campers’. During staff training we give the staff time to decorate theirs however they please. The campers also get to decorate the back of their tree cookie with markers and stickers. This reminds me, I have to start looking for branches to slice.
Very cool idea Curt!!!
Thanks, Cody. It ends up being extra work every day, but it’s totally worth it when you see the excitement of the kids. I was surprised to see that even the “cool” kids wanted to earn beads.
I am a little confused….do the kids decorate the tree “cookie” with the beads or do they wear the cookie as a medallion with the beads threaded on either side of it….
Jaye, they wear it like a medallion with beads threaded on each side. Unfortunately, all the really neat beads have such small holes that it is very difficult to get them threaded. Of course, you don’t have to give them two beads, one for each side. They would be just as happy with one bead, and then they can pick which side it goes on. You could even have them thread it through leather and create a bracelet out of it, or thread the beads through shoe laces. The necklaces worked for us since we already give them tree cookie necklaces as their name tags.
I love this idea. How do you fasten the necklaces each day? Do you just keep tying and untying knots?
Amber, yes, we keep tying and untying each day, which is kind of an issue. First you have to use a knot that will hold, but is easy to untie. I use a variation of the slip knot and since I am using cord for the necklaces it stays pretty well. If you use any type of plastic cord the knot will not hold. The best video I have found that shows you how to tie the knot the same way I do is here. Instead of using one end, like in the video, I use both ends in the knot.
I’m so excited to try this with my summer campers this year! I think we’ll use dog tag chains since they’re practically indestructible! They won’t fray and are easy to fasten and unfasten. I know some hand-made glass beads may not fit, but standard pony beads and the like should slip on just fine.
I’ve already searched for the necklaces and found that you can get a dozen at http://www.orientaltrading.com for around $5.00
Thanks for this awesome idea!
Amanda, I never thought about using dog tag chains. What a great idea. While I love having specialty beads, you’re right that using pony beads is so much easier no matter what you use for the necklace. If only someone would create cool pony beads with different designs on them instead of just colors. Although, the sports beads have large openings as well, and that makes them nice to use.
Do you have any other bead ideas? I already run a program similar to this one and I am looking for some fresh new ideas for beads to give out. Let me know.
Thanksss. 🙂
I’ll use wooden beads as well. Basically, if a bead has the same hole size as a pony bead, I’ll use it.
I also work at a YMCA camp and we used beads last year in a very similar method. The YMCA has core values (Responsibility, Caring, Respect, and Honesty…faith is also one but we did not include it in the bead program and religion was not a part of camp). Each 4 values had a color and a bead was given of that color when a camper earned it. Counselors kept track of and assigned throughout the day who got what beads and then announced and gave them out the next day. As an outsider of the camp last year, it truly broke my heart that there were some kids who seemed to be “forgotten” in the bead process so that would definitely be my word of caution and something I plan to pay attention to this summer. While yes some kids could earn every bead every day, it is extra important to recognize EVERY child even if it means helping them achieve it. We also found it difficult to keep track of the necklaces as our camp is all summer long and it was too expensive to continually replace the necklace. So esp for longer camps I suggest keeping necklaces in ziplock backs with the kids name on them.
Great suggestions, Jill. I completely agree with making sure each child is recognized. As for lost necklaces, we gAther all necklaces at the end of the day and return them the following day.
This year I plan on doing our rewards system a little different. Instead of beads and necklaces when counselor “catch” a camper doing something good they will write their name and action on a prize drawing tickets and put the ticket in the basket (staff and tell the child or silenty place it in). Every Friday we will pull out a few names and those kids can pick a prize from the treasure chest. Each kid who has their name in the basket will also receive a certificate from the counselor recognizing them for a job well done.
I’ve used beads as staff incentives, but have been wanting to also use them for campers. For staff we award “beads of awesomeness” at the end of each session, based on nominations by their peers that have been submitted over the week. The beads go on their dog tag necklaces.
The problem I’ve seen with dog tags though, is they are ineffective as nametags. The writing is just too small, especially for longer names.
Geo, that’s a good point about the dog tags. I love the idea of the “beads of awesomeness”.
I love this idea! How could I get the little wood chips?
Jezzy, we find branches that have fallen and our maintenance guys cut them into small tree cookies. Then I drill the hole in each one. You can buy them from companies like Nature Watch, but they are a bit pricey.
this would work great with our Girl Scout day camp. In the Daisy program they earn petal patches, each colored petal represents a line from the Girl Scout Law. At camp the girls can earn the colored bead that corresponds by the line of the law that they followed that day. I do really like the idea of using the dog tag chain! Seems like it would be much easier. Since I have mainly girls we could use cute charms for specialty rewards.
Does anybody know for sure if pony beads will fit on dog tag chains?
Sara, pony beads should easily fit on dog chains. I, however, am sticking with imitation leather cord from the Fire Mountain Gems website. The cord is cheaper than dog tags even though we will still have the issue of tying and untying the cord to add beads.
Awesome idea that i cant wait to try! I just wanted to let others know that i just some tree cookies/disc’s online at:
http://www.nature-watch.com/tree-cookies-or-tree-discs-or-cross-section-of-tree-p-53.html?cPath=160_184
Now all i have to get are these “special/rare” beads!
Where do you buy the beads?
Do they come in a set?
Dwight, I get my beads from a variety of places including S&S, Oriental Trading, Fire Mountain Gems, local craft stores, etc.
For the last 3 years I have participated as a counselor/teacher in an “outdoor school” camp (6th graders spend a week of the school year at camp- it’s hosted by a YMCA camp- awesome way to reach kids that would never have had a camp experience otherwise.) Anyway, we have a bead program, but we don’t have different beads for different types of behavior we wish to reward- they just get a bead when they do something good. I love the thought of having “rare” beads for extra special things. I’ll be stealing a few of your ideas…. 🙂
We just got back about 2 weeks ago, and I’m already thinking about next year! Another way we use them is that they get specific beads for completing specific tasks. For example, we have hiking trails that we use to teach our lessons about biomes, the ecosystem, etc. When they complete a trail (there’s usually a task associated with each trail), they get a specific bead. We do the same with our other activities- canoeing, horseback riding, etc.
The only other special bead we have is the coveted blue bead.. Again, remember that many of these kids haven’t been in this kind of environment before- so a lot of them don’t feel comfortable errrr, going #2 in a setting where there isn’t as much privacy as home.. Our coordinator has actually had to take a kid to the local hospital because he had gone 4 days without going and was having terrible stomach pain. So now we have one teacher who is the bestower of the blue beads- which you can only get by reporting to her that you had a BM. Sounds weird, but the kids laugh about it, and it takes some of the stress that some of them feel about it- it becomes something you wear with pride instead of something to be embarrassed about. It also creates a lot of openings for humor- skit night usually has many references to “earning a blue bead” etc. I’m not sure if nervousness about using the bathroom is even an issue at traditional summer camp or not- this is the only camp setting I’ve ever worked in, but the blue beads seem to work for us.
I’m curious, what beads do you use for your most special beads? Are they very distinctive from the rest? I’m trying to get some ideas for “rare beads” but the ones I’ve looked at are all either pretty similar to the rest, or really expensive.
George, it sounds like a lot of your beads are more like earning badges through the scouts, by accomplishing certain tasks. I think that’s a great reason to give beads out. As for the special beads I use beads with the letter “o” for original, the director’s bead is one of those expensive ones from Michael’s (but I’ve only given one set out) and a lot of the other beads are taken from a bag of wooden beads that look tribal. The bag or box comes with a variety of beads and I seperate and make piles of the ones that look similar. Some I use for nature beads, others for strength beads, etc. It doesn’t really matter what beads they are as long as everyone in camp knows which beads are for what. I use a simple black bead for humor. Those that think they are camp comedians want a black bead sooooo bad. Even though they can go to the local crafts store and get their own, they don’t. They want to get one from their counselor. They want to wear it and know that they have earned it. It’s great!
Thanks for sharing your experience with your bead system. Do they keep their beads ona necklace?
Oh, one more thing- in our program, beads can also be taken away for the opposite type of behavior that they were given for. You might get a bead today if I notice you picking up some trash that someone left on the trail, but I might take it back tomorrow if I see you drop a wrapper on the ground.
I am diggin this whole concept, read everyone’s posts too. I think this is a very good idea for the simple fact it keeps the campers and staff members engaged. I think for me the dog chains would work out in aiding the campers to easily add beads on a daily basis. Does anyone know what is the best length?
One camp where I worked they gave out a brown bead for needing improvement. I didnt really care for that bead, and it was the “go to” bead for the “bad kid” that day 🙁 I NEVER gave out one brown bead because I know that EVERY kid does atleast one good thing a day!
I agree with you, Tiffanie. We only use the beads as a positive reward, looking for the positive attributes of each camper. Of course, there are those campers where you struggle to find a bead for them. We used to have a “Participation” bead and that was the “go to” bead for my staff with the more difficult campers. I have since eliminated that bead and I challenge my staff to work with those kids towards getting a particular bead. For example, give them the opportunity to help (helper bead), clean something up (cleanliness bead) or lead an activity (leadership bead). Since each camper gets at least one set of beads each day it can be challenging to give each camper a different type of bead every time but I feel it’s necessary. The same goes for giving the same beads out to one camper. Giving a camper the camp spirit bead everyday, no matter how cool it looks, is not going to cut it at my camp. The campers want a variety.
As for the “needing improvement” bead, most kids would be upset about gettting a brown bead. We want our campers to proudly wear their beads and to work towards getting the Ultra Rare ones. If I gave any of those campers a “bad behavior” bead I think they would refuse to wear their tree cookies and their behavior may even get worse. Good for you for not giving those out.
What is the average size the pony beads need to be to fit on to the imitation leather cord.
I use just the regular sized pony beads, I think the size is 8/0. If you go with specialty beads (I use a number of these as well, especially for the Ultra Rares) you definitely need to make sure the hole size is large, around pony bead size.
Is this the page for the leather cords that you use? http://www.firemountaingems.com/search/?Keywords=leather+cord
Yep. That’s where I get my cord.
I’ll add what my son’s boy scout troop did. You could trade up. So for example, they had a bead that you could earn for every 5 mile hike you when on. When you got 5 of those beads you could trade them in for the Hiking Boot Bead. That allows you to reuse some of the beads, and keep the necklaces of those return campers under control, and could encourage campers to return.
I like that idea, Opi. Great suggestion.
We used beads as part of our GS Daisy project. We had the color beads that coordinated to the petal. Each girl earned three beads with each petal. We put them on a key chain on their tote bags they brought with them. We attached the beads using plastic lacing- one strand folded in half and looped through the key ring. To make the knot at the end, we would just loop the lacing back through the bead. This made an easy anchor that stayed in place and also was easy to undo to add beads.
We are looking to add a bead system to camp this summer. Either the keychain idea or a bandana that has been fringed. the beads can be added to the fringe and then knotted.
Thanks for the comment, PEP. It’s great to see other reward systems. Of course, the scouts are all about rewarding particpants for their actions – with badges, beads, pins, prizes, etc.
I am ordering the plastic name tags that have a lanyard attached but also two holes for a giant safety pin (charm pin). We are going to have the kids put their beads on a charm pin on the nametag. We’ll see how it goes! I have found several good ideas on here. Thank you!
Charm pins
http://www.orientaltrading.com/charm-pins-a2-48_3799-18-0.fltr
Badges with holes
http://www.orientaltrading.com/clip-badge-holders-a2-24_1462-18-0.fltr
I tried the Bead Program out last summer with my Summer Day Camp. I liked the program because it is a great hands on way for kids to see how hard they are working throughout the summer. But my program really struggled to keep up with the bead rewards (staff forgot to give beads out at the end of the day) and we used dog tag chains which I liked at first but the kids kept breaking them/losing them/etc. What have any other camps used as necklaces (or something else) to show off the beads? Maybe a jar for each kid? I am questioning for next camp season, is it worth the effort that I and my staff put into it? Thoughts fellow camp people?
Kelly, it is a lot of work. The way we do it is that I have 4 bead boxes with all the beads separated and labeled in each box for easy access. At the end of each day I get a sheet from each counselor. On that sheet I have all the campers names on it. The counselors keep the sheet on their clipboard. I tell the staff that they must award at lest 1 bead set to each of the campers in their group, if they want to award a camper not in their group a bead set, they can but it’s not necessary. Then I collect the sheets at the end of the day and on an Excel spreadsheet I input the beads that each camper got that day. The next morning I hand out the sheets – on one side is the list of camper’s names with space for writing down the beads they earned that day (and will receive tomorrow), and on the other side is a list of what beads the campers have already earned that week. The first thing we do after announcements is hand out beads to everyone.
Using cord for the necklaces has been the best material for us. You just have to tie them on with a slip-knot so you can get them off the next day. We are a day camp so we collect all of the necklaces/tree cookies at the end of the day to make sure the campers don’t forget them at home or lose the beads. At the end of the week they get to take them home. We also cut the cord a little long so that if the slip-knot comes undone, creating actual knot making it impossible to untie, we can just cut it to add more beads and then retie it with a proper slip-knot (which I have to teach each staff and CIT how to do).
It is a lot of work but we feel it is well worth it. After the first summer I thought it may have been to much trouble for the staff, so I suggested that we not do it anymore – not because I didn’t like it, but because I didn’t want my staff to resent the whole process. They refused to let it go. They said the campers loved it and that they (the staff) loved getting beads as well. After that we had total buy-in by the staff. They complain about it every once in a while but they do not want to stop doing it.
As a former camper and camp counselor I am thinking I would like to do this with my students. We have been really working on using self-discipline and showing integrity, so we could start with two colors to earn. I think the name tags would be a pain, and I could just do stickers for their name tags, but how cool would it be for them to wear them with pride all day long? Maybe I’ll try some of these ideas for 4th quarter as a trial for next school year.
Do you make your own Tree Cookies, or do you buy them? What supplier do you use for the Leather Cord? I am planning on making this part of my Summer Day camps this year!
Does your Staff change out their beads with each camp or do they make new ones each time?
Thom, I have done both, make them and buy them. It’s expensive to buy them but it saves the hassle of finding the right sized sticks and cutting them. If I am able to find a good supply of sticks I would certainly rather make them myself to save the money. I get the cord from Fire Mountain Gems. The staff keep their beads all summer long. Some bring them back the following year while other return staff begin a new collection.
Did this way back in the late 70’s at Girl Scout Camp with campers who had the cleanest unit, sang the most, etc. Still have mine from 1979!!!
We love this! We will be putting it into place for our Spring day camp this year. We have two questions though – is it bead per item (spirit, archery etc…) or per category (rare, common etc..) and the second question is how did you present and remind them how to earn beads ie: poster board on the wall?
Hi Heather, the beads are per item. We only categorize them as common, rare, etc. to give the campers an added incentive to try and get the beads that aren’t given out as much. We do use a poster board that spells it out, but it’s the staff that really encourage it. They may say something like, “Who want’s to earn a Cleanliness bead?”, “The camper that finds the most stuffed/plastic animals will earn the Animal Hunter bead” or “Sally, I know it’s scary, but if you can just get to the top of the ropes ladder you’ll earn the Courage bead.”
This is great! I am super excited to try this out this summer!!! However, our youngest campers are 3.5 years old and I am not sure how this will work with the itty bitties. But many have older siblings that would be participating in the program. Any thoughts regarding a minimum age for the bead reward program? Thanks!!!
Hi Rana, the ages I have done this program with started at 6 years old. I don’t know what the younger ones would think, but I know they wouldn’t want to be left out if the older campers were getting cool beads. So, I say, give it a shot OR have a different reward program that is special to them. Since I don’t work with that age I don’t really have any good suggestions. If you come up with something and find it’s a hit, please let me know. Thanks and good luck.
Hi,
I did something like this with my Brownie camp. It was only a long weekend (4 days) so it was relatively easy. I found that necklaces etc. always broke and there would be tears. I purchase these pouches from Oriental trading, the girls decorated them however they wished. http://www.orientaltrading.com/diy-zipper-purses-pcs-a2-48_1627.fltr?Ntt=diy%20zipper%20purses
Everyone gets 2 beads to start and they keep them in pouch. They must have their pouch on at all times (really more for there protection, I would not want a pouch to go ‘missing’). At mealtimes we award beads. We used some of the categories you have listed above. We may not always give one bead, it depended on what had happened. If the person has done some exceptional, they may get up to 3-4. If it was good behaviour or general helping they would get 1-2. You have to be careful, because when it is helping, they all try to go out of their way to assist, and I sometimes got 5 or 6 offers to help me carry a bag. We also did things like first tent to go to sleep, first one ready for inspection, first table ready at mealtime etc.
All leaders, including parent helpers and young leaders, were encouraged to give beads. They would have to tell what the girl did and call her up to receive her bead(s). Sometime a camper wanted to nominate another camper. This was fine with me as long as I felt it was legitimate. If she did not have her pouch, there was a great chance she would lose the bead. A major rule was being responsible for your things, so it was finders keepers for any beads found on the ground. Some girls were very good and would bring a found bead to me, and I would just tell them to keep it.
With a busy camp, it was sometimes hard to remember who you were going to give a bead too when it happens in the middle of an activity. That is how we got into the practice of saying the girl ‘remind me to give you a bead because of …’. Of course they never forgot. Some even reminded us that we were supposed to give another girl a bead.
Another problem was the girls would find beads used by other camps at the site. To be able to tell my beads from the other, I started switching up what I used each year. When we did Olympics, I found these small circle beads from a jewellery crafting website, or I use special shapes, types etc., trying to tie it into the theme.
At the end the girls counted up how many they had. We did prizes for the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd individual with the most beads and since I had about six groups, they were ranked 1st etc. Since our prizes tied back into our unit (they earned brownie bucks for wearing uniform, badges and behaviour) they were awarded brownie bucks, which made it easier.
I like how you have the categorized, I may do something do like that this year.
I love your site. You really helped me through my ‘Harry Potter’ camp a couple of years ago. Many thanks!
Jorge-Ann, thank you for sharing that variation on the bead program. I always come across beads that are really neat but the whole is too small to go over the cord we use. With pouches you don’t have to worry about that.
You mentioned how some of the girls would come to you with beads they found and you tell them to keep it. Have you thought about an “honesty” bead that they would get instead of keeping the bead they found? I think that would be a neat way to reward their integrity.
I am happy to hear that the site has helped you out. I keep meaning to do an updated post on Harry Potter camp since I have learned a lot since those posts.
The ‘honesty’ bead idea is fantastic! I will do that this year.
I look forward to the Harry Potter camp update!
In addition to the beads, I (the director) give out an extremely ultra super rare bead. It’s actually a small bell. I only give out a handful of bells each summer. They’re reserved for campers who have had a huge breakthrough or done something completely outstanding. The kids go nuts for this one. Its also one that only the director can choose to give a camper. My thought process was I want the accomplishment to be heard at all times, hence the bell that makes noise 🙂
Our staff also do the bead program, but the kids nominate the staff for beads. The staff are also eligible for the bell.
That’s fantastic, Calie! Thanks for sharing.
Hello! I work for a YMCA camp and like a previous commenter mentioned, we have the 4 core values of responsibility, respect, caring, and honesty. I want to implement a bead program this year, but I am worried that having only 4 colors will get boring for the campers (especially the older ones). Do you have any ideas for how I could incorporate the values but make it more exciting and keep it going all summer? I would like to include achievements somehow… Thanks!
Lauren, I would create a list similar to the one I have on this post. Kids love to collect rewards (like the beads) and I think you’re right that if there are only 4 it may get a little boring for a full summer. I would choose larger or “cooler” beads to represent the 4 YMCA Core Values and have specific ways campers can earn them. Perhaps you can divide all the other beads into groups. One set of beads represent Responsibility, one set for Respect, one set for Caring and one set for Honesty. When a camper (or staff person) collects all the beads of that set they earn the Core Value bead.
As for achievement beads, assign specific bead colors to skills. For example, if someone shoots the bullseye in archery they have earned the Archer’s Bead. Of course, at the archery area a camper could show they are a good listener earning them a Good Listener Bead in the Respect set of beads, they could pick up a piece of trash earning them the Cleanliness Bead also from the Respect set, and they could help another camper earning them the Helper Bead under the Caring set. Would any of those ideas work for you, Lauren?
Hi Curt,
I have a couple of questions.
1. What do you do if a camper from a previous summer brings their necklace from last year? Do you let them continue adding to their old necklace or do they start from scratch?
2. How do you assess the “Craft Superstar” bead? I want to give out some sort of craft related bead but I don’t want to deem one camper more “creative” than another.
Hi Abbie, we have a few campers bring their necklace from the previous year. It’s fine with us. They are proud of it and it gets the new campers excited about starting their own collection when they see a necklace full of beads. I encourage my staff to bring their necklace from the previous years, although they don’t get quite as many beads per week as the campers. Most campers don’t bring them back, but they keep them in their rooms at home. For those that do bring them back I tell them that once their necklace is 3/4 full they need to start a new one.
I leave who gets the activity beads up to the activity leader. At staff training we talk about giving beads out to kids that try hard or show a lot of initiative, but also if they excel at something. I am fine with recognizing the creativity of certain campers over others. That’s why we have so many other beads a camper can collect. The key is that each camper gets at least one bead each day. Some will get up to 3 in a day but it’s rare. You’ll find that the campers, especially the younger ones, won’t really care what bead they get as long as they get one and it’s not a duplicate of one they already have.
Keep in mind that camper who gets the Craft Superstar bead probably won’t get the Top Shot bead or the Game Master bead. We have even more beads now, meaning there are lots of ways a camper can earn a bead. Oh, and if you wait to give the beads the next day, which is what we do, the campers won’t even question the campers who receive an Ultra Rare bead. If you give the bead that day, while they are at crafts, then it WILL sting the other campers that didn’t get one.
Hope this helps. Have a great summer.
I like this idea so much that I am planning on implementing it at the camp I work at this summer. I do have a question for you though. I know that you use name tags, but we’re planning on using bracelets. But I’m having a hard time figuring out how each camper will get a bracelet. We can have 100-150 campers per week, and because wrist sizes are different, I’m hesitant to cut them in advance. I’m also wary of cutting so many bracelets on the first day. We have a giant roll of string, so it’s not even like the counsellors can each take a roll to cut for their own campers. Any ideas?
Keep in mind that you’ll want to have some extra length on the bracelets for beads and a slipknot. I would cut a long piece of string to give to each counselor so they can cut the right length of bracelet for each of their campers. Don’t do it all yourself. Or, you can do what I do which is have the crafts instructor and an assistant or two (CITs) make all the necklaces and name tags (in your case, the bracelets) on the first day. All of them are made a little longer than you would expect. Once they are handed out the counselors can cut off any excess cord (or string) to fit correctly for their campers. Hope these suggestions help. Good luck, Karen.
Nice discussion guys! I will also be starting this soon and I have done it before when I was an intern. For my after school program I actually want to have a trade in system where kids can trade in beads to earn a reward. Each bead has a specific value.
2 beads = free life in an elimination game
5 beads = go gurt or a toy from the prize box
Group trade in 100 beads = ice cream/milkshake party for that whole group (about 15 kids)
150 beads = pie a counselor in the face.
Whole program trade in of 300 beads = pizza party.
So not only can you earn beads and keep them, but if you trade them in you get better rewards. This helps the kids that may not be as into it find more value in earning one. You get good things for doing good things.
I’m also looking to have rare and mastery beads for specific camps or activities that will take more skill to achieve. The possibilities are endless!!
I just want to know what’s the best type of necklace to use to store them and how to keep them organized and ready to be given out!
Oh lastly. Don’t forget about the opportunity to allow the kids to reward each other with beads for displaying good values! It’s a great way to get them looking at each other and holding each other accountable for actions.
Thanks, Ron. I like your structure for an after school program.
@ Ron “I just want to know what’s the best type of necklace to use to store them and how to keep them organized and ready to be given out!” Check out the earlier threads, I use the leather cord from Fire Mountain Gems http://www.firemountaingems.com/search/?keywords=leather+cord No itchy necks and simple to untie/retie. For storage I use these clear cases like Plano Stoaway Cases. Hope this helps.
Cool thanks! Could I ask what color you went with for the chord? For summer camp I will be doing the tree cookie, but for my after school pilot bead program I will only be using a necklace and possibly some letter beads with each child’s initials given as their first bead, along with a special after school program bead that you can only get by attending after school program.
That’s he only idea I could come up with to have the children know which was theirs.
Hi Ron, We were limited in colors based on the type of cord we went with. There was black, brown and tan. We went with black for staff and tan for campers.
As for using this in an after school program, it could be very difficult to do since a big part of the program is that the campers wore the necklaces daily which kept the program on their mind and really encouraged them to add more beads. With an after school program you would need the kids to remember to bring the necklaces daily (nearly impossible to make that happen) or keep them at the center, but then they don’t get to take them home and show them off to the family. I like the way you have an option to trade in beads for your program. Here are a couple of other ideas.
You could assign each child a specific type/color of bead. When they so something positive a bead of their color goes into a jar. As the jar fills with all the different colors (remember, each color represents on of the kids in your program) you can have rewards at different levels of the jar like stickers for everyone. When the jar fills up you can have a pizza party or something like that. Then separate the beads and see who has the most in the jar. That child gets a special prize.
The other option for jars and beads is to divide the kids into four teams and each of the teams will have a different jar. Each child still has their own bead color but now when they earn one it goes into their team jar, instead of one community jar. It’s very Hogwarts-ish. (edited)
Great idea! I think I could use the jars per group four after school program just to introduce the idea and save everything else for camp. I’ll also only have to use 4 bead colors (caring , respect, honesty, responsibility) and give those out to someone in a group that displays one of those values and its added to the group jar. The group can then win prizes such as a pizza part or extra snack or the chance to pie their counselor in the face!
I’d have to figure out how to individually recognize some of the kids though and give them an extra prize possibly. Maybe just keep track on paper.
Is there a lanyard option that has a detachable back? I am worried about choking hazards if the necklace gets caught in something. But I love the bead idea!
Sam, some people will use those dog tag style necklaces, but they seem to pop off pretty easy. Then you’re picking up a bunch of beads off the ground. I have never had a problem with the cord getting stuck and choking anyone. However, I will say that I have the campers take off the necklace before doing things like high ropes or even playing field games…and, of course, swimming.