Summer Camp Counseling Paper

924 Words2 Pages

Title: A Case Study from Summer Camp Counseling. Samuel Torres Ruiz, Department of Business, University of Indianapolis MGT 281: Management Professor Trent Merrel, September 10, 2024. During my time as a Summer Camp Counselor at Washington Township Park, I encountered a challenging situation involving two campers who were known for causing disruptions in activities. This experience allowed me to observe how my manager handled the situation using key management functions such as planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. Additionally, the decision-making process involves both programmed and reflective decisions. Through this paper, I will analyze the managerial decision-making process using course concepts and suggest areas for improvement. …show more content…

His hands-on approach fosters a positive atmosphere and encourages teamwork. This leadership style was effective, though encouraging peer leadership among the campers could further improve the overall camp experience. When conflicts arise during activities, such as disagreements over game rules, my manager applies the management function of controlling. For example, during a soccer game, the campers disagreed on whose turn it was for a throw-in. My manager intervened, made a final call, and explained his decision to the group. Controlling, in a managerial context, involves monitoring performance and making necessary adjustments to meet the planned goals (Bateman & Snell, 2020). By stepping in and making authoritative decisions, my manager ensured that the activities continued smoothly and that disagreements did not escalate. His approach to controlling was firm but fair, though encouraging conflict resolution skills among the campers could have helped them learn to manage disputes on their own. In addition to using the four management functions, my manager relied on programmed decisions for routine …show more content…

Lastly, my manager demonstrated reflective decision-making when dealing with more complex issues that required careful consideration. Writing the incident report required him to reflect on what had occurred, ensuring that the report was accurate and detailed before sending it to the parents. Reflective decision-making involves a thoughtful process that takes time and consideration, often used for non-routine decisions (Bateman & Snell, 2020). His ability to reflect on the situation and document it properly ensured that the parents were fully informed and that any necessary follow-up actions could be taken. However, my manager could have involved the other counselors in reflective discussions to further enhance the decision-making process and gain additional perspectives. Overall, my manager effectively utilized the core functions of management—planning, organizing, leading, and controlling—as well as programmed and reflective decision-making, to address the challenges that arose during the camp. His approach provided valuable insights into the importance of structured planning, resource organization, active leadership, and controlled conflict resolution in a dynamic environment like a

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