Camp Counselor English 2

More vocabulary practice for summer camp staff — English for activities, campers, and camp routines.

Vocabulary in context

A good camp counselor has to be three things at once: a motivator, a mediator, and a safety net — often all before breakfast. The language that goes with each of those roles is different, and this exercise builds vocabulary across all of them. You need the words to fire up a group for an activity, the words to calm a conflict between campers, and the words to write a clear incident report if something goes wrong. Camp environments are also highly informal, which means the English you use with campers sounds different from the English you use with parents or supervisors. Getting comfortable with all three registers is what separates a good counselor from an outstanding one — and that's what this exercise is designed to help with.

Ready to practice? Let's go!

Fill in each blank with the correct word. If both words can be used, choose the one that sounds more natural in each situation.

1. Can you tell me (especially/specifically) (= exactly) what you don't like about him?

2. That took a lot of (courage/carriage)!

3. It's OK to (admit/omit) that you were wrong.

4. You have to listen to the children without (judgment/judges) .

5. Hey, you have to keep your hands to (yourself/you).

6. I know it's not fun, but (cleaning/clean) up is part of camp.

7. Threats of (force/farce) (= threatening violence, etc.) are not OK.

8. It's not OK to show (favorites/favors). (= to show which child you like more)

9. Today we'll play guitar around the (campfire/flame).

10. I'll meet you guys at the (water's front/waterfront).

11. Please wait your (turning/turn).

12. He's easily (destructed/distracted). (= it's hard for him to focus on one thing)

13. Great (job/jab), guys!

14. Please hang your wet bathing (suits/trousers) on the line.

15. Today we're going to do something (creative/constructive). We're going to paint.

16. We didn't get enough (funding/dollars) to hire another counselor.

17. The children look (exhausted/exalted). (= very tired)

18. Did you guys see that? That was a (shooting/moving) star.

19. Bill and Ted are his (bunkmates/flatmates). ( = they're staying together in the same cabin)

20. This activity will help improve the children's (decision/answer)-making skills.