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Sometimes your brain tells loud stories. This session helps campers notice those stories, name what their body feels, and try one small helpful move — using fictional camp scenarios only.

Run sheet: Opening Script → 45-Minute Session → Redirect Scripts. Skim the rest before your first run.

Everything we practice is made-up camp situations — not private mental-health history. Pass is always OK.

Words in this session: Brain story · Body alarm · Helpful move · Notice → Pause → Move · Pass is OK · Fictional scenario · Maybe-not-true guess · Executive-function support

Why This Session Works

Camp facilitation, not therapy

Camp TLC teaches notice → pause → move skills for camp life. We do not diagnose, screen, or treat. When a camper needs clinical support, use the escalation ladder — nurse, unit lead, program director.

Core message: Brain stories feel real — they are not always true, and they are not always helpful. Campers practice the loop with fictional scenarios before harder belonging and friendship work.

Why Thought–Feeling–Move here

At 10–15, unhelpful thoughts show up fast — mess hall lines, partner picks, group chats, trying something new. This session gives a speakable loop: notice the story, pause, pick one helpful move. It pairs with brain story, body alarm, and helpful move in Shared language.

Program slot: Run after Friendship Changes, before Belonging Can Make People Act Weird — campers already have friendship language; TFM vocabulary prepares them for pressure → behavior work.
Boundary: Fictional scenarios only. No thought logs to take home. No ranking feelings. Never tell a camper their thought is wrong — use maybe-not-true guess language.

Pitch to Fellow Counselors

"This session builds self-awareness and coping language without turning camp into group therapy."

"Campers practice with fictional scenarios — they do not share private mental-health history. Pass is always OK."

"The loop is notice the brain story, pause, try one helpful move. We never say CBT or therapy with campers."

"Run it when the cabin already knows names and basic norms — Week 2, after Friendship Changes, before Belonging pressure work."

Group Plan: 6 Counselors / 10 Kids

3 breakout groups with co-facilitation — never one counselor alone in a share circle. Assign 2 counselors per group when possible.

GroupCampersCounselorsWhy
Group 1 3 campers 2 counselors Story + body card practice; co-counselors float.
Group 2 3 campers 2 counselors Move cards + scenario trios; pair-led.
Group 3 4 campers 2 counselors Slightly larger group — extra structure and pass options.
Adult team roles (6 counselors)
  • Lead Facilitator

    Opens and closes; holds facilitation-not-therapy boundary; leads counselor debrief.

  • Group Co-Facilitator

    Two counselors per breakout — never one adult alone in a share circle; trade off within the pair.

  • Float Counselor

    Rovers between groups for pass support, materials, and stuck tables.

  • Tone Watcher

    Redirects teasing, diagnosis talk, and real-people scenarios back to fictional cards.

  • Materials / Timer

    Print decks, posted step cards, and timeline cues.

  • Disclosure Buddy

    If a camper discloses after group, offers pass and taps nurse or unit lead per escalation ladder.

Safety guardrail: Fictional scenarios only — no real group-chat screenshots, no diagnosing, no processing private stories in the circle. Redirect disclosure to a counselor sidebar.

Safety Checklist

Core rule: Fictional practice only. If a camper discloses a diagnosis or crisis, thank them, offer pass, and talk after group — do not group-process.

Setup Walkthrough

This is what should be prepared before campers arrive.

Best prep: 45–60 minutes before session
Group kit checklist
Room setup: 15 minutes
  1. 0–5
    Safety scan

    Check space, exits, surfaces, and quiet corners for pass.

  2. 5–8
    Table layout

    One group kit per table; co-counselors assigned.

  3. 8–11
    Post step cards

    Notice → Pause → Move visible for every group.

  4. 11–15
    Limit choices

    Start with 4 story cards, 4 body cards, 4 move cards per group.

No-Prep Fallback

If you did not prepare in advance, run the simplified version.

Tradeoff: The no-prep version works, but counselors must hold the loop verbally and keep scenarios fictional.

What you need

20-minute no-prep version

  1. 0–3
    Frame

    Opening script — fictional only; pass is OK.

  2. 3–7
    Story

    Counselor holds up 1 finger — pick a brain story from the verbal list (mess hall, partner pick, etc.).

  3. 7–11
    Body

    2 fingers — name stomach tight, face hot, restless, or pass.

  4. 11–15
    Move

    3 fingers — one helpful move: breath, ask counselor, pass.

  5. 15–20
    Close

    Each camper picks one move they might try today — or pass.

Verbal scenario starters: mess hall line · new activity sign-up · cabin joke · partner pick · trying something new.

Opening Script

"Sometimes your brain tells loud stories — like 'everyone is judging me' or 'I'm going to mess up.' Those stories feel real. They aren't always true, and they aren't always helpful."

"Today we practice three steps: notice the story, pause, and try one helpful move. Everything we practice is fictional — made-up camp situations, not your private life."

"Pass is always OK. You can point to a card, pick for your group, or pass — no explaining needed."

45-Minute Session

Use the timer if helpful. It saves nothing outside this device.

Facilitation Timer
45:00

Use this as a rough guide, not a rigid rule.

  1. 0–5
    Opening

    Script; pass is OK; explain Notice → Pause → Move.

  2. 5–12
    Story pick

    Each group picks one brain story card (fictional).

  3. 12–18
    Body name

    Match a body feeling card to the story.

  4. 18–25
    Move pick

    Pick one helpful move card.

  5. 25–35
    Scenario practice

    Scenario card — practice the loop in trios.

  6. 35–40
    Share-out

    Optional sentence starter; pass OK.

  7. 40–45
    Close

    Headcount; counselor debrief prep.

Detailed Activity Walkthrough

Part 1: Story pick

Each group spreads brain story cards face up. Pick one fictional story that fits a made-up camp moment — not a real private event.

Leader line: "What's the loud story your brain might tell in this scenario? Point to a card or pass."
Part 2: Body name

Match a body feeling card to the story. Offer neutral options — tight, hot, restless, quiet, tired — not only scared.

Leader line: "What might your body alarm feel like? Pick one card or pass."

Part 3: Move pick

Pick one helpful move — not the perfect fix, just one small try. Pass counts.

Leader line: "One move that might help — breathe, ask a counselor, step away, or pass this round."

Part 4: Scenario practice

Trios use one scenario card. Walk through notice → pause → move aloud with fictional characters only.

"The brain story might be __________."

"The body might feel __________."

"One helpful move could be __________."

"Could this be a maybe-not-true guess? __________."

Part 5: Share-out (optional)

Groups may share one fictional example using sentence starters — or pass entirely.

Executive-Function Supports

Use these supports for everyone. Do not make them look like accommodations for one camper.

Core principle: Make the loop visible — story, body, move — with limited choices and pass always OK.
Limit choices first

Start with four story cards, four body cards, and four move cards per group. Keep the full deck nearby.

Counselor line: "Pick one story card — or pass and point to the one your neighbor chose."

Use step cards + Now / Next
  1. 1
    Notice — pick a brain story card.
  2. 2
    Pause — one breath.
  3. 3
    Body — name a body feeling card.
  4. 4
    Move — pick one helpful move card.
  5. 5
    Practice — fictional scenario in trios.
  6. 6
    Share — optional sentence starter or pass.
Offer low-demand roles

Options: story spotter, body namer, move picker, scenario reader, inclusivity support, counter, pass model.

Counselor line: "You can point to a card someone else reads — that still counts."

Pair with co-counselor

Camper may pass on trio work and pair with a counselor for one fictional scenario walk-through.

Thought–Feeling–Move Card Menu

On-screen reference — same cards as print decks. Keep starting piles small.

Brain story cards
  • Everyone is judging me

    Feels like all eyes are on you.

  • I'm going to mess up

    Worried you'll fail at something new.

  • They don't want me here

    Feels like you don't belong in the group.

  • Nobody picked me on purpose

    Feels like exclusion was intentional.

  • I'll say the wrong thing

    Worried you'll embarrass yourself.

  • This is going to be awful

    Brain predicts the worst outcome.

  • I have to be perfect

    Feels like one mistake ruins everything.

  • They're laughing at me

    Feels like others are making fun of you.

Body feeling cards
  • Stomach tight

    Belly feels knotted or heavy.

  • Face hot

    Cheeks warm; maybe flushed.

  • Heart fast

    Pulse feels quick.

  • Want to leave

    Body says "get out of here."

  • Frozen / stuck

    Hard to move or speak.

  • Quiet inside

    Went still or shut down.

  • Restless

    Can't sit still; fidgety.

  • Tired heavy

    Low energy; drained.

Helpful move cards
  • Ask a counselor

    Get an adult nearby — no explaining required.

  • Take one breath

    One slow breath in, one out.

  • Use a script

    Say a practiced line ("I'm not ready to share").

  • Step away and come back

    Short break, then rejoin.

  • Name it to yourself

    Quietly label the brain story.

  • Pick a maybe-not-true guess

    Question whether the story is fully true.

  • Stand near a friend

    Move beside someone you trust.

  • Pass this round

    Skip without explaining.

Camper Role Cards

  • Story Spotter

    Points to or reads one brain story card.

  • Body Namer

    Matches a body feeling card to the story.

  • Move Picker

    Chooses one helpful move card.

  • Scenario Reader

    Reads the fictional scenario aloud.

  • Inclusivity Support

    Reminds the group: pass OK, fictional only.

  • Timekeeper

    Watches the timer for each round.

Make roles flexible: A camper may trade roles, share a role, or pass — the role is support, not a test.

Redirect Scripts

Camper overshares

"Thank you for trusting us — let's keep the rest private. Pass is OK."

Tears / upset

"You can pass and sit with a counselor. No explaining needed."

"I have anxiety" / diagnosis disclosure

"Thank you for telling me. Let's talk after group — you can pass now."

Dominance / teasing about picks

"We practice on fictional cards, not real people. Reset — pass is OK on the next one."

Camper says a thought is stupid or wrong

"We question gently — maybe-not-true guess — we don't label thoughts stupid here."

Camper refuses every round

"Pass counts. Want to be the official card holder or timer for the group?"

Homesickness or tears

"You can pass and sit with a counselor — no explaining needed."

Share-Out

Optional — pass is always OK. Groups may share one fictional example using a sentence starter, or pass entirely.

"In our fictional scenario, the brain story might be __________."

"The body might feel __________."

"One helpful move we picked was __________."

"One maybe-not-true guess could be __________."

Opt-in: No camper has to share. Pointing to a card someone else read counts as participation.

Debrief + Close

Counselor-only close — no camper mental-health processing in group.

Closing line: "Brain stories can be loud — you practiced noticing, pausing, and one helpful move. You can use that at camp without sharing private stuff."

Brain Story Cards (8)

Body Feeling Cards (8)